Obese dachshund drops 43 pounds

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The owner of an Ohio dachshund that once tipped the scales at 56 pounds said the dog is down to a healthy 13 pounds.

Brooklyn Burton, owner of Dennis the dachshund, said the pooch had packed on the pounds while living with her uncle and eating table scraps. But a combination of diet, exercise and surgery to remove excess skin has helped him shed 43 pounds and reach a healthy weight for a dog of his size and breed. A Facebook page chronicled his journey.

The owner said Dennis was down to 29 pounds just over a year ago and currently weighs in at 13 pounds.

"He now can go up and down the steps; he was never able to do that," Burton told WSYX-TV.

Burton thanked University of Ohio veterinarians and donations from the public for making Dennis' transformation possible.

Burton said she hopes Dennis' story will help inspire other dog owners to keep their pooches from getting too portly.

"We should not be feeding dogs people food and overfeeding them and giving them excessive amount of treats. And just like humans, they need proper diet and exercise to live a good healthy life," she said.

She said Dennis will undergo his final surgery this month to remove excess skin from his shoulders and rear end.