Extremely obese Welsh corgi drops 16 pounds

PHOENIX, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The Arizona Humane Society said an extremely obese Welsh corgi has slimmed down from 40 pounds to a far healthier 24 pounds and is headed for a new home.

The group said Chiquita, a 3-year-old Welsh corgi, weighed 40 pounds and was considered extremely obese when she was brought to the Arizona Humane Society in Phoenix in August, and she has lost 16 pounds thanks to the diet and exercise program she was put on by rescuers, KTVK-TV, Phoenix, reported Tuesday.

"She could barely even walk around, let alone jump up on a sidewalk curb," said Ashleigh Goebel of the Arizona Humane Society. "It was really sad to watch."

"She's been on a strict weight-loss program," Goebel said. "It ended up being a tremendous success."

The society said Chiquita is now headed to a new home with Sharon Leary of Glendale. Leary said she will keep up the canine's diet and exercise schedule and she is happy to have a new "walking partner."

"They just seem to be a pretty friendly dog," Leary said. "I just fell in love with her as soon as I walked in the door."