Dachshund slims down to win prize

Too many treats and too long curled up in front of the fire soon took its toll on sausage dog Trudie.

Before long, the dachshund was weighing in at a roly poly 23lbs.

But the seven-year-old now has a spring in her step again after losing almost 9lbs in just a year.

See more pictures of Trudie by clicking on the image on the right.

Trudie has also triumphed over more than 170 other pets across the country to be named one of 12 winners in a national weight loss contest.

The dog belongs to 81-year-old Margaret Elliott, who handed her over to her daughter Sue Bright, of Long Knowle Lane, Wednesfield, in 2010 due to ill health. Before then, too many well-intentioned treats, generous portions and a few too many hours curled up inside the house led to Trudie's weight gain.

Mrs Bright, a teaching assistant at the children's centre at New Cross Hospital, said: "Trudie was getting lots of treats when she was living with my mother. And because mum is elderly, Trudie wasn't getting as much exercise as perhaps she should.

"So when she came to me I took her to the vets and we put her on a diet. She also exercises more now because she has to keep up with my two border collies Mitzie and Sinn. She's much healthier and much happier now."

The dachsund was treated at Cornerstone Veterinary Group in Wolverhampton and triumphed in the Royal Canin Weigh-In Club competition, which celebrates pets that have lostweight. Veterinary nurse Alison Miles from Cornerstone said: "Obesity is detrimental to pets' health and can shorten their lives."

Trudie now enjoys a sensible diet comprising chicken and dried food.