All it takes is one individual to instill the belief that change is attainable. For Buddy, that inspiration came from Jalessa!
When this 140-pound pup walked into a veterinary clinic in Kansas, it caused quite a stir. The staff was taken aback by Buddy’s weight and how little he resembled a typical dog.
He was on the brink of being put down as no one thought he could recover from his dire circumstances.
Nevertheless, Jalessa held onto her faith.
An Inspirational Weight Loss Adventure
Unfortunately, Buddy’s prior owners overlooked his condition, overfeeding him to the extent that he could barely stand or walk.
As a result of his excessive weight, his ankle bone was utterly crushed.
“While I was working at a veterinary clinic in Kansas, a client brought in their dog. He weighed over 140 pounds, and his ankle bone was fractured due to the weight. At that point, we really thought he would not recover,” Jalessa shared with Cuddle Buddies.
The truth is, Buddy wasn’t always hungry; he just had unrestricted access to food and continuously consumed it.
“He didn’t resemble any kind of dog; he was completely spherical. He had an enormous amount of weight. He used to scoot around and couldn’t even stand,” she elaborated.
But, when Jalessa finally crossed paths with him, she made the decision to take action.
Even with others suggesting that caring for Buddy would be futile, she remained resolute. Jalessa adopted this gentle giant without hesitation, and what followed was nothing short of miraculous!
The two ventured into a fresh start, prepared for a new recovery path together. All they had to do was take that initial step!
To begin with, Jalessa restricted his food intake and crafted a proper meal program for her furry friend. Then, it was time to mend that injured leg!
Buddy underwent surgery, and he recovered successfully. Though it was a lengthy and challenging journey filled with love and dedication, he eventually prevailed.
Months after being adopted, Buddy began to walk slowly. Initially, he could only walk short distances and often paused between each session, but his improvements were undeniable… until, gradually, he underwent a complete transformation!
A Transformed Companion
With a little motivation from his mother, Buddy not only shed a bit of weight but an astounding 80 pounds!
That’s correct!
This extraordinary dog lost more than half of his weight through an inspiring journey, all thanks to that one dedicated person who refused to give up on him. Now, he couldn’t be happier!
“I’m incredibly grateful that Buddy chose me to share life with. Watching him grow (or shrink, in this case) has been an incredible journey for both of us,” Jalessa expressed on Instagram.
Currently, Buddy can’t get enough of running and experiencing new adventures with his mom.
He adores exploring nature. You can instantly tell he’s an outdoor enthusiast, yet he’s a complete lap dog at home. Buddy has adjusted wonderfully to his new surroundings and is now happier than ever.
He even enjoys being a loving brother to his feline sibling, happily sharing his cozy dog bed.
Follow Buddy’s incredible journey on his official Instagram.
