On one of our routine visits with Charlie, the golden cocker spaniel, to Barrington Road Veterinary Clinic, Altrincham, Valerie (the Vet) mentioned the idea of enrolling Charlie with the Weight Management Clinic at Liverpool Universities Leahurst Campus, to embark on a weight loss programme. Valerie explained that the whole programme was free of charge and would, if we were determined, reduce Charlie’s weight from the almost 25kg which he was, to something like 15kg which he should be. Loving Charlie the way we do, and at almost 10 years of age, it didn’t take my wife and I long to agree.
In the summer of 2012 off we went (with Charlie of course) to Leahurst. We had an appointment for 1pm, and thought maybe after half an hour or so having received advice and guidance re Charlie’s future, we all would be on our way. How wrong we were. We were met by Shelley the veterinary nurse and taken to a consultation room where we received the most comprehensive advice on how Charlie’s weight could be reduced. I must say at this point, Shelley’s love of animals was very apparent in the way she dealt with Charlie. He’s a nervous character, but soon became comfortable under Shelley’s control. Charlie was weighed, photographed from many angles and after a while taken for body scans.
Some 3-4 hours after arriving at Leahurst, Charlie was ready for home. Shelley armed us with guidance literature to assist in the programme, and an amount of Veterinary food to start off Charlie on his new diet.
I must say, Charlie really enjoyed his new food (Royal Canin Satiety). The difficult bit for us (me that is), was avoiding the “tit-bits”. We committed ourselves to very accurately weighing out the amount Shelley had advised for Charlie’s daily amount – and stuck at it!! Initially we mixed the new food with his old version until after a week we fed him purely the new. I’m sure after a day or two Charlie thought that was only his starter, but he soon became accustomed. What was of help, was the encouragement we got from Shelley and from Valerie throughout. Every couple of weeks we took Charlie to be weighed at Barrington Road, and on each occasion, bar one, there was weight loss. Shelley invited us back to Leahurst after 6 months to check his progress, which she found satisfactory. Before the summer of 2013 Charlie weighed 15.5kg – fantastic!!!
Almost 2 years on, a fighting-fit 15-16kg Charlie is charging around all day long. A far cry from the chunky lad he was, thanks to the help (and the push) we had from Leahurst. A big thank you to all.
