An inspirational dog in Oregon is winning the battle of the bulge while his owner is winning the battle of his custody.
Obie, a daschund, owes all his weight-loss success to his foster mom, Nora Vanatta, who has just won a court battle to keep him in her care.
When Vanatta began caring for him, Obie weighed a whopping 77 pounds, three times what a normal daschund should weigh.
After starting a rigorous diet plan, detailed in a Facebook page dedicated to Obie's weight-loss battle, donations to help with his medical bills began to arrive.
This fanfare caught the attention the Oregon Daschund Rescue Group, who sued Vanetta for exploiting Obie.
Vanatta said she didn't know she was adopting a famous dog, and after a court settlement has allowed her to keep her pudgy pet, she is relieved she and Obie can finally move on.
"It was just imperative that I fought for him. I think when they brought the lawsuit against me they thought I would just hand him over," the proud pet owner said.
Vanatta said she does not think Obie would have lived much longer had they not begun the diet plan. She said that Obie is happy now and people can tell he is doing well.
The now-49-pound Obie still has 10 more pounds to go before he reaches his weight goal.
Vanatta said she hopes to give Obie skin reduction surgery in the near future to make it easier for him to exercise.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:10 GMT
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:23 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:23:12 GMT
For the second time in one week, officers from the PSPCA are rescuing cats from another hoarding situation.17 cats have been rescued so far from a rowhome on the 2000 block of Margaret Street.
For the second time in one week, officers from the PSPCA are rescuing cats from another hoarding situation.17 cats have been rescued so far from a rowhome on the 2000 block of Margaret Street.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:20:21 GMT
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:56:59 GMT
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:55 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:55:15 GMT
Bensalem police have arrested the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in. They previously released a series of suspect photos to help in the search.
Bensalem police have arrested the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in. They previously released a series of suspect photos to help in the search.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:58 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:58:16 GMT
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
