Animal abuse doesn’t only come in the form of emaciated pets. Some cruelty cases involve overweight and obese dogs.

An overweight Chihuahua was abandoned on the side of Route 80 in New Jersey.

Animal control found the dog locked inside a crate which was too small for his size. He remained there as cars sped by.

Inside the crate, he couldn’t even move. And, even being next to other dogs, he was still frozen with fear.

He couldn’t even get out of his own feces and urine, the poor thing.

When Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge heard about the dog’s case, they knew they needed to help. They went to the facility and offered to help the Chihuahua get back to its healthy self.

But the dog was severely overweight.

“His story is hard to tell and even harder to imagine. Stanley lives for today, but our minds can’t help but wander to Stanley’s past. In our moments of despair, we imagine Stanley trapped on the side of the highway, watching cars speed by, scared, confused and hoping for his people to return,” the rescuers wrote.

He weighed 21 pounds.

That, incredibly, is about twice the size a dog of his breed and weight should be. Because of how heavy he was, all of his legs were severely deformed.

“All four of his legs are so badly deformed that Stanley is unable to walk,” the rescue wrote.

They look like they’re bowed out like half a pretzel. He’s unable to walk and move on his own.

“He is challenged mobility-wise, and he needs someone who can help him get around. He also needs to be on a carefully monitored diet,” Megan Brinster, Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge’s executive director, shared.

The 8-year-old Chihuahua, named Stanley, was placed in a foster home.

After spending a week at the facility, he’s finally found someone who’ll look after him and his health. His new caretaker has experience when it comes to disabled dogs and those that suffer from medical complications.

Considering his condition, it’s exactly what Stanley needed.

Stanley has lost weight.

The process wasn’t easy. He needed to be on a low-fat diet and closely supervised by his veterinarian to ensure that he was able to shed off the excess weight.

To encourage Stanley to fully embrace his new diet, his foster mom tries to give him fresh wet foods. She chooses them based on what’s healthy and appetizing for him.

Of course, Stanley still has a long way to go.

Even though he was able to lose some weight, it’s not enough. He needs to reach a healthy weight for him.

After that, his foster mom will buy a custom wheelchair for him that will enable him to move around. He will also need physical therapy.

Stanley is just like any other dog, though. The facility doesn’t know the real reason why Stanley was abandoned and left in a tiny crate. All that matters to them is how they can help Stanley be healthy again.

He’s a loving and affectionate dog. He seriously loves being close to people. However, at times, he likes to have hs own space.

The Dangers of Obesity in Dogs

While a pudgy pooch might look cute and adorable, the extra weight can put a lot of stress on their bones and joints. Plus, it increases the dog’s risk of having heart diseases, diabetes, cancer, and high blood pressure, just as with humans.

Dogs that are overweight are also more likely to experience difficulty breathing and less tolerance to heat.

Ideally, you’ll know if your dog is overweight by asking the vet’s help. However, in-between visits you can also check for signs at home.

Regardless of the breed, you should be able to feel your pet’s ribs without noticing a thick layer of fat in the area. Plus, his chest should also be wider than the abdomen. Overweight and obese dogs are likely to have no waist. Distinguishing between the chest and stomach will be difficult, too.

“His glowing smile is a reminder that we all didn’t just quit on little Stanley, right when he thought humanity had,” the rescue said.

All we can say is that we are so happy Stanley found a home with a person who loves him just the way he is, and who’s also willing to help him improve his health for a long, happy life.

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Source: Insider, The Animal Rescue Site