Obie The Obese Dachshund Gets A Tummy Tuck!

It's big news when a Dachshund is featured on CNN and we couldn't be prouder of 'Obie' the Obese Dachshund for losing all that weight.  Way to go Obie!  Keep up with him on his facebook page:  Biggest Loser, Doxie Edition.


Related:  All About Obie

Obie The Obese Dachshund Custody Case Settled

Splish, Splash!  Obie from his facebook page

 

We're quite sure that you recall Obie, the Obese Dachshund who has been at the center of a custody battle between his foster mom, Nora Vanatta, and his rescue group, Oregon Dachshund Rescue.  Lawyers and all involved met yesterday and it has been agreed that Obie will stay with his foster mom permanently.  Excerpt from Oregon Live:

 

Attorneys from both parties confirmed the settlement but said a confidentiality clause prevents them from commenting publicly on the terms of the agreement.
“Even though there’s a lot more to it than that, that’s the most I can say,” says animal law attorney Geordie Duckler, who represents Oregon Dachshund Rescue. “The terms of the settlement I can’t disclose. The only term we’re agreeing we can disclose is that Vanatta keeps the dog.”
The case was resolved relatively peacefully, and both parties are going their separate ways, says James McCurdy, who represents Vanatta.
Vanatta, an emergency medical technician who worked previously as a certified veterinary technician, took in the dog in August after responding to a plea from ODR. She promptly put him on a diet, and his weight-loss plan attracted national attention, including an appearance on the "Today Show" in September.
In October, ODR filed suit in Washington County Circuit Court, demanding that Vanatta return Obie to the rescue.
ODR founder Jenell Rangan claimed that Vanatta was supposed to take the dog only on a temporary basis. She maintained that Vanatta exploited him because of his weight, and failed to provide proper medical care for him, putting his public persona above his health.
After hearing testimony from both parties, a judge ruled at the October hearing that Obie should remain with Vanatta temporarily because he had no evidence either side could prove ownership. Obie has been staying with Vanatta since then.

Ms Vanatta also posted on Obie's facebook page yesterday:

Yes, you have heard correctly that a settlement with ODR has been reached. Obie went to his lawyer's office today and made it official. Today is a wonderful day in Obie's journey. Obie gets to stay with me and his brothers and continue his legacy. I cannot discuss the details of the case and ask for respect with that piece of the settlement. I know Team Obie will be happy to continue to support his journey to a healthier dog. Here's to the next stage of Obie's life! Thank you all for your amazing and endless support!

Obie has lost an astounding 28 pounds since he has been fostered.  He most recently weighed in at 49 pounds, down from 77.  Keep up with Obie at facebook.

Related:  Obie the Obese Dachshund

Obie The Obese Dachshund To Stay In Current Foster Home - For Now

Video via KATU.com

As we know, there is a fierce custody battle over Obie the Obese Dachshund.  Yesterday in court, a judge decided that Obie is to stay in his current foster home with foster mom Nora Vanatta - he will not be returned to Oregon Dachshund Rescue (ODR) - for now.  A lack of paperwork and contracts seems to be at the center of the decision. 
ODR will continue their efforts to get Obie back, as the case will go to full litigation, possibly even a trial.
While we feel that Obie is getting the best of care with his foster mom, and that he is probably better off with her for now, we do understand some of the concerns that ODR has.  While we don't see that the national television shows that Obie appeared on were "sensationalistic," we were honestly a bit shocked that Obie was allowed to travel across the country in the condition that he was in - something that ODR may have originally agreed to.  But ODR was not aware that he would be traveling in cargo on the long plane rides.  This may not have been the best decision for Obie.
In the meantime - all of this will work out in the courts, and we ask that dog lovers everywhere relax and take a deep breath.  Comments such as this one on ODR's facebook page are simply uncalled for:  "You and your sleazy, ambulance chasing lawyer should crawl back into the hole you came out of."
Let's just remember that the Obie's well-being is really what's important right now.  He's actually pretty lucky - folks are fighting over him to give him the best of care - all dogs in need should have such a dilemma.

Keep up with Obie on his Facebook Page.

Related:  Dachshund Drama: Obie The Obese Dog At Center Of Custody Lawsuit

Dachshund Drama: Obie The Obese Dog At Center Of Custody Lawsuit

Obie and Nora Vanatta; Video no longer on net, was at:  KATU.com

We're quite sure that you remember 'Obie,' the Obese Dachshund, who we have featured many times here over the past few months through his rescue and impending stardom - appearing on national television shows including Live with Kelly and The Today Show. 

Well, as noted by our hero, British singer Morrissey, above, Obie got the fame, he got some money to help him out - now bring on the lawsuits.  Oregon Dachshund Rescue (ODR) has filed legal papers in Portland, demanding the return of Obie from his foster home.  His foster mom and caretaker, Nora Vanatta, released this statement yesterday on Obie's Facebook Page: 

Dear Obie supporters,
As you have all been following this story and supporting Obie's journey as he in turn inspires you, I must tell you of the awful news I just received.
When Drew Martin Lee initially reached out for help to get Obie out of his dire situation, Jenell Rangan recognized that she didn't have the resources to properly care for him and she publicly shared the letter. I stepped up and said that I would foster him if someone would bring him to me. I had absolutely no idea what to expect but I knew that I could help him. Patricia Malone (Bosello) volunteered to pick him up and bring him to me. I took it upon myself to take him to the vet the next day to get an exam and blood work. Linda Klein graciously stepped up and offered to pay for his first vet visit as well as start a FB page to help with the subsequent care required to rehabilitate him. I am committed to his full rehabilitation even though it will be much longer than I anticipated.
The FB page exploded with supportive people from over 20 countries and many people have donated money for his care. He became very popular and national networks contacted me and asked to share his story. I realized what an inspiration he was to people and that his story was helping so many in their own journeys to get healthy and bring awareness to the effects of obesity on people as well as their pets. The attention was overwhelming at first but I was always thinking of the mission that Obie could share and I was very careful of what people wanted to write about him. I made it clear that this was a positive thing and that it wasn't about bashing the previous owners or exploiting a fat dog. I turned down several media requests because I didn't like where they wanted to go with the story. Obie has a story and a mission to share and help other people. I am working on starting a non-profit to continue to help and inspire others in their mission to lose weight.
Jenell Rangan, owner of ODR is now demanding that I give Obie to her and actually deliver him to her lawyer's office. I must appear in court Monday morning (Washington County at 9am). She is claiming that Obie belongs to her, that I am misusing funds, and not providing proper veterinary care.
It is very upsetting that Jenell is using doxie-saving money to take him away from me especially since she has received donations and support thanks to Obie and me sharing his story. She has admitted to not being able to handle him and that he is doing well with me. He has bonded to me and Hunter and Noggin. She clearly doesn't have his best interest in mind and is only interested in him now that he is famous. I am going to fight for him and I need your continued support. I am not in a position to spend money on a lawyer but it is just not right to make Obie adjust to a new home now. I am asking for your continued support to help Obie stay with me.
Thank you,
Nora

While we would certainly like to hear more from Oregon Dachshund Rescue on this matter, the facts as known show that Ms.Vanatta has done a great job with Obie - he has lost 15 pounds, she has shielded him from sensationalist exposure, and he is getting great veterinary care.  Guess we'll all find out what happens on Monday in court.  We must add that all of this drama isn't good for anyone at this point - especially Obie.

Obie already has over 10,000 signatures on a petition at change.org supporting that he stay in his current foster home.

Keep up with Obie on his Facebook Page.

Obie The Overweight Dachshund on LIVE! with Kelly and Michael

Keep sharing the love Obie.

Keep up with this big busy guy on his facebook page. 

Obie The Overweight Dachshund On The Today Show

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We're sure you remember reading about Obie when we posted about him a few weeks ago, but the big guy is making it big with an appearance on The Today Show this week!  Thanks to our pals 'Oscar' and 'Hans' for sending in the video.  They write:

HEY Joey and Rowdy!

We were all excited and told our humans to set the DVR to tape OBIE the obese Dachshund, who was to appear on the Today show this morning! Unfortunately, his segment was bumped for a special statement by the President. We were VERY bummed, until we went to the Today Show website and found the video!  If WE ran the Today show, we would have just led off the show with this VIP!

We are really pulling for Obie. Oscar has struggled with his weight, too, (what doxie hasn't?)  although it's nothing like Obie's issues. Go Obie Go!

Stay long and awesome,
Oscar and Hans


Keep up with Obie on his facebook page.

It's So Unfair, We Want To Cry

The human race is going mad and our hearts are weeping.  Now, we've seen a lot of Dachshunds over the years, tens of thousands of them, and we have never, EVER, seen such an overweight Dachshund.  Why, oh why....we're simply at a loss for words.

Keep up with 'AJ,' now known as 'Obie,' the 77-pound Dachshund surrendered on August 18, 2012, who is on a diet to lose 40+ pounds, at his facebook page:  Biggest Loser, Doxie Edition

Via his page:

Our story began when a relative of this boys family stepped in and asked for help. Aging owners with failing health were simply loving him with food. They just couldn't say "no" to those big brown eyes. Through many tears, the owners relinquished him. It is very frustrating and sad but we are thrilled to be able to help him, and now moving on with his new life.
Wonderful Patricia volunteered to pick him up in WA and deliver him to me in Portland, OR. I had no idea what to expect. I thought a basset hound would show up or that he didn't really weigh 70 lbs. Well, he arrived Sat. Aug. 18th and to my astonishment he IS a dachshund and he actually weighs 77lbs. He is extremely sweet and loving. He was obviously loved and is a joy to work with. I applaud anyone who takes on the task of rehabilitating an emotionally or physically abused dog. 
He is a 5 year old standard dachshund. He is on a special diet to lose the weight and get back to being a happy dog. We think that he should weigh about 30 to 40 pounds. I immediately took him to the vet for blood work and it miraculously came back normal. I plan to do swim therapy with him and treadmill work once he starts to lose a little. He will need a dental and may eventually need to have excess skin surgically removed. 

 

Read more on his facebook page.

Dachshund Love Stories and The 2008 Midwest Dachshund Festival

Meet rescues 'Obie' and 'Blue,' and their humans, Roger and Suzan Dahlenburg, who hail from Henning, Illinois, near Danville. In the past year, the Dahlenburgs have brought these two rescues into their country home, joining 'Rusty,' a dachshund mix, and 'Lilly' the cat. Like your 'Long and Short of it All' hosts, they plan on attending DRNA's 12th Annual Midwest Dachshund Festival this coming Saturday in Danville, maybe we'll see them there! Read all about Obie and Blue at The Commercial-News.



For more information on this coming Saturday's Midwest Dachshund Festival, check out Dachshund Rescue of North America. Woof!