DOZENS of dog lovers have rallied around a Redditch couple who are urgently trying to raise £2,500 to give their formerly obese Beagle life-changing surgery to allow him to walk normally again.
Bob, aged 14, previously featured in The Redditch Advertiser in December last year after loosing two stone and securing fourth place in the PDSA’s national pet slimming competition Pet Fit Club.
Before Bob's dramatic weight loss.
Some 18-months ago Bob was readopted by Kate Hazzard-Smith and her husband David and whilst on a recent walk, he had a fall and tore a ligament in his back left leg.
Since his tumble, he cannot walk properly and needs essential knee surgery.
Kate said: "Bob was out in the fields running around like a loony without a care in the world when he suddenly fell down and screamed in pain."
Bob was originally brought to the UK after spending a decade on the streets of Romania but he was rarely walked, regularly ate human food and was later given to a rescue shelter.
More recent pictures of the slimmed-down pooch.
Vets also told Bob’s new owners that years on the streets and obesity were definitely a "contributing factor" to the injury.
The couple estimate they have spent around £3,000 on Bob's treatment, with includes specialist diet foot and tablets to treat a skin condition.
The surgery would set the couple back around £2,500 which Kate said they are struggling to find despite tireless fundraising.
Kate said she and her husband could not get insurance for Bob due to his age and health.
"The choices were very limited, very expensive and had so many exclusions they were not worth the paper they were written on," she said.
"Even if we had managed to get and could afford the policies offered, his current condition wouldn't have been covered."
Kate is even considering taking on a second job to help pay for the operation.
Kate added: "We are just ordinary people with ordinary jobs and trying to find that sort of money all in one go is a really daunting prospect.
"It's such a setback, this was supposed to be his happy ending at last.
"We are lucky we have so many supportive friends who are helping us with fundraising.
"It's been really hard to admit to people we can't afford it and I've had to swallow my pride to accept donations from our friends.
"We have worked so hard to get him back to good health.
"We will do anything to give Bob one last chance at a happy life. He brings joy to everyone around him."
The couple are holding car boot sales in order to boost funds and a Beagle play date fundraiser will also take place Sunday, July 3 at Hev's Happy Hounds in Tardebigge.
Playful Beagle Bob with his owner Kate Hazzard-Smith.
Almost £600 has already been raised. To make a further donation visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/bobthebeagle.
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