She Called Me Fat: Overweight Dachshund Has a Weight Loss Plan

Mama says I am a few pounds overweight. She did not sugarcoat it. She just picked me up one day and said it. I am choosing to see this as tough love from someone who cares deeply about my wellbeing — and not as a personal attack.

The truth is, she is probably right. And I, Zoey the Dachshund, have a plan.

The Road Trip That Showed Me What I Could Do

When we were on our road trip, everything changed. Instead of my usual routine of one walk and a long couch session, I was getting four or five walks a day. They were short — ten to fifteen minutes each — but they added up. Me and my human (Mama calls him Daddy) were averaging around 5,000 steps per walk.

Now here is something people do not think about enough: I have four legs. My legs are also quite a bit shorter than Daddy’s. So while the step counter on his iPhone says 5,000, I am confident that I personally took at least twice that number of steps. It was a serious workout for a small dog with a long body and short little legs.

By the end of the trip I was sleeping like I had actually earned it.

My Workout Routine at Home

Back home, I have a slightly different approach to fitness. I do like to run around the yard — I will burst out the back door with real purpose and genuine momentum. The thing is, somewhere between lap one and lap two, the grass starts to look very inviting. I end up rolling in it. Then I find a sunny spot and take a proper sunbath.

I think this still counts as exercise. I am outside. I am moving. The sun is warming my back. My body is doing something.

Why This Matters for Dachshunds

An overweight dachshund is not just a size issue — it is a spine issue. Dachshunds are already prone to IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) because of our long backs and short legs. Extra weight puts more pressure on those discs. Mama knows this, which is why she said something instead of just letting it go.

Short, frequent walks are actually ideal for dachshunds. They keep the weight in check without overworking our joints, and they tire us out in the best way. The road trip proved that.

I am not promising I will stop taking sunbaths. But I am going to keep up the walking. A few pounds is nothing a dachshund with a plan cannot handle.