England : Thursday, 27 January 2011 (Local Time)
Last year, dog lover Layla Moore in Staffordshier was told her female Labrador Jet would die if she didn't take drastic action to help her lose weight.
But yesterday, Layla was celebrating after Jet was named Hills Pet Slimmer of the Year.
The prize-winning pooch, who used to tip the scale at a portly 58kg (127lb), has shed 24kg (52lb), nearly half her previous weight.
Vets say the weight loss will have added years to her life.
Eleven-year-old Jet, who now weighs in at a trim 34kg (75lb), had piled on the pounds by mopping up food dropped on the kitchen floor and joining her owners in enjoying a drink of milk and a biscuit.
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In February, vets warned Jet's weight could lead to an early death and gave advice to help her shed the pounds.
Layla, along with husband Paul and their four children, aged between four and 15, stopped feeding Jet treats, switched to a healthier dog food and started taking her for more walks.
Within weeks, the weight started to drop off.
Layla, from Seddon Road, Meir, said: "We were told Jet really needed to lose weight and she was starting to grunt.
"So we put her on a diet.
"I told the kids we could keep her longer if we stopped the treats and if anything drops on the floor they must pick it up.
"We want her for as long as we possibly can. She's a champion."
While it was clear the healthier routine was working wonders, Jet's family never imagined it would make their pet an award-winner.
Layla said: "I can't believe it. I'm really shocked but I'm pleased for her because she's an amazing dog and she's got a brilliant temperament.
"When she was losing weight, we weren't thinking about awards. She's one of these happy dogs but it's nice for her to win this award."
After winning the competition, which was set up by vets Rogers, Brock and Barker, Jet was presented with a certificate and £100 of special diet dog food.
According to Lucy Turner, a veterinary nurse at the Longton branch of Rogers, Brock and Barker, the ideal weight for a Labrador Jet's size was around 28kg, with a life expectancy between 10 and 14.
Lucy said: "Jet came to us because she had a lump on her neck but I said to Layla that she was overweight and it could take two years off her life.
"This is the largest amount a dog has ever lost in our clinic. A dog Jet's size should be around 28kg and she was double that.
"I think that's what shocked Layla into making Jet lose the weight.
"We put her on a diet that was high in fibre and low in fat and cut out the treats.
"The family have done fantastically well. It's totally life-changing for them.
"We want to raise awareness and to get people thinking about the size of their pets."
Rachelle Roulston, a veterinary territory manager for Hills, presented Layla and Jet with the award.
She said: "She's just taken everything on board and changed her lifestyle and I think it's amazing.
"We're trying to get people to enrol on weight loss programmes because people are not aware that their pet is overweight, or alternatively they don't see it as an issue.
"Running a competition gets everyone involved."
Story and Foto from : www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk (reported by James Truswell)
