Bentley has been chosen as the first-place ambassador in the Hill’s Pet Slimmer Competition for 2023.
“I saw Bentley for the first time when he was a puppy. It was love at first sight and he has been a part of our family ever since,” said pet mom Petro Claassen.
She said the nine-year-old Jackshund has a loving personality and is overall happy but can sometimes be stubborn.
“In mid-2022, we noticed Bentley was displaying some odd behaviour regarding having difficulty moving and jumping. He stopped taking frequent walks and would lick or chew his joints.
“We went to our vet Dr Garith Newby at Selpark Veterinary Clinic.
“After examining Bentley, he stated Bentley had signs and symptoms of arthritis. He recommended we help Bentley reach a healthy weight to manage his arthritis and improve his quality of life,” she explained.
That is when they introduced the family to the programme.
Hundreds of vets run the Hill’s Slimmer Programme in South Africa and Namibia and support pet parents and their pets on the slimming journey.
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The combination of clinically proven weight loss food with regular weigh-ins and expert advice has helped thousands of dogs and cats get their ideal weight.
“To enter this competition, you must submit your completed and signed record card or electronic weight loss graph, a testimonial, and reasonable quality before and after photographs of your pet.
“We took the brave first step in enrolling Bentley in August 2022,” explained Claassen.
The family stuck to a strict diet, weighed out each portion, walked at least five days a week and took Bentley to the vet for weekly or fortnightly weigh-ins to track his progress.
Hill’s selected Bentley as one of the top ten finalists and awarded him with a certificate of achievement, three months’ supply of Hill’s food and a party at the vet along with treats, champagne, flowers and gifts.
A panel of judges then picked Bentley as the first-place ambassador out of the pool of finalists, and he won his pet parent and the practice assisting staff member R10 000 each.
“I am proud to say that Bentley has reached and exceeded his goal weight and lost 5.1 kilograms! “He has comfortably settled into his eating plan, goes for long walks and has minimal health concerns. Bentley is living his best life, and the only thing he has gained in the past couple of months is an ego and attitude.
“Thank you, Dr Newby and team and thank you Hill’s,” said Claassen.
