Despite the challenges and schedules of veterinary school, Annika Bram is fostering a very overweight Golden Retriever and giving her a new lease on life. Neglected, obese, and suffering from pneumonia and hyperthyroidism, Frannie the Golden Retriever was on death’s door when Bram became aware of the dog’s plight. As it happened, Bram’s Golden Retriever Georgia, who had just died, was also extremely overweight when Bram adopted her. She helped Georgia to lose 85 pounds in their 5 years together. Learning from the rescue organization Rover’s Retreat that Frannie was going to be euthanized, Bram felt that Georgia had brought this dog to her because she knew she was the person who could take care of her. The 24-year-old offered to foster Frannie, who she learned weighed 125 pounds, double the weight of a normal Golden Retriever. At first, Frannie was so heavy she couldn’t support herself, so Bram had her sitting over a crate so she could safely learn to put weight back on her legs. With the help of these rehab activities, thyroid medication, and a strict diet, the pounds started dropping. At the end of February, Frannie was able to run for the first time, chasing a bouncing tennis ball like a normal pooch should. As the months have passed and the pounds have melted away, a sparkling personality has emerged in Frannie that makes Bram certain that she’s found a partner for life. Bram has applied for adoption of Frannie, whose daily walk is already exceeding a half-mile as she continues her rehab.
