PODGY pooch Amber is on her way to being a super-slimmer today after losing nearly half of her body weight.Amber the Basset Hound arrived at the RSPCA animal centre in Martlesham overweight and unhappy, but since settling into her new home, she is fit and raring to go.

PODGY pooch Amber is on her way to being a super-slimmer today after losing nearly half of her body weight.

Amber the Basset Hound arrived at the RSPCA animal centre in Martlesham overweight and unhappy, but since settling into her new home, she is fit and raring to go.

Her fat days are but a distant memory after embarking on a strict diet, which has caused her weight to drop from a hefty 42 kilos to 27 kilos.

A harness had to be used to hoist the heavy hound into the back of her new owners' car but now she is almost at her target weight of 22 kilos thanks to dog diet food twice a day.

Her new proud owner, Ashleigh Irwin, 19, said since she took five-year-old Amber home, the change has been miraculous.

Miss Irwin, of Lincoln Avenue, Saxmundham, said: “We weren't looking for a dog as my partner, Ben Reeve and I have just moved into a new house.

“I was desperate for a dog but he said it was a bit too soon so we were going to wait but then we saw Amber and fell in love with her.

“My partner is obsessed with Basset Hounds so we think it was fate. We were quite lucky to see her at all as she only came out of her kennel in the RSPCA every now and then.”

Her weight loss programme began before she left the animal centre, and after several visits back and forth to the centre, as well as a few home visits, the couple were finally able to take her home for good.

Miss Irwin added: “She was absolutely huge. It was horrible to see her that way, especially when we can see what she is like now. She is very fit and loves running around. Before her legs were crippling due to her weight.

“People cannot believe it is the same dog. We live near the beach so there are plenty of places nearby to walk. She loves her food still so it was lack of exercise that was the problem.”

Do you have a story about an animal that has turned its life around? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Basset Hounds are usually about 12 to 15 inches tall and weigh 25 kilos on average.

Basset Hounds are still used for hunting in some areas of the world.

Without proper exercise, Basset Hounds are prone to obesity, which can cause arthritis, back pains and heart trouble.

The Basset Hound originated in sixth century France and is thought to be descended from the St Hubert Hounds.