18/08/2026
Most of you who have followed me for a while know Georgette.
She is our Mauritian street dog who wandered into our lives as a skinny six-month-old puppy, followed us across four continents, and ultimately changed where our entire family lived because we refused to leave her behind. So yes, it is fair to say this dog is VERY loved. ❤️
On 1 December 2025, Georgette weighed 15.5kg. Her ideal adult weight is approximately 15kg, so she was pretty much exactly where she needed to be.
Then she had dental surgery and a few rotten teeth extracted.
For a few weeks she couldn't eat her normal kibble, so we switched her to soft canned food. Unfortunately for us, Miss Georgette discovered that canned food tastes considerably better than dry biscuits. 😂
Even after she recovered, she wasn't terribly interested in going back to her old food. She wanted the good stuff. And then she wanted MORE of the good stuff. If we didn't remember, trust me, she reminded us!
Of course, being the suckers that we are, we obliged.
There were the usual treats too. A little pasta and cheese. Rice with ghee. A pizza slice. Some paneer. Our neighbour would bring over a sausage for her. None of it seemed like a big deal because each individual thing was small and, after all, food is one of the ways we show love.
Meanwhile, we noticed Georgette becoming a little chubbier. The kids jokingly called her "Chubster" and "Fatty".
I noticed she was taking the stairs more slowly. Her limp seemed worse at times. She was sleeping more and wasn't as enthusiastic about chasing cars on the street anymore.
For the past 8 months, we rationalised all of it.
She's getting older.
It's winter.
We're doing fewer long beach walks.
She has arthritis (we found out 12 months ago).
Then last month I took her to the vet and had to put her on the weighing scales.
18kg. 😳
She had gone from around 15kg to 18kg.
That doesn't sound dramatic when you're thinking in human kilograms, but that's roughly a 20% increase in her body weight.
Imagine being 60kg and gaining 12kg.
Or being 75kg and gaining 15kg.
The vet was quite firm with me. Georgette already has arthritis, so carrying that additional weight means more load through already uncomfortable joints. More discomfort makes her less inclined to move, less movement reduces her energy expenditure, and gradually you create a vicious cycle of weight gain → more joint discomfort → less movement → further weight gain.
Then came the vet's instructions. 🫣
Cut her current food by 25% immediately.
Her goal is to gradually get back towards 15kg by December 2026.
As a pet mom, I was ashamed that we had been enablers.... Suddenly we weren't laughing about my little "Chubster" anymore realising the joint pain she must be inadvertently suffering as a result of the weight gain.
As a nutrition and weight-loss coach, I was slightly embarrassed because I help the whole world lose weight and reverse their joint pains and yet did not make the connection for my own fur baby!
It is fascinating how complicated we humans have managed to make weight loss?
Detoxes. Supplements. Fat burners. Fasting protocols. Cutting carbohydrates. Hormone hacks. Metabolism boosters.
Yet the fundamental principle hasn't changed.
To lose stored body fat, over time you need to consume less calories than you expend.
That doesn't mean I tell my human clients to simply slash 25% off everything they eat. Human nutrition is obviously far more nuanced. I care enormously about protein, fibre, vegetables, fruit, micronutrients, muscle mass, strength training, sleep, stress and the QUALITY of the calories being consumed.
But most of us could benefit enormously from simply looking honestly at how much we eat.
Our modern environment makes it incredibly easy to consume hundreds of calories that contribute very little nutritionally. A handful here, a treat there, takeaway, dessert, Coke, grazing while cooking, giving in to cravings during PMS, a second glass of wine at a party… none seems particularly significant in isolation.
Just like Georgette's little extras didn't.
Until they added up.
And there's another lesson here that hit me even harder.
Giving someone (or ourselves) more food isn't an act of love.
We thought we were making Georgette happy. She certainly thought we were making her happy! 😂
But if those extra portions contribute to excess weight that makes her arthritic joints hurt MORE, are we actually helping her?
❌ Sometimes love means saying no. Including to yourself.
So Georgette's portions have now been reduced by around 30%, the almost-daily treats have become 1 x week treat, and we're more committed to taking her to the beach.
No crash diet.
No punishment.
No ridiculous restriction.
Just less treats, smaller portions, regular movement and consistency.
Exactly the boring stuff that works for humans too.
Now that I have shared this publicly, I am committed and accountable socially. Which is a good thing.
I'll keep you updated on Georgette's journey back from 18kg → 15kg. Perhaps my little Mauritian rescue dog is about to become my newest Transformette. 😂❤️
Ps: If you're reading this thinking, "Actually Arpita, I've put on my own equivalent of Georgette's 20% and I know exactly how all those little extras got there…”
Perhaps it's time we had a conversation.
Pps:. Georgette would like it formally recorded that she strongly disagrees with the vet's assessment and believes canned food portions & treats should actually be increased. 🐶
