Picture, if you can, a 32-pound Chihuahua, a dog so fat it could barely walk or catch its breath.
For a pooch that typically weighs between 4 and 6 pounds, this is the canine equivalent of an 800-pound human.
Or imagine the German shepherd that weighed in at 115 pounds - so heavy it ruptured ligaments in both its legs.
It seems man's best friend is being dogged by one of his most relentless enemies: fat.
Veterinarians say dog obesity has reached staggering proportions, with three of five adult pooches carrying extra pounds or likely to do so.
``It is the number one nutrition-related disease among dogs,'' says veterinarian John Kelly of Seattle's Elliott Bay Animal Hospital.
A long-standing problem that has grown worse over time, canine obesity is fueled by the same forces that have long hounded humans - an excess of rich foods and a lack of exercise.
Kelly complains of dog owners who return home after a busy day at the office and reward Rover, not with a romp in the park, but with biscuits and high-calorie dog food.
They don't realize the consequences of excess weight, which are much the same for dogs as they are for people: compromised cardiac function, respiratory ailments, diabetes, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders and skeletal stresses.
So the American Animal Hospital Association and Ralston Purina have produced a variation on the public health campaigns that have convinced droves of people to diet and head for the gym.
Today's fourth annual ``National Rib Check Day,'' better known as Fat Dog Day, is a case in point. Veterinarians will provide free fitness screenings for dogs in cities across the country. They'll teach dog owners how to determine if their animals are correctly proportioned - look for an ``hourglass figure'' - and offer tips for slimming down.
The Seattle event, staffed by veterinarians from three local animal hospitals, will be held in Volunteer Park, behind the Seattle Asian Art Museum, from 10 a.m. to noon. In addition to fitness screenings, there will be canine agility and fly-ball demonstrations, an obstacle course for nimble animals and a competition to name ``Seattle's Fittest Dog.'' Contestants will be judged on body condition, grooming, overall appearance and behavior. The winner bags a trophy, a $100 cash prize and a year's supply of dog food.
Kelly, local spokesman for the event, says more than half of the dogs he sees in his practice are overweight. But even that didn't prepare him for a 32-pound Chihuahua.
``It looked like that box,'' Kelly says, pointing to a perfectly square cardboard carton. ``I'd never seen anything like it.''
Though most weight problems are less extreme, a good many of Kelly's charges could stand to lose five or 10 pounds. Since good habits start early, for dogs as well as people, veterinarians now frown upon plump, roly-poly puppies, no matter how irresistible they may look.
``Lean and mean,'' Kelly says. ``You want your puppy to be lean and mean.''
Is your pooch pudgy?
Here's how to tell if your dog is fat:
Place both thumbs on your dog's backbone and run your fingers along the rib cage. If you can't feel the bone of each rib with ease, there may be too much fat.
Stand directly over your dog and look for a waistline. If you don't see an hourglass figure, experts say your pooch is probably carrying too many pounds.
Check your dog's profile for a clearly defined tummy tucked up behind the rib cage. If you don't see it, he's probably overweight.
What to do if Fido is fat:
Consult your veterinarian if you suspect the problem may be serious.
Get your dog moving. Begin with three 20-minute walks a week and work up from there. Gradually increase the speed and duration of workouts. If the dog starts lagging or panting excessively, slow down or stop for a break.
Try a reduced-fat, low-calorie, high-fiber dog food. Make the switch gradually to help your dog's taste buds adjust.
Give your dog time and attention instead of treats and table scraps.
Measure your dog's food and try smaller, more frequent meals instead of one large one.
Indoor games for fun and fitness:
Retrieve the ball - Position your dog at the bottom of a carpeted staircase, throw the ball up the stairs and have your dog retrieve it. Repeat for a great cardiovascular workout.
Hide and seek - Hide your dog's favorite toy and entice him to search for it over and over again.
Canine calisthenics - Repeat commands like ``sit'' and ``down.'' A perfect push-up for your pooch.
Soccer - Put a soccer ball on the floor and try to keep it away from your dog. Let him get the ball occasionally to maintain interest.
