PORTLAND, Oregon: Obie the formerly obese dachshund is recov- ering after surgery at an Oregon veterinary clinic that removed 2 1/2 pounds of loose skin. Owner Nora Vanatta said surgery this week at the Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin went well.

The loose skin was dragging after the dog lost 40 pounds in eight months on a diet. Obie had weighed 77 pounds. He was down to 37 before the surgery. He now weighs about 35 pounds and Vanatta wants him to lose about 5 more.

Obie fans have been following his weight loss on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BiggestLoserDoxieEdition.