Bertha was too big to walk, so Meredith started her off on an underwater treadmill (Picture: PA Real Life) With the vet agreeing Bertha could not undergo surgery to fix her leg until her weight was under control, Meredith devised a weight loss programme, supported by gentle exercise and thyroid medication.

She reached her 5lb goal a year into her diet, and Allison says ‘her vet is super happy with her at the moment.’ What Bertha looks like now (Picture : Allison Hackett /SWNS.COM) She continues, ‘Now she can go up and down the stairs, she can stand on her hind legs, she can run around.