She's Not Hurt, Just Fat...

So, about 2-3 months ago, our little Scarlett developed an annoying habit. We have always let her on the furniture--while I love my stuff, she is family, and I just don't get making her stay down on the ground away from us, laying in some little bed. She sleeps with us and she is welcome to jump on the couches whenever she wants. Most nights, we all hang together in the living room and she is either sitting with the Rev or me. But she started having trouble jumping up on the couches and wouldn't even try to jump up on the bed. She would try and try and I thought she was just being dramatic. Once or twice, she even yelped and seemed to be favoring a leg after trying to jump. But the leg didn't seem tender when you touched it and otherwise she was fine. And for the most part, even though it took a few tries, eventually she would manage to jump up onto the couch. We kind of just thought that's weird, but didn't really make much of it.

Fast forward a few months, and we visit the vet for her checkup. The Rev brings her home, with this diagnosis--she's not hurt, just fat...say what, I know the vet did not send my kid home with a book about being chubby?!?! We feed her less food than the bag specifies and she doesn't eat any extra food, no people food, no scraps and except for the occasional rawhide chew, no treats. I mean she's not the most active, but really, my little heifer can't jump because she is about 3 pounds overweight. Have we failed as parents? Are the other dogs at the dog park gonna make fun of her? Will we have to scratch out the "Diva" on her food bowl and replace it with "Chubby"? We've cut her back on the food, which leads to the saddest look on her face. I'll keep you posted...

P.S. She's still pretty stinkin' cute!