At over 300 pounds, a middle-aged man faced the risk of death — until an overweight dog came into his life and changed everything

Eric was told by his doctor that he had only five years to live unless he made drastic changes.

PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO

(L) A man checking his weight on a weighing scale. (R) An obese man with his pet dog. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Pablo Jeffs Munizaga Fototrekking, (R) Anna Stills)

In life, there are moments when everything seems hopeless, but it’s often these very moments that lead to unexpected transformations. Eric O’Grey, a man facing severe health issues and a bleak future, was about to embark on a journey that would change his life and the life of an unlikely companion forever. At 300 pounds, when Eric adopted an overweight shelter dog, he didn't know that decision would end up saving his life.

A dog standing behind a fence (Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Photo by Photo by Mia X) — A dog standing behind a fence in an animal shelter. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Mia X)

In a moving story featured by One Green Planet, Eric's life was hanging in the balance. At over 300 pounds, with type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and skyrocketing cholesterol, Eric was told by his doctor that he had only five years to live unless he made drastic changes. Feeling isolated and defeated, Eric reached a breaking point. "I was taking over 1,000 dollars worth of medications a month, and I just felt really uncomfortable around other people," he recalled. That’s when he consulted a nutritionist, who suggested something unexpected, like adopting a shelter dog. Eric chose Peety, a middle-aged, overweight dog who also needed help.

A person holding belly fat though their shirt (Representative Image Source: Pexels |
Towfiqu barbhuiya) — A person holding belly fat through their shirt. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Towfiqu barbhuiya)

"Over a period of time, we really formed an inseparable bond, and one that I never really experienced with another person or animal or anybody," he shared. Both carried extra weight, physically and emotionally, and both were looking for change. But through daily walks, their lives began to transform. "We began walking for at least half an hour a day, every day." The results were remarkable. Peety lost about 25 pounds, Eric shed over 140 pounds in a year, and his diabetes disappeared. He no longer needed medication. It was nothing short of a miracle. As Eric said in his video, “When people see a photo of who I was five years ago, they can’t and often don't believe that it’s me.”

Man walking dog spots something unusual. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Ljupco) — Man walking dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Ljupco)

Eric’s transformation was not just physical. His emotional growth, driven by his relationship with Peety, was just as profound. “Peety taught me absolute loyalty,” Eric said. “He looked at me in every sense as though I was the greatest person on the planet.” Their walks gave Eric a new sense of purpose. He even ran a marathon, something he once thought impossible. "One of the things that I dreamed of doing was running a full marathon, and he looked at me like, 'You can do it.'" Peety, once neglected and left to suffer in a backyard, had become the loyal companion Eric never had.

Sadly, the joy of their shared journey was short-lived. Peety fell ill, and "they discovered a really large cancerous growth on his spleen, and there was really nothing that they could do." Eric recalled the final moments, lying on the floor with Peety, knowing his beloved dog was nearing the end. “I just sat there and I held him,” Eric said. “I loved him so much.” Six months after Peety’s passing, Eric went to a shelter again. That’s where he met Jake, a playful, energetic dog ready for a fresh start. Together, they also started training for a half-marathon. “He’s the best running buddy I could possibly have,” Eric said of Jake.