Buddha died December 5, 2013

“Buddha, Nashville’s famous fat cat that became a media sensation when his story went viral across the globe from Australia to Vietnam to England, died Thursday night.

“Buddha was diagnosed as having a congenital heart defect. The way it was explained to us is that his heart walls were thickened. The weight certainly put added stress on his heart,” said Penny Adams, a volunteer with the Cat Shoppe/Dog Store in Nashville’s Berry Hill community, a retail store that manages the nonprofit Cat Shoppe Rescue Inc.

The gray and white domestic shorthair was about 6 years old.

After working out on an underwater treadmill and watching his treat intake, Buddha’s quest to lose weight inspired humans to drop a few pounds.

Adams, who also is the volunteer photographer at Metro Animal Care & Control, noticed the obese feline — then tipping the scales at 31 pounds — in a cage there on Aug. 2. His previous owner had surrendered him to the shelter after a death in the family.

Volunteers brought him to the Cat Shoppe to more closely monitor him and get the cat on a healthy weight loss regimen that included walks on an underwater treadmill three times a week at Stonewater Rehabilitation at Animalia in Franklin.

Eventually he weighed in at 24 pounds, close to his 20 pound goal. But he hadn’t been on his exercise regimen recently as his caretakers noticed that the kitty was suffering from his heart ailment. Instead, they tried to stabilize him so that he could be placed in a permanent home, but eventually he was overcome with heart disease.

“My hope is that he didn’t die in vain and that people will take feline obesity seriously”

“He loved spending his days watching birds and he enjoyed his toys. He was a very special cat and such an inspiration from so many across world who struggle to lose weight. My hope is that he didn’t die in vain and that people will take feline obesity seriously,” Adams said.

A celebration of life for Buddha is planned from 7 to 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at Monell’s Restaurant, 2826 Bransford Ave., next to The Cat Shoppe, in Nashville.”

For the original story or to see the video of Buddha using the tread mill, visit http://www.tennessean.com.

Other Related articles on Buddha:
“Buddha, Nashville’s 31.4-pound cat, to start diet and exercise” The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com

The post Heart ailment kills Buddha, the fat Nashville cat whose story went viral appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

September 14

3rd Annual Canine Summer Splash
10am-3:30pm
Sumner County YMCA – Outdoor Pool
102 Bluegrass Commons Blvd
Hendersonville, TN 37075

Cost: $15 cash per dog per session
Session I: 10am-11:30am (90 mins) Little Dogs Only (25 Ibs and Under)
Session II: 12pm-1:30pm (90 mins) Big Dogs Only (25 Ibs and Over)
Session III: 2pm-3:30pm (90 mins) All Dog Swim (Dogs of All Sizes)
Event proceeds benefit the Sumner County YMCA “Learn to Swim” Program and help Nashville Paw magazine to remain a free community resource.
Rules, weather updates and more info: http://www.nashvillepaw.com

September 21

The Music City 2013 Dog Day Festival & Mutt Strutt
9:45am Mutt Strutt
10am-4pm Dog Day Festival
Centennial Park
2500 West End Ave
Nashville, TN 37203

Bring your dog(s) and enjoy a full day of activities including contests, crafts, giveaways, training and agility clinics, food, music and hundreds of pet friendly vendors with sales items and freebies. Teddy’s Wagon will be there with adoptable pets and conducting a microchip clinic. There is also a kids zone! Don’t miss the Biggest annual dog festival in town and help support Nashville Humane Association!

Mutt strut online reservations click here.
Dog Day Festival Admission: $5, children under the age of ten are FREE with a paid adult.
More: http://www.nashvillehumane.org

September 27

Third Annual Rock n’ Roll for Pet Control
7pm-10:30pm
9717 Concord Rd.
Brentwood, TN 37027

A benefit Concert featuring: Mike Farris, Mike Younger, Bonnie Bishop to support Pet Community Center. The event, presented by Kody’s Fund, will also include a silent auction, bar and vegan buffet.
Tickets: Available online before Sept. 26 Single $30, group of four $100
More: http://www.petcommunitycenter.org

October 4

Fall Call of the Wild
6:30pm
Sound Kitchen Recording Studio
112 Seaboard Lane
Franklin, TN 37067

Tickets: Advance $45 a person/ $80 couple or $50 at the door
Come support Walden’s Puddle and enjoy food and drinks by Crave Catering, a silent auction and a special animal presentation program.
More: http://www.waldenspuddle.org/FallCall2013.pdf

October 5

Rally 4 Paws
8:30am start
Bellevue, TN

Large scale scavenger hunt around town to benefit three local animal organizations: Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue, Lovie’s Legacy and Habitat for Paws Nashville.
Tickets: Register before Sept. 7 and get $10 off per person or $25 off per car.
After Sept. 7: Registration fee is $20 per person up to 3 participants or $75 per car for 4 to 6 participants.
More: www.rally4paws.com

October 5

Freedom Farm Pet Celebration
10am-3pm
Moss Wright Park
745 Caldwell Dr.
Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Lots of vendors, pets for adoption, live music and a great opportunity to bring your pet for an outing! Benefiting Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary
More: http://www.freedomfarm.net

October 12

Barktoberfest
12pm-5pm
Animalia Health & Wellness For Animals
1973 New Hwy 96 West
Franklin, TN 37064

Don on your costumes with your dog(s) for a chance to win over $3,00 in contest prizes. Live music, food, photo booth, local rescue organizations and other vendors.
Admission: Free ($20 for costume contest entry)
For a schedule of events or more information: http://www.nashvillepaw.com
Presenting sponsor, Greymont Kennel!

October 19

Agape Animal Ball (Masquerade)
6-10pm
Events on 3rd
209 3rd Ave N.
Nashville, TN 37201

“Hosted by Gary and Cassie Chapman, the event will feature live entertainment from some of Nashville’s biggest musicians, dancing, complimentary wine and cocktails from the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres from some of the best restaurants in Nashville, and live and silent auctions featuring items from Jimmy Choo, Tiffany & Company, Elan Skin & Hair, and more!” “Don’t have a mask to wear to the most unique masquerade event in Nashville? We’ve got you covered! With the purchase of an Agape Animal Ball ticket, you will get to choose your own custom animal mask designed by a local artist…so no two animals will look alike!”
Tickets: $130-$200 depending on add ons
More: http://www.agaperescue.org

October 19

5th Annual Mars Petcare Adoption Fair
10am-3pm
Mars Petcare
315 Cool Springs Blvd.
Franklin, Tennessee

Come check out the largest adoption event in the state and take home a new companion.
More: http://www.mars.com

November 9

Puttin’ on the Dog & Cat Gala
6pm-9pm
Kennesaw Farms Clubhouse
1680 Nashville Pike
Gallatin, TN 37066

Come enjoy an evening of entertainment to benefit the Sumner County Humane Association. “There will be a silent auction, door prizes, fabulous food, and the announcement of our Pet Calendar Contest Winners!”
Tickets: $35.00 per person
More info at http://www.sumnerhumane.org.

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