I'm the worst...

 Whack, thwack, bash!!!  Not really, but I couldn't resist.   My vet always tells me not to measure food and get crazy over it, but rather look at the dog's condition and raise and lower amounts to feed based on that.  So, I periodically feel my dog's rib cages and if I've been doing it right, I can feel their ribs (no fat pads!) but not see them.  Also, I look at them from above (that should be easy on a Corgi lol) and make sure I see a waistline after the rib cage.  Over the years, that has worked out better for us.

 Her waist, when you look down goes in, but she has no tuck up. I also can't feel her ribs, she is extremely hairy. Thats just my excuse.

I'm sure Tootsie doesn't think there's a problem!!!   :)

That's quite a bit of weight to drop!  Take your time and with a little effort you'll have her down before you know it.  Does she enjoy her walks?

Oh, please!  You are not a bad mom.  You took her to the vet.  Got the news & you're taking action.  I know of this person who has a 46 pound Cav.  He will not take it to the vet because he can't deal with anything but good news.  A g/f & I are so tempted to steal the dog & give him some proper care.  This guy has been talked to until we are blue in the face.

 She loooves her walks! I'm gonna go slow. I'm thinking 1 year to drop 7.5 lbs. is good. What do you all think?

She could probably lose that much way within the year.  Don't sweat it at all...just need to adjust her intake...and take her for more walks.  I agree with you ...take it slow.

Bruder puts on the weight much easier than Heidi.  I'm feeding him (granted he's in the mid 60 weight range) 1.25 cups per meal.  And, honestly, I could probably do 1 cup per meal, but I just can bear it.  That seems so little.

Good thing she loves her walks.  She'll be just fine and I agree...she doesn't see the problem...she loves you!

 I measured out her measly 1/4 cup of food tonight and it was so small! I feel like I'm starving her. This must be done though. Suck it up, Mommy!

gradyupmybutt

Oh, please!  You are not a bad mom.  You took her to the vet.  Got the news & you're taking action.  I know of this person who has a 46 pound Cav.  He will not take it to the vet because he can't deal with anything but good news.  A g/f & I are so tempted to steal the dog & give him some proper care.  This guy has been talked to until we are blue in the face.

What!?!!? A 46 lb Cavalier, are you serious? Are you sure it's not a basset hound walking around in a cavalier outfit? That's 4x the weight of Luke. 

tiffy

 I measured out her measly 1/4 cup of food tonight and it was so small! I feel like I'm starving her. This must be done though. Suck it up, Mommy!

You could add in some steamed veggies. It adds bulk but not many calories, I think.

 Shes not acting hungry or starving. Its me who has to get over it.

 Ginger sympathizes. Sometimes she sneaks cat food and, before we know it, she's bulked up.  She is also cursed with the slowest metabolism. She gets, as a maintenance amount, 1/8 c twice a day.

Think your way thru it -- add some veggies to her food -- you can hold back a few more kibbles to give her later as treats, and just re-invent treatd and extras.

 They change as they age ... their metabolic needs change.  I fight with myself ALL the time -- I can't keep weight ON Luna and poor Billy gains if he looks at the fridge.  Billy weighs 30 pounds and Luna is twice as long and weighs 28.  Tink is 15 pounds and eats virtually the same thing Billy does (and he GAINS on it).

But ... tonight I'm looking down at the pug and her ribs are getting hard to feel and she's a CHUNK to pick up -- so she's officially on "Mom's mental re-adjustment list" now.  *sigh*

 I DO NOT WANT A FAT PUG!!!

I'm not gonna bash you -- their metabolism changes all the time as they age.  You might also want to have bloodwork done and sent to Dr. Dodds jsut to check the thyroid.  She can be completely asymptomatic and still have a low thryoid. 

tiffy

Alright, bash away. I deserve it.

  Well, since you asked for it.....You're a terrible owner.  So bad, in fact, that I believe that it would be in Tootsie's best interest to pack her things, & send her to me! 

Seriously though, I struggled with Brinxx's weight for over a year before I finally got it off of her.  She was almost 15 pounds overweight, & because she's fluffy coated, I didn't notice.  Once the vet pointed it out, we got to work.  Just like you're doing with Tootsie.