Drop That Spoon!

How did it all begin? It was one of those things that crept up on us and we still can't quite believe happened. Looking back, we'd been in denial for some time. Then a friend who hadn't seen the family for a while blurted out the bald truth. "God, Dodi's got rather fat. In fact, you know, I think that might count as obese."

Once said, it had to be admitted. If you looked at Dodi from behind when he was sitting down, you could see a substantial spare tyre around his 13-year-old middle. It bulged out from his hips and flopped down like a muffin rising out over its baking case. He had become quite lazy, too, preferring to lounge in front of the fire rather than play in the garden as he used to. His excess weight was slowing him down. His joints seemed stiff as he climbed the stairs.