To shine an unmissable light on the issue of overweight dogs, IAMS pet food partnered with a real-life overweight dog named Waylon to put his story on a huge stage this holiday season. The brand created a larger-than-life dog balloon – modeled after Waylon – that got “stuck” between two buildings en route to the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Not actually an official entry in the parade, the two-story-tall balloon represents the many dogs across the country who are carrying extra weight.

It’s one of the most pressing issues in pet health – over 59 per cent of American dogs are overweight or obese and most dog parents don’t even realize it. That’s why the IAMS brand is putting a spotlight on the issue of overweight dogs and helping pet parents navigate their own dogs’ wellness journeys through science-based nutrition and additional pet health and wellness resources.

Read more about the project here.