He is fed four meals of meat, biscuits or rice, walked or run regularly, has a huge back yard, a bucket full of toys, and constant companions.
However, his happy routine is a far cry from his sad beginnings.
Frankie, originally known as Boss, was found abandoned as a puppy at a Mosgiel property in October last year.
His condition was among the worst the Otago SPCA had dealt with.
He was seized by SPCA inspector Julie Richardson, who described him as emaciated, severely underweight, dehydrated and hypothermic.
''In the vet's opinion, he probably would have only really lasted another 24 hours if he'd stayed at the property.''
About a month after his arrival at the SPCA, Boss was adopted by Wanaka woman Courtney Tate (23), who was under strict instructions from her mother to select only the neediest of dogs.
''She said it had to be the saddest one there or something that's been there for a long long time,'' Miss Tate recalled.
Boss fitted the bill.
However, it quickly became apparent his name did not fit his gentle personality, so his new family renamed him Frankie.
A year on, Frankie is thriving at his home on a large park-like property in Wanaka's Eely Point.
When not eating, exercising, or lounging in the sun, he attends dog obedience classes and is ''kind of a chewer'' who destroys most of his many toys in mere minutes, Miss Tate said.
The only dark spot in his otherwise blissful existence is house-mate Blackie, an SPCA cat adopted the same day as Frankie who has not warmed to his canine competition.
Miss Richardson said staff were thrilled Frankie had gone to a ''fantastic'' home.
''He's just such a special wee dog. He was a staff favourite. We all fell in love with him and we all worked really hard to get him through.''
Despite an investigation into his ill-treatment, his original owner was never brought to justice.
The SPCA's annual appeal was held last week and aimed to raise $500,000 to allow its inspectorate team to continue rescuing animals in need.
