DALLAS: A former 41-pound (18.6-kilogram) cat dubbed Skinny has lost more than half of his weight to become the darling of a Dallas veterinary clinic.

Dr. Brittney Barton says the orange tabby she adopted in 2013 has slimmed down to 19 pounds (8.6 kilograms) with exercise and a special diet.

Barton calls Skinny the “resident cat” at her practice, HEAL Veterinary Hospital. Barton said Friday that Skinny spends weekdays roaming the clinic.

The ex-fat cat’s weekends are spent at home with Barton and her family. Skinny was found abandoned near Dallas in 2012 and ended up at a shelter.

The vet says Skinny just had his annual checkup and is healthy. Barton says Skinny is living proof that while he’s supposed to be a large cat, “he’s not supposed to be an obese cat.”–AP

– http://www.nst.com.my/