Former 41-pound fat cat in Texas slims down to 19 pounds, gets closer to 'Skinny' name

This photo provided by the HEAL Veterinary Hospital & Pet Rehabilitation shows Skinny, who when found wandering near Dallas in 2012 weighed in at 41 pounds. Dr. Brittney Barton says the orange tabby she adopted in 2013 has slimmed to 19 pounds with exercise and a special diet. (Jana Hipp via HEAL Veterinary Hospital & Pet Rehabilitation via AP) (The Associated Press)

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In this photo provided by the HEAL Veterinary Hospital & Pet Rehabilitation, Dr. Brittney Barton holds Skinny, who when found wandering near Dallas in 2012 weighed in at 41 pounds. Barton says the orange tabby she adopted in 2013 has slimmed to 19 pounds with exercise and a special diet. (Jana Hipp via HEAL Veterinary Hospital & Pet Rehabilitation via AP) (The Associated Press)

This 2012 photo provided by the Richardson Animal Services shows Skinny at the Richardson Animal Shelter in Richardson, Texas. Dr. Brittney Barton says the orange tabby she adopted in 2013 has slimmed from 41 to 19 pounds. (Richardson Animal Services via AP) (The Associated Press)

DALLAS – A former 41-pound 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 to 19 pounds 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.

The vet says Skinny, who was found abandoned near Dallas in 2012 and ended up at a shelter, just had his annual checkup and he's 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."

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