I am brand new here in this group and I would like to introduce myself and my big guy Brego. My other support groups include Bipolar, Alcoholism, Chronic Pain and Caregivers (but I am still looking around so that might change).

I am 48 and my big boy Brego is a tuxedo cat, well built and muscular, tipping the scale at a hearty 16 pounds. I know that sounds like a lot, but the vet said his weight is normal because he is so tall and long--nearly 3 feet nose to tip of tail.

Brego was introduced to me by a Pet Smart ad. His original name was Mew Mew (gimme a break, Mew Mew?) I took him in after my little Zelda Mae was put down at 19 1/2 years of age. He was already five months old and neutered with all of his shots when I got him. At the Pet Smart when I went to get him (I had seen him on the computer web site) I went straight past all the tiny new baby kittens on display. I knew they would all be gone quickly. Besides, I wanted a slightly more mature cat. I had to sign a paper saying I wouldn't declaw him. I bough a small scratching post (which he still loves and uses to this day), as well as some Friskies Party Mix. I met him while I was there, and the two of us bonded instantly.

Brego had his name picked out for him before I even started looking for a new kitty. Brego is the name of Aragorn's horse in "The Lord of the Rings" books and Movies. When Aragorn is told of the horse Brego's name, he says to Brego, "Thy name is Kingly."

I already had a cat stroller and a harness and cat seat from a previous cat, Pepper, my first tuxedo cat. Brego came home to join our little Maggie. They hit it off right away. They rarely ever fight. Brego enjoys sitting on the "Cat tree," a cat post five feet tall with multiple sitting stations with real branches for support beams.

Now four years old, Brego has developed a couple of eccentricities. He likes to devour shoelaces. We have to hide all of our shoes as soon as we take them off. He also loves pony tail holders. He loves to eat tomatoes, yogurt, and occasionally cooked green beans. But the truth is he loves tomatoes so much I can't leave them out on the table or the counter because he will sit down and have at them. Sometimes when I have and extra one I cut it in half and Brego will devour it, eating it just like a human eats fruit.

Brego is a good boy too. With Mom in a wheel chair and Dad in a walker and the grocery delivery man coming each week, the front door gets propped open quite often. Brego won't make a run for it. Goo Boy Brego.. If he were to disappear, not only does he have his 3 year county rabies tag, he has a microchip.

Brego is very affectionate too. He has taken over the side table next to my chair, so I had to find a different place to put my coffee. He just loves being next to me. When I am at the computer, he tries his hardest to get in my lap while I type.

He is very healthy and I hope he stays that way. We are going to work on harness and leash training this winter, and I plan to take him out in the stroller while the weather is so fine.When it is cooler, we will play in the house with his favorite toys: the laser pointer and a feather on the end of a string and rod.

I used to have agoraphobia. When my mom was in the nursing home, sometimes the only way to convince myself to go visit her was to take Brego with me in the stroller. People though I had a baby, and then they looked and saw what was really in the stroller, and it always brought them a smile. Then we would get to Mom's room. I would get Brego and he would climb up on Mom's bed and put his head under her weak hand, and just stay right with her during the whole visit. Brego would make an amazing therapy animal. He sure has helped me.