[ WP ] Werewolves are badass . Druids can transform into gigantic bears . Some shapeshift into feline beasts . And then there 's you ... a wereotter . You attend a support group for cuddly were-beasts .

'But it's just so embarrassing! I thought I was a Tiger! Imagine my horror when my girlfriend told me I was a Cat. And not just a Cat; a munchkin Cat! ’ Garry held his head in his hands. 
 
 I felt for the guy. It wasn ’ t too long ago that I discovered I was a werehamster. I ’ ve gotten used to it. Found a great guy who loves small rodents. And I am pretty cute. Big eyes. Glossy auburn fur. Cute little paws. Adorable! He couldn ’ t help himself! 
 
 Still it could be worse. Dave turned out to be a weresquirrel. Lizzie is a weregeko. Andy is a weregoldfish! I bet that was a surprise the first time. It ’ s a miracle he ’ s still alive! A friendly runner threw him in the nearest pond. He keeps a glass of water by his bed these days. His wife is a saint. 
 
 Still, back to Garry: 
 
 ‘ Garry, how exactly did she tell you that you weren ’ t a Tiger? Surely you should have seen Tiger prints and claw marks everywhere? ’ Lizzie looked a bit bewildered. I mean, she ’ s got a point. Tiger ’ s aren ’ t really known for being delicate. 
 
 ‘ Well, I always thought I WAS a Tiger... so I ’ d kind of... lock myself in the basement. ’ Garry looked bashful and slightly ashamed. 
 
 Dave snorted but managed to make it look like a loud sneeze when I glared at him. 
 
 ‘ It ’ s alright Garry. It happened to all of us. We all thought we were these mighty and powerful beasts too. ’ I gestured around at the rest of the group. 
 
 ‘ As an exercise, how about we go round the room and tell the group what we thought was happening to us before we realized the truth? For example, I didn ’ t know I was a werehamster until months after I turned for the first time. I thought I had Pika! I was waking up with all sorts stuffed in my cheeks, cotton balls, bits of food, even tissues! I had to set up a camera to record myself at night because I thought I was going insane. But now I know the truth, I know I ’ m not insane. I am a werehamster. And I ’ m not ashamed of that. Now, Lizzie? How about you tell us about your experience? ’ 
 
 Lizzie took a deep breath. She was our newest member after Garry so she still wasn ’ t mega comfortable as a geko. She stared at her hands as she talked. 
 
 ‘ Well, I started waking up with a bangin ’ ‘ ead and a dry throat. And I... er... started finding sand... in weird areas. ’ She looked up at us with wide eyes. ‘ Not like... there! Like, in my shoes and around the house. The doctors couldn ’ t explain it and even drinking tons of water everyday did n't help. So I did what you did. ’ She gestures to me. ’ I set up a camera and found the truth. The sand came from the outside; I... er... live near a beach. ’ 
 
 She looked back down at her hands. 
 
 ‘ Thank you Lizzie, that was very brave. Dave, Andy? Who wants to go next? ’ 
 
 Dave sat a little straighter in his chair. 
 
 ‘ Well I was up a tree when I turned back into a human. I was also asleep so my first experience was the ground coming towards me. Andy? I imagine your first change wasn ’ t all that comfy. ’ 
 
 Andy sniggered. 
 
 ‘ Naw your right there mate. Mind you, all I remember is not being able to breathe and then walking up face to face with a koi! Trust me; you don ’ t forget that in a hurry. ’ 
 
 He laughed a bit more and we all smiled with him. Even Garry was looking a bit happier. I stood up. 
 
 ‘ Ok everyone that was a great session. Same time next week and remember; just because you aren ’ t a werebear or a werewolf does not mean you ’ re weak. It just means you ’ re different. Have a great week guys! ’ 
 
 It was a good session. But all that sharing made me want to curl up with Brian. And I was hungry for some seeds... or maybe I ’ d go wild and have some greens... 

