Cyril ❤️ Alex: A Valentine’s Day Love Story
Hi, I'm Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five hilarious cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.
In the winter of 2019, for some reason that remains known only to him, Husband decided that four cats were not quite enough and that our already rather busy household was in need of a ginger. Enter Alex, named in memory of another little ginger cat called Axel, who was sadly struck by a car several years prior, which is just one more reason why we go against the ‘norm’ here in the UK and keep our cats indoors.
As you would expect, the other cats were a bit wary at first. Well, except Clutch, because we are yet to find anything that phases him. While it took our female felines, Zelda and Zazzles, a little longer to warm up, Cyril had decided by the end of day one that Alex was to be his squishy, to be loved and cherished from that day on.
Shared Interests
Before long, Cyril and Alex discovered that they had many things in common, including a deep affection for food, a worrying addiction to catnip, and a shared propensity for lying in weird positions.
Then It Gets A Little Weird…
Firstly, let me be clear; I am not one to cast judgment on anyone’s gender, orientation, or who they choose to love (providing both are consenting adults, of course). But Alex and Cyril’s relationship has evolved over time from one of paternal or brotherly love to something a little bit different. Almost every night, they engage in a game of chase and wrestling, which invariably ends up with one gripping the scruff of the other and engaging in some behaviors that would ordinarily result in the creation of kittens. Of course, with two neutered male cats, this is highly unlikely to eventuate.
Now, it’s not unusual for cats of either sex, neutered or entire, to hump one another from time to time. It may be a form of gratification, but in most cases, it is a display of dominance. What I find strange about Alex and Cyril's little trysts is that they do not show any other signs of dominance conflict and that this is a nightly event, typically culminating in a squishy cuddle. Quite frankly, I’ve occasionally felt inclined to offer them a post-coital cigarette.
But hey, love is love, and on this Valentine’s Day, we should be grateful for love in all its many shapes and forms.
This article is a part of Dr. Karyn's series with her five hilarious cats.
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Dr. Karyn Kanowski BVSc MRCVS (Veterinarian)
Dr. Karyn comes from Queensland, Australia, and has lived in the UK for the past 10 years. In 2010, she graduated from The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science and also has a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology. She is passionate about using evidence, experience, and owner collaboration to provide the best solutions for pets, and believes in making reliable information about animal health accessible to all. Dr. Karyn shares her home with five cats, four dogs, and one husband. When she is not in the scrubs, she spends her time writing, gardening, and cleaning up pet hair!
