Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and meet my five funny cats: Clutch, Cyril, Alex, Zelda, and Zazzles.
It’s not always easy to tell if your cat is happy, and other times, it’s pretty obvious they might as well be holding a neon sign that says “This is what joy looks like!”
Purring, cuddling, headbutting, and ‘making biscuits’ are all signs that your cat trusts you and is happy. My little ginger ninja, Alex, has one more way of showing his happiness: looking back on happiness.
I’m not just talking about rolls. No, it’s a somersault. Head down, body rolls forward in the top maneuver one might expect from the likes of Simone Biles. Okay, maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but it’s still quite an unusual move, and he always sticks the dismount.
Alex is a little weirdo
Like all cats, Alex is flexible, coordinated, and elegant. He also has some weird little quirks that set him apart from the other cats in our house, and most other cats I know. For starters, he enjoys extending his front legs in front of him when landing on high surfaces. Not only did his feet hang over the side, but the entire foot was sticking out in front.
His second positional quirk is his preference for sitting cross-legged. The first couple of times I noticed it, I assumed it was just a fluke. Perhaps he was in the middle of a turn, or was interrupted while he was sitting. However, you’re more likely to see Alex with his tiny little front legs crossed rather than them sitting side by side like a normal person.
The Mystery of Motion
Why is he doing this? Well, I suspect that if I can answer that question, I’ll have some pretty major cat secrets. What I do know is that he is a very sweet little cat with some unusual ways of expressing himself. Which brought me back to his happy little retreat.
You’ve undoubtedly seen a happy cat. Hopefully, you’ve experienced the joy of watching a very happy cat as they rub themselves against walls, furniture, even you. When Alex gets into one of these displays of happiness, his rub goes into overdrive. A turn at the top of his head. He seemed completely wrapped up in showing us how much fun he was having, as well as enjoying the sensation of the walls and floor as he rubbed them. Somewhere in the middle of all this happiness, he put his head between his front legs, and he left. It’s absolutely adorable.
At first, my husband and I were the only ones who witnessed this strange little ritual, but over the years, several close friends and relatives were granted access to this elite group. Alex is very wary of new people, so when he decides to show off his happy surprise for a new person, you can imagine how happy we, and the privileged recipient, will be.
Happiness Is Just a Somersault
Happiness doesn’t always come easily in this world, and I can’t remember the last time I wanted to jump for joy, let alone go back and forth. But I have to admit, watching Alex express herself through gymnastics, is a way to make anyone smile.
Stay weird, Alex.
This article is part of a series by Dr. Karyn with her five funny cats.