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.
I hope you get to know my handsome cat, Clutch. Well, before I met my husband, and our house was filled with lots of cats and dogs (five of each, to be exact), it was just me and Clutch. Karyn and Clutch, living large and loving. We go for walks on the beach, watch TV together, and even go to work together. Being the most chill of cats, he even started hanging out with me when I saw my (now) husband, Reece.
Reece already has two Labradors, an Irish Wolfhound, and two cats (Zazzles and Zelda), so he’s obviously an animal lover. And Clutch, being Clutch, just walks into these different houses without so much as a raised beard. His calm demeanor is always contagious, and the other pets just take his lead, treating him like he’s always been there.
As time went on and things progressed, Clutch and I started hanging out at Reece’s place, until it became a permanent arrangement.
Now, this is where I have to make a confession: I have never been in love. So I found myself wondering the same thing that I’m sure many of you have at one time or another; How do I know if it’s love?
For Me, The Answer Came In The Form Of Chicken
Yes, chicken.
Clutch was never a fussy cat, nor was he particularly greedy. That is unless there is chicken. He loves it, rages for it, will climb mountains and swim seas for it. Okay, that last bit might be a slight exaggeration, but the rest is true.
So as a special treat, I occasionally grab a package of plain roasted chicken pieces, and Clutch recognized the packaging. Every time I come home with any shopping, she inspects the unpacking process, keeping an eye on that tell-tale plastic pack. And when he knows there’s a chicken in the house, the friendly, gentle Clutch I know is transformed into a grabbing, grabbing, chicken-catching machine.
You can’t open the fridge without first doing a basic sweep around in case of surprise air strikes, clawed ground assaults, or the stealthy handling of the door slot.
He Should Have Been Called Toothless
At this point, it’s worth telling you about another thing special about Clutch: he has very few teeth, and no canine teeth at all. Because of the slight malocclusion of his jaw, the gums that held his fangs had weakened, causing the roots of those teeth to break down, and I had to remove them when he was four years old. Rest assured, it didn’t slow him down. In fact, while the rest of our cats nibble carefully on small pieces of chicken, Clutch is the only one who will grab a big chunk and eat it.
What does Love have to do with it?
At this point, you’re probably wondering what Clutch’s appetite for chicken has to do with my love life, but I promise, I’m getting there.
One night, it could be Tuesday, or Thursday – it didn’t matter – Reece came home with shopping. He unpacks bags and I help put things away. A familiar package came out, and I looked at Reece questioningly. He looked behind me as if he didn’t understand my confusion.
“Chicken for Clutch” he said simply, and continued unpacking.
It may not make much sense. It’s a simple gesture, and one that Reece probably doesn’t think about, which is exactly why it’s so important. I’ve never had him get chicken, but he knows how much Clutch likes it. Somehow, the fact that it was “chicken for Clutch”, not just “for cats”, triggered a huge wave of love, and I knew then that I loved this man.
He didn’t do it to score points or impress me. It’s not a big romantic gesture or rehearsed words. It was a simple act of kindness that told me everything I needed to know.
So for those of you waiting for the big moment, the flashing sign, or dramatic scene, you may find yourself waiting a while. More often than not, love is in the little things, the little gestures, the everyday activities. Find the person who does the equivalent of buying “chicken for Clutch”, whatever that is for you.