"No Blending In with Other Cats Here": A Vet's Story About Falling for a Unique Tortoiseshell Cat ~The Unrequited Love Edition~

Our Giji, who is often told "Your face is my type" or "Your intense gaze is incredible" whenever we post on social media, is a true character. Even at the veterinary hospital, he brings smiles to the veterinarians and veterinary nurses.

This time, I'll introduce a unique comment from male veterinarian Dr. C, who seems to have fallen for Giji's charm (?). I'll also share the complex relationship between Dr. C and Giji.

The Story of Male Veterinarian Dr. C and Giji's First Encounter

Giji has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart muscle thickens, hindering heart function. He visits the vet every two months to get medication and have his nails trimmed.

He often makes "Hoooo" or "Kyuwan kyuwan" sounds, so it's common for people in the waiting room to look at us like, "What kind of animal is that person bringing in?"

Fortunately, there are no noticeable abnormalities now. Since his condition is stable and the vet hospital is extremely popular and crowded, we don't specify a veterinarian to minimize waiting time. (Medical records are shared among veterinarians. When major decisions need to be made, all veterinarians gather immediately for a discussion.)

Therefore, on hospital visits, we often see veterinarians who say "Nice to meet you" or "Long time no see." However, recently, we've had many opportunities to see male veterinarian Dr. C. I suspect Dr. C is probably captivated by Giji.

My first encounter with Dr. C was about a year ago. When a veterinarian who has never seen Giji before enters the examination room, they always let out a gentle "Hehe..." However, Dr. C froze the moment he entered the examination room. He looked at Giji's face on the examination table and seemed speechless, saying, "This cat is..."

A sharp remark: "You can't blend in with other cats." 

Seeing that, I became incredibly anxious. "Maybe veterinarians can sense something wrong just by looking at a face. What should I do...? Giji is sick somewhere..." My heart pounded.

However, the next moment, Dr. C's words were completely unexpected: "You can't blend in with other cats!"

動物病院で先生たちから「特徴的な顔しとるね」「他の猫には紛れられんね」と言われ、解せぬ様子の猫。 pic.twitter.com/pGDwauBxXK

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) November 25, 2023

Although dumbfounded, I was relieved, thinking, "Good... nothing's wrong." My tension eased, and my mind went blank, so I blurted out an Edo-esque reply, "Oh! Is that so?!"

However, Dr. C was so engrossed in Giji that he didn't even have time to react to my words. Smiling, he said, "Cute. Hehe..." and then, "Let me feel your belly. Heh... so fluffy," palpating with a satisfied expression. Seeing how much fun he was having, I thought maybe Dr. C's paralysis was like the electric shock you get when you fall in love at first sight...

That day, I asked for a nail trim, but Giji seemed unhappy about being told "You can't blend in with other cats," and was in a super bad mood. He always gets angry when his nails are trimmed, no matter who does it, but he was unusually aggressive towards Dr. C. We've lived together for over 10 years, but that was the first time I heard Giji's serious warning growl.

It took three people to calm him down, praising him profusely with "You're so good! I've never seen such a good cat!" and somehow, the nail trimming was finished. Dr. C watched Giji's fluffy bottom, smiling and saying "So cute" until Giji was completely inside his carrier. 

Dr. C's gentle consideration, completely lost on Giji

Several months later, we returned to the vet hospital for another nail trim. Wondering which vet we'd see this time, we entered the examination room, and there was Dr. C. The moment he saw Giji on the examination table, he smiled and said, "Ah, this one... (laughs)."

However, in contrast, Giji was in escape mode. He had been happily playing and being petted by the veterinary nurse, who said, "You're cute. It's okay." But every time he saw Dr. C's face, he tried to jump off the examination table repeatedly, as if saying, "Ah... I remember this person. I'm going home."

When Dr. C faced Giji, he smiled and stroked Giji's cheek fur, saying, "Heh... The fluffy fur on the side of your face is interesting." Giji likes to have his cheeks stroked, but for some reason, he didn't want Dr. C to stroke him and kept backing away.

Again, it took three people to calm Giji down for his nail trim. This time too, Giji fiercely growled "Ugh!!" and went into furious mode... You were silent when the head doctor trimmed your nails. And at home, when you growl, it's "Nyaaaa." How much noise can you make...?

While thinking that and desperately trying to calm Giji, Dr. C revealed a secret about Giji that even I didn't know: "You dislike having your left paw trimmed more." He gently encouraged Giji with "Let's take a break and try again" and gave him a rest.

As the owner, I was moved by such thoughtfulness, thinking, "How kind!" but unfortunately, it didn't resonate with Giji. He was trimmed while fiercely growling "Ugh!!! Hiss!" — a warning he only directs at Dr. C — and then indignantly entered his carrier.

Dr. C watched this scene with a smile, gazing at Giji's cute fluffy bottom until he was completely out of sight.

動物病院で、「顔の横の毛がボワッとしてて面白い」と笑われたことが解せない様子の猫。 pic.twitter.com/yhNK4W54CG

— ゆあ ｜ ライター🖊 (@yunc24291) September 3, 2024

Every time they meet, Dr. C gazes at Giji and showers him with adoration, saying, "You're cute," and "You really are unique." I hope the day comes soon when that love reaches Giji.