In the world of pets, there are certain truths we all believe to be self-evident: dogs and cats don’t mix, orange cats are a little bit “spicy,” and a Dachshund is too small to raise anything but her own puppies. But one tiny orange kitten in Utah is here to break all those stereotypes—and he’s doing it in the most adorable way possible.

Meet Perry, the piebald Dachshund with a heart of gold, and her unexpected, fuzzy little friend—an orange kitten who was rescued just in time to join Perry’s family of puppies. What followed is a viral video that has pet lovers everywhere questioning everything they thought they knew about animal relationships.

In the video, we see the orange kitten—whom we can only assume to be as mischievous as his coat suggests—snuggling up to his new “siblings,” nursing alongside them, and even playing rough with his Dachshund mama. The scene of the puppy and kitten mix-up is both hilarious and heartwarming, with Perry trying to keep everyone in line. One commenter humorously imagines Perry thinking, “Why is this baby so sharp?” as the kitten claws at her with his tiny paws.

But don’t be fooled. Perry may be a tiny Dachshund, but she’s got plenty of mama bear energy. When the kitten goes a little too far—like stalking and attacking Perry’s tail—it’s time for some tough love. The camera captures Perry’s discipline in full force, as she gently (yet firmly) holds the kitten down by the neck, teaching him the proper boundaries. This isn’t just a lesson in manners—it’s a full-on “you mess with the tail, you get the paw” moment, and it’s downright hilarious.

Despite his spiciness, it’s clear this kitten is thriving. One commenter observed, “An orange kitty raised by a Dachshund? This is potentially the most chaotic mix ever,” but as the clips progress, we see the kitten growing up strong and still tightly bonded with Perry. There’s no denying the love here—this feline is truly one of the family.

While dogs and cats often get a bad rap for not being able to get along, this video proves that if they grow up side-by-side, there’s nothing that can’t be overcome. The secret? Respect, patience, and a whole lot of dog-mama discipline. In the end, it’s clear that the orange kitty and his Dachshund mama share a loyalty that’s as strong as any dog-human bond.

In this chaotic, heartwarming family, it’s clear that whether you’re a puppy or a kitten, it’s all about love and boundaries. And a little spicy attitude never hurt anyone—especially not when there’s a mama dog to keep you in check.

 (Here’s the video.)