Yes, it's exactly like that.

It's as if "real men" weren't allowed to say how cute a tiny kitten can be.

A good friend of mine has 3 cats, one of them found by her in in the snow next to a waste container. It is snow-white, a really cute animal and lovable !

But - the reason why she was "dumped" was that she (the white cat) is a mutant : She has two genetically "defects" in the look of her. But I was allowed ( ) to … what's the correct English word for it ? pet ? caress ? strike ? her (the cat), and she liked it, too !
My friend was very astonished at how much this particular cat liked it. (Her other two cats are extraordinary shy.) It was a really lovely experience to me. I wish I could have a cat here, too, but currently this isn't possible.