A pet for whom a Roman statesman had love (3)

I believe the answer is:

cat

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'a pet' is the definition.
(cats are often kept as pets)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for cat that I've seen before include "Pussy" , "Malicious gossip" , "See 21" , "Carnivore; whip" , "Animal - one with nine tails!" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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