Sometimes the cats are more needy. Normally, Birdie ignores me for most of the day, and I only see her if I pass by her napping on a chair in the kitchen, or staring at me from one of our giant poofs downstairs. Today, however, she started with a single but declarative meow next to where I was sleeping on the couch, after she finished breakfast. She stayed close by as I got my cereal and made sure she was the one who got the leftover milk in the bowl. When I sat on the kitchen chair she jumped into my lap and demanded pets, and as I’ve been sitting on the window seat she has walked over at least four times and wanted attention.
Strange behavior with me, but more normal with my husband. He is undoubtedly the favorite. Birdie’s favorite time of day is when he sits at his desk in the evening. She invariably springs onto his lap and walks around in a satisfied manner before curling up. If he opens the door that leads to his office in the evening, she sprints up the stairs to ensure she doesn’t miss him.
I, on the other hand, have more success with Pemberly. Another morning, I ran errands in the morning and was on my feet in the early afternoon with a baking project. Pem stayed with me in the kitchen, occasionally meowing inquiringly and leaning on my legs with her front paws. When the treat was finally in the oven and I sat on the couch she got what she wanted: lap time. Birdie never wants that, but Pem seems to go into withdrawals if it doesn’t happen in a day. Today she has been on my lap five times. She is there right now.
Despite their reputation for aloofness, our cats, at least, crave social interaction. If Melvin and I are in a room together, chances are the cats will be there, too, even if only sitting in close proximity. They come when we call, mostly. They don’t like us to shut them out of our bedroom. (On the other hand, that may be more related to how they hate closed doors in general.) I wonder if part of the reputation is due to their impassive faces, which so easily can appear bored, disdainful and unimpressed. Based on their behavior, I think their attitudes can be very different.