Quirky cat affection. [View all]
Ember has always resisted being held, since she was a tiny kitten. She is not a lap cat.
But, if I am seated where she has access to my face, she rubs it over and over. She loves when give her scritches and kisses on the forehead. She has even learned the word "kisses" and puts her forehead toward me to receive them.
But, if I try to pull her closer to give her a hug - poof! She scampers away.
At night, as soon as I lie down, she is right there, but will not lie down next to me. She will not snuggle against me. She sits and buries her head into some part of me - my arm, head, shoulder - and waits for scritches. If I don't respond immediately, she pushes her head against me harder. As soon as I pet her she purrs up a storm. If I try to put my arm around her to pull her close, she wiggles free, jumps to the floor, and will not come back the rest of the night. When I am too tired to continue petting her and start drifting to sleep, she jumps down and leaves.
It's not all one-sided. She licks my arm when being petted. She likes to initiate and receive slow blinks. She sits next to me on the couch, but only as long as we are just side by side and not touching. She he absolutely will not allow hugs, close snuggling, or being held or carried.
Anyone else have a cat who is so affectionate but with such firm boundaries about what kinds of affection?
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