The Lap Detective - Blue Is On the Case

Hi, I’m Amanda! Read my introduction to learn more about me and Blue, my fluffy fire point Himalayan-Persian cat.

As some may already know, Blue is reasonably obsessed with cuddling. Occasionally, it's casual, but lately, she's been more persistent and methodical than usual.  It’s like she must investigate the endless ways of approaching a prospective lap, testing for the perfect cat-to-leg ratio position, and learning to adjust to the frequent movements associated with being lap-bound. My little snuggle detective. The moment I or my children sit down, she goes into full-on operation mode. Every time, without fail, she waits for us to make eye contact before making her move as if being coached on some sort of tactical raid. It's almost as if she’s carefully crafted a plan; we are the unwitting accomplices.

Blue Takes Her Job Seriously

Whether it’s on the couch, at my desk, the bench at the dining table, or my bed, it is game on. She’s immediately aware of the shift. Her whiskers must have ESP because she senses there's no longer any movement about the house. My bottom connecting with a chair must send a ping to her intuitive cat brain. She'll start by confirming the location, and once the target is spotted, she'll be locked in. Blue likes to play coy but, as I mentioned, springs into action when our eyes meet, pretending she didn't seek me out. Oh, fancy meeting you here; mind if I join? Depending on where I am, she'll start by meowing. Initially, it's a soft meow, but one that’s insistent. Determined. She’s letting me know that she has an objective, and it’s time to fulfill it.

She’s learned that meowing at my feet is the best way to start the process. I’ve tried ignoring her a few times (I’m only human), but it never lasts. She just keeps going, her little voice getting more and more insistent. Honestly, it’s a little hard to resist. Her persistence is impressive. She knows exactly what she’s doing and how to get her way.  She’s the kind that knows when to pounce, when to meow, and when to switch to I am not asking you, I am telling you.

This happened at my desk yesterday, and I somehow managed to miss the first few calls to swivel myself toward her so my lap would be easily accessible. We had surpassed the polite meows and had graduated to the equivalent of a "Soldier, DO YOU COPY" that you'd get over the walkie-talkie during a secret mission. To which I of course responded with “Damn, impatient much!” She obviously gets her sass from me. However, once settled, she purrs and I type away until the feet under my crisscrossed applesauce legs tingle. I offboard her to the table behind me, where she sleeps blissfully in her nest.

Impressive Logic

At first, I thought I was just a means to an end – a bridge to her happy spot. But over time, I’ve realized there’s a method to her madness. She doesn’t just wander over and sit by me or give a quick nudge like other cats. She’s strategic. The meowing is her way of saying, “Hey, you’ve sat down—I would also like to be sitting down, but on your lap. I am en route, and I’ll see you in a few.” It’s like she’s read the manual on how to get my attention and has mastered every line.

I don’t mind, though; who could resist a cat who knows exactly what she wants and how to get it, anyway?