George Frederick at 18, about to be medicated.  I am about to place a salve on an incision on the other side of his face.  He had a cyst which the vet had lanced.  He loved to be held, even if it meant being medicated.

  He died at 20

K9 is always sleeping.

I want a cat!

OMG, that face!

What a cutie.  She looks very loving.

He looks so soft.

Thank you.  She's a sweetie, but she does not want to be held. She wants all the loving and petting she can get, but she wants to stay on the floor while you pet her.  She flops down in front of us and begs to be petted.

Take what you can get. Cats are independent.  Dogs fight for attention.  Mine push others out of the way for a head pat or a hug.

Thank.  Contrary to Mandy, he wanted to be held -- as you can see in the photo.  He was always happiest when he was being cuddled just as you see in the photo.  Yeah.  He had soft fur and was a pleasure to hold on one's lap.  A very loving cat

I've always heard how independent cats are.  I'm not saying Mandy and George Frederick were dependent.  They weren't.  They were indoor cats, so we were around them all the time.  George Frederick wanted to be in the same room we were in -- or my wife was in.  He wanted to be close.   He had us trained to pet him or hold him on command -- and his little kitty pocket watch was amazingly accurate at suppertime. 

Mandy's not quite as interested in being where we are, but she wants her loving and also has us trained to respond to her demands -- and they are very clear.  With both cats, the training is or was  mutual.  They learn our habits and respond accordingly.   I've never seen the independence people talk about.  I've always seen close, mutual relationships in which both parties were active and involved participants.