I just offer the back of my hand, below the height of her head, a couple feet away, then hold still. To the cat, it's a very non-threatening position, and they can decide whether to engage or not. (I usually get to pet the kitty!)
this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2026
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Don't forget to slow blink at the kitty and look away for a bit every now and then.
Oh - and, looking slightly away from them, yawn widely with your eyes closed, then lick your lips a few times.
I was at a shop like that, kitty rolled over and showed his belly so I gave him all the belly rubs and picked him up when he started purring. He rubbed my face.
The owners were like "He... he doesn't DO that!"
Yeah, well, he does for me!
I have a cat a bit like this. I joke she shows her love by being within a ten foot radius. Sometimes she’ll sit in my lap, but that’s all she wants. If I pet her without her starting it she will leave (while yelling at me). Anyone else gets a bite.
Either the owners of the bookstore are much less literate than I would expect or the cat is much more.
without wishing to spoil the fun, the sign is edited in
HOWEVER
The bookshop's tumblr has a bunch more pics of him, including this delightful yawn compilation. His name is Sterling
Sad
Although I'd expect the grammar bad for comedic effect
Rather than unintentionally
I think they make the ha ha
Actually, he is a cat. I am a wolf.
If you put your hand out, they'll either sniff you and go in for a head rub or turn their head away or hiss.
That's a great indication of what kind of cat you're dealing with... sometimes. Other times, they'll run up to your leg and try to bowl you over with a cuddle. Then when you lean down for a scritch, they'll try and bit your arm off.
My ex's family had a cat like that who "didn't like people" and would just hide out up stairs in the bedrooms all day. I ran into her when she was coming down to eat one day and it took literally 2 minutes to get her to come sit in my lap and get pet. Her family was all looking at me like wtf... She came out to hang out with us all the time when I was over after that.
we'll see abt that
“Challenge accepted”
I feel like His name must be Charles. Never Charlie.