Spring-loaded butt
'Mitri loved having his butt patted.  He had what I called a "spring-loaded butt" - you could pat him when he was sitting or laying down and he'd raise up on his hind legs.  Sometimes, this patting would feel so good that he'd turn his head and open his jaws as if to say, "I might have to bite you".

"I'm ready to to be petted."
The kitchen stool was his favorite place to get attention.  He often jump up on it when were in the room, looking expectantly.  Even better, he liked when we answered the phone and sat down on the stool, because then he'd jump up on our laps. this was whether we wanted him or not - whether we were ready or not!  He figured he had a captive audience.

 

Dmitri usually liked to sleep on our bed, but most times, he didn't like being in contact with the other cats.  Typically, he would take up a small space at a corner of the bed.  He was very good about leaving the room voluntarily, if the others were escorted out.

Perching on Dad for attention
The last winter, because he wanted to stay in the bedroom with us, he tolerated more contact with Merlin and Sky.  He would share body heat, and Nora called the grouping a "cat puddle". 

He was starting to actually be coaxed back up on the bed of a morning, after he'd initially woken up and gotten down, for extra attention.

 

On April 25, at 3:30 a.m. or so, I put all the cats out of the room so we could sleep better.  'Mitri, who usually jumped down when I started escorting the other two, didn't stir right away.  Picking him up, I had no way of knowing that I was holding him in my arms and gently kissing the top of his head for the last time. 

 

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