When Rizzo wants attention, he waits until I try to walk somewhere. Anywhere. And then, of course, being a cat, he proceeds to get underfoot and weave himself around my legs so that it's either kick him, step on him, or stop and pet him. I've gotten a little more nimble since we've had him, so if I'm determined to get where I'm going, I ignore him.

So, if he REALLY wants attention, and the tripping thing isn't working, he simply flops over, half on his side, half on his back, curls his front paws up under his chin in a begging gesture, exposes his fluffy tummy, and stares at me with his huge, round, pleading, completely irresistible eyes. He practically bats his eyelashes!!

And I, no matter where I'm going, or how much of a hurry I'm in, or what I'm carrying, or what sort of a mood I'm in, will kneel down to rub his belly, scritch his little face, and coo at him!

What I want to know is, how do they KNOW how cute they are, and where do they learn to maximize the effect of said cuteness??