Tasha will stare and whine and if that doesn't work she will come lay her head in my lap or on my leg. Tommy will lay down with a big thump nearby and yawn loudly and sigh and moan . Sometimes he'll rest his head on my leg as well. That used to always work and I couldn't resist petting them then, but I refrain now until they lay down and behave so that they don't get too manipulative for attention . Once they give up and lay down a few moments I call them to me and give them lots of cuddles. I can pretty much tell when they are wanting attention versus when they are needing to go out.