Prema is a bit touchy about her paws. To explain it I have to give a little background so I hope I won't bore anyone.

She was born with slightly deformed back paws. Two toes (one on each) are much shorter and the others and not as straight because of this her nails can get incarnated quite easily. Before I adopted her she was hit by and got gangrene on her front leg which lead to her own body expelling some of the bone, now her paw is attached at her elbow joint at a slight angle. I don't know how much feeling she has in this paw.

Anyway, NOONE is allowed to touch her paws. Most of the times we end going to the vet to cut her nails (who never charges me for it - she is very well behaved there she is so scared that she stays still and shaking like a leaf almost glued to me). She is not very pleased when I tough her back paws but I'm the only one she trusts enough to touch her front one. Very often, when she lays on me she will rest her injured paw in my hand purring. She lets me kiss it and caress me but if anyone tries to touch it all hell breaks loose.

So I suppose there is some truth in what you observed Wayne.