On the frigid winter mornings I don’t have to rush, I sit in my green terry cloth robe and enjoy a hot cup of tea in my favorite chair in the living room. Goldie usually joins me. He snuggles up on my left thigh and dozes. A cat crawling into your lap and taking a nap might seem normal; however, cats don’t just choose anyone as their snoozing location. They only sleep where they feel most secure. If a cat crawls into your lap and nods off, it’s because they believe your lap is safe for them to be their most vulnerable. This behavior is the deepest sign of trust that they can demonstrate.

Sometimes Goldie buries his head in my hand or arm and breathes in my scent. Other times, he rolls over on his back and splays his toe beans in the air, exposing his belly. This is when I know that he is most comfortable and content. The exposure of a soft underbelly communicates the ultimate trust.

In the contiguous 48 states, it is illegal to get up as long as a cat is on your lap. I am unsure about Hawaii and Alaska, but it probably is there too. While there is no official term for this situation, some refer to this as “cat sitting,” “being catnapped,“ “purralized,” or “purralysis.” Whatever you call it, if a cat climbs into your lab and gets cozy, you are only allowed to get up until the cat moves or the house is on fire.

It’s always interesting to watch his napping positions evolve. I don’t understand how some of them are comfortable, yet he manages to slumber deeply for 30 minutes to an hour in the most twisted arrangements. After three years of watching him nap in my lap, I am convinced that the more unconventional his sleeping position, the more he demonstrates his trust in me.

On this Saturday morning, he snuggles in quickly. He is less interested in pets than he is in enjoying the warmth of me and the heating pad on my lap. He cuddles up to my hand and arm like a toddler with a teddy bear. His deep sighs and slow blinks tell me he is on the verge of slumber. And I am happy to be his bed for however long he wants. After a few more minutes, his gentle snoring becomes my morning soundtrack.

These mornings are precious and fleeting. I am content to sit and soak in the snuggles for as long as he will allow. While he is only in my life for a limited amount of time, I am in his life to the end. I will not take advantage of his trust and love, the most priceless gift an animal can bestow on a human.