I think Gryff has some lingering insecurities from being abandoned, as a kitten

[Siwsan]

No matter where he is, if I start talking to or make kissing sounds to one of the other kidcats, he comes RACING into the room at breakneck speed. If Sian is on my lap, he just flops on top of her. At night he has to be the first one to snuggle next to me, even if it is just for a few minutes.

The BIG problem comes when he leaps up, expecting me to catch him, even if I'm busy doing something else. I think he believes he is still a kitten. He definitely isn't. He is a solid big boy.

The vet techs did tell me that he was VERY affectionate. That was proven true when he 'melted' into my arms, the first time I held him. He was just 4 months old. The same age as Madoc.

Honestly, few sentient beings have ever been this attached to me. Not complaining, mind you. I just have to remain on guard for those leaps.

[MiHale]

1. That's truly special...

Lucky you, enjoy.

[niyad]

2. awwwwww, he just needs to be with his Mom. Yes, you must be ready to

catch him at any moment.

[LisaL]

3. He is jealous of other kitties.

[2naSalit]

4. Maybe...

You can have a talk with him about the surprise leaping.

Had a beautiful cat who did that until I somehow, it was decades ago, manged to encourage her to let me know before she did that. She would get my attention then make like she was ready to jump and let out a little sound that she used only for that, and I would stand up and let her know I was ready and she would leap up and I would scoop her up at my waist and she settle in my arms with her hind feet in my hand and front paws on my shoulder. Once we got that straight it was a regular thing every day but I was always ready to catch her.

Just a suggestion of course.

[wnylib]

5. The cat that I had before Ember was an orange tabby

named Leo. I got him from a friend who had found him when he was tiny, no more than 2 months old, huddled under her car, muddy and thin. She cleaned him up, fed him, and gave him lots of affection for a couple months. But she already had several cats so she gave him to me. When I got him, I guessed his age at around 5 months based on the degree of descent of his testicles.

He was THE most affectionate cat that I ever had. He was eager to rub against me no matter where I was or what I was doing. Followed me everywhere. Rubbed up against everyone he met. When I sat on the couch, he sprawled next to me with his head on my lap and made an angry vocal sound if I tried to get up. When I sat at the dining table, he curled up on a chair perpendicular to mine and stretched out a paw to rest on my legs in order to maintain physical contact.

At night he snuggled up next to my chest with his head under my chin. No matter how I moved during the night, he stayed in physical contact with me, readjusting his own position to mine.

He cried pitifully whenever I left the apartment.

I believe that his early deprivation, being cold, hungry, and alone when my friend found him, made him especially grateful and dependent on affection and physical contact.

Animals that have been abandoned or deprived develop strong attachments when they find safety and affection.

[Ocelot II]

6. My cat Milo did that all his life.

He passed away almost exactly 3 years ago at almost 17. I miss him terribly, and I even miss him hurling his fifteen-pound furry self at my torso whenever I was standing around ignoring him. He'd leap at me and I had to catch him, then he'd snuggle up and purr. Enjoy this sign of Gryff's affection for you!