Or is it too early to tell?
When Tuxie first came in (April/May 2003 - shortly after he turned 1 yr old), he could stand exactly ONE pet on a cheek. Gary always predicted that in the year after he turned 8, he'd become a lap cat.
As the first few years passed, and Tuxie still couldn't be petted for long without getting overstimulated, I asked Gary if he wanted to change his prediction. Nope.
Well, over the past year or two, Tuxie has become quite the lover. He's ALWAYS been a headbumper, and one of the most "love demonstrative" kitties we have - he just didn't like being loved on for long periods of time.
Now? He stops by to see us ALL the time for pets, and we can pet him endlessly. He does insist that you pet his cheeks, and that you alternate cheeks.
No such thing as overstimulation for him anymore (unless you pet the tummy. 
).
Over the past month or so, when we're in bed in the evening, instead of hopping up and sitting at the end of the bed, staring at us, willing us to come to him to pet him, he's started walking right up and standing with his front paws on (one of our) legs and shoving his head in our face (and he bumps HARD). And when I'm sitting on the couch, working on the laptop, he'll jump up, and again, he'll stand on my leg, insisting on attention.
This last week, when he was standing on my leg, I grabbed him, and pulled him onto my lap, and he laid down, grabbing my knee with his paws and kneading while I pet his cheeks. This has lasted for several minutes before he bounces away.
But it's happening daily now.
Technically he becomes nine in April, so he's got another four months to meet Gary's prediction.
But does this qualify? Is he already there? He now KNOWS that if he comes to stand on my leg, I'm pulling him in my lap - and he stays, enjoying it for a little while before zipping off... ???????
When Tuxie first came in (April/May 2003 - shortly after he turned 1 yr old), he could stand exactly ONE pet on a cheek. Gary always predicted that in the year after he turned 8, he'd become a lap cat.
As the first few years passed, and Tuxie still couldn't be petted for long without getting overstimulated, I asked Gary if he wanted to change his prediction. Nope.
Well, over the past year or two, Tuxie has become quite the lover. He's ALWAYS been a headbumper, and one of the most "love demonstrative" kitties we have - he just didn't like being loved on for long periods of time.
Now? He stops by to see us ALL the time for pets, and we can pet him endlessly. He does insist that you pet his cheeks, and that you alternate cheeks.
No such thing as overstimulation for him anymore (unless you pet the tummy. ).Over the past month or so, when we're in bed in the evening, instead of hopping up and sitting at the end of the bed, staring at us, willing us to come to him to pet him, he's started walking right up and standing with his front paws on (one of our) legs and shoving his head in our face (and he bumps HARD). And when I'm sitting on the couch, working on the laptop, he'll jump up, and again, he'll stand on my leg, insisting on attention.
This last week, when he was standing on my leg, I grabbed him, and pulled him onto my lap, and he laid down, grabbing my knee with his paws and kneading while I pet his cheeks. This has lasted for several minutes before he bounces away.
But it's happening daily now.
Technically he becomes nine in April, so he's got another four months to meet Gary's prediction.
But does this qualify? Is he already there? He now KNOWS that if he comes to stand on my leg, I'm pulling him in my lap - and he stays, enjoying it for a little while before zipping off... ???????
(though doesn't like to be held, but you sure as heck better let him know you're paying attention to his every meow)
Great progress though! 
I agree!
