How to Care About Your Human Without Letting Him Know

Ok, I'll admit it. I miss my human when he is gone. Maybe miss is the wrong word but I definitely get angry that he isn't here. When he leaves in the morning and I've had my breakfast and head scratch I'm so happy to have the place to myself. I power nap, stretch, check the kitchen counter for scraps, then relax nap. But at about three the dissatisfaction creeps in. The urge to knock over table lamps becomes palpable. The claws come out. When he walks in the door I just don't know what to do with myself. Part of me wants to scratch him and meow at him but another part wants to run over, rub against his leg, cuddle, and purr. I obviously don't go the rub, cuddle and purr route. That would appear needy and give him all the power. My usual approach is to meow at him in a neutral to slightly frustrated tone and stare at him expectantly. This accomplishes three things. First, it lets him know that something is expected of him. There is something he should be doing but I'm not going to spell it out for him. He should know. Second, it maintains my dignity and an air of mystery. Third, it isn't so combative as to preclude him from picking me up and cuddling with me which is, admittedly, what I really want. It works every time. Miss Cleo