I have an almost 9 yr old cat. He is pretty sweet but he doesn't like most people except me.  (he isn't mean, just hides from them or won't let them touch him) Typically he likes to be NEAR me, (sits on the back of my chair, sleep at the foot of the bed, sometimes sleep at the top of my pillow). When I was pregnant 2 yrs ago, he wouldn't leave me alone.  He would follow me everywhere, chirpign at me, every night he would have to lay on top of me.  The minute I would sit on a chair he would be in my lap.  The minute I would go to to bed, he would have to be on TOP of me...my hips, legs, side, and even ON MY HEAD.  I would wake up millions of times a night trying to roll over and not being able to because i have a 13 lb cat pinnin me down.  Once I had the baby...that was done (baby was with me all the time)

5 weeks ago...I got an infection in my leg.  It got pretty serious..it is still going away...almost gone...but a little there...but since it happened he has started up with all that again.  I can't get much sleep at night becuase I am constantly flinking him off me.  

What is it that animals sense?  What is it that he is doing?

Having had cats for the last 25 years, I can smile to your description....because I have seen it all in my cats

He has taken you as his "partner" or "boss", so you get his full attention.

If this cat goes out, then he has learned that people are not to trust...(sry to say...but many adult as well as kids can be very cruel).

A animal is very sensitive for emotions by those they connect to, and in my opinion he has spotted that you need care those times he "swarm" around you, but he will not give the same attention to your kids or husband, again because in his mind you are the "boss" and all other are just members of the "pack"

I have had many "indoors  cat" (we had Siamese breeding) and if they grew up with people around them, and are treated good, then they show great care for all visitors too.
But much of this stand in the genes, and how long they stay with their mother before taken away.

I had a female cat, that was quiet afraid of visitors, but when my daughters came on visit and they had kids in 1-4 years age, she plaid a lot with them, and allowed them more then I ever have seen her do to other......but it was only this female cat that did it....and in my mind it was because she had lost her own babies and was not able to take new ones.

So I will again state....animals have brain, animals have feelings and if you are so lucky that you have befriended an animal...you have a friend for life

But this is thing both you and other animals lovers know

I have had him since I picked him from an animal shelter when he was 12 weeks old.  He had a few health issues for the first few months I had him, one right after another.  But even as a kitten he would not go near anyone else...unless I was not around for a few days and he determined he needed some attention.  I had to foster him out to a friend for 2 yrs because of my living situation at the time...but I got him back about 6 yrs ago.  He did warm up to my husband (after many months of bribes and treats), but when my husband got his dog in 2003...he refused to be near my husband.  It took him almost 2 yrs to forgive my husband for bringing "that thing" into our house.  He is not an outdoor cat at all.

He has become more agressive in getting attention...and every now and then when I have ignored him too long...he will go by my 5 yr old for some petting.  But she tells me regularlly that she wants her own cat that will come by her.

I just find it weird that he has gone through this smothering phase twice, and it goes on for many months.  I wake up not being able to move and flink him off to roll over and the minute I am settled...he climbs right back on top of me.  I have tossed him repeatedly to the foot of the bed...and the minute I am not moving and comfortable again...I feel him walk back up and find a spot on top of me.  Even tossing him off the bed doesn't phase him...he is back on before I am back to sleep.  If I lock him out of the room...he just sits there and paws at the door repeatedly meowing.

I don't know if I have during these periods of time more spirit/guides hanging around and he is protecting me, or he is sensing the discord in my body and he is trying to care for me.

I was reading in a pet column that the 'fraidy cat' syndrom might be genetic. A fraidy cat who runs and hides will live to pass on its genes.
  I have one cat, Princess, that I've had since she was a tiny kitten. She is afraid of people except me. It took her six months to warm up to my mom who lives with us. She still hisses and arches at the sight of my son who has lived with us for two years. Unless of course he is sitting or has food. Once she smells him or he stands up, he is six foot three, she starts hissing or runs. The only except to this is if she is at her food mat and is eating either chicken or fish. She'll hunch down but not run. From observation I've discovered that she has a vision problem.

 Old Guy, I got from the shelter. He was estimated at being at least five years old. He is very mellow and now ten. He has lost most of his teeth but is other wise healthy. Loves to sniff flowers but doesn't bat them. He will jump up near any source, tv, sterio that is playing classical music and seem to be in seventh heaven. He will come and get me to clean up any hairballs coughed up by either of them and when the litterbox needs to be cleannd out.  

After I had a heart attack both cats started following me around like little dogs. I thought that that was a little unusual until I read in a cat magazine that having cats as pets puts them in an artificial 'kitten' like stage with us as 'mom'.  Adult cats run to us with their tails held high in the manner of kittens running to their mothers. It does make sense. After all we provide food, shelter, comfort and protection for them-just like a good mother cat. (0:  PS. My mom who also has health problems they don't seem to be as concerned about.

Nice stories.  I have 5 cats.  My oldest is 13 years old - he is a Siamese.  He is beautiful and has been by my side through good and bad.  I just went on vacation and as I went down the road, I cried because he is so attached to me.  I call him velcro-kitty because he is always on my lap or on top of me in bed.  

I also have a ferral cat who is 6 years old.  Her mother was skitzo and so is she.  She goes through stages where she will let me pet her on her terms.  When she had her litters (2), she let me touch her everywhere and even opened up her belly for me to put a warm compress on when she was sore from nursing.  I have thoughts of having her put to sleep because she has skin allergies or something and tears herself up at times.  I feel bad for her and wonder if I should just let her go to Heaven where she can run and be happy.  Just don't know what to do.

Cats are so cool!