Sometimes I’ll start up the puddy footies talk while they’re just laying there minding their own business. I’d say about a third of the time, it starts up the puddy footying while I’m talking in in that tone of voice.
I always called that position leg o’ lamb, or leg o’ mutton. But kneading has always been kneading (or sometimes kuh-needling). My younger cat, Shiva, was probably weaned too early since he does the kneeding and suckling bit on my shirts while I’m wearing them. It’s cute, but damp.
So, one cat in the family makes muffins. She’s small and petite, and appropriate. Her SISTER on the other hand is large and rolypoly and we’ve determined she makes Bear Claws.
Well, since my girl Roxie usually does it while suckling, we refer to it as “making out” - “Roxie’s making out with the blanket again”. She occasionally does it without the suckling, but not as often.
As far as the leg in the air, well, that’s either 5th gear or the Eiffel Tower pose.
The Other Shoe’s family refers to it as “making tacos” which I’ve never understood, and also “pressing biscuits,” which makes marginally more sense.
Oddly, neither of our cats kneads. Well, the older one’s declawed, and the younger one was separated from her mom way too young (judging by how tiny she still was when Other Shoe’s own mother found her, starving in the rain under a bush) so maybe that factors in. Well, okay, I’ve seen her do it mayyyybe once or twice, and she just turned 3.