Allowing belly rubs is a sign of deep trust from a cat you didn’t raise, or a sign of a comfortable, secure cat with no doubts about the safety and continuation of their home and family. It’s a no-no for strangers to the cat, but if your cat is letting you, it’s a sign of the secure bond between you two.

The cats I raised from kittens will roll onto their backs and stretch for belly rubs when I walk into the room, but the cats I rescued are less enthusiastic about it. They all have grown to let me rub their bellies, but the one who lived outside before rescue would only ever roll onto her side tucked against me so my hand moved onto her belly, and the one from relatives will expose his belly but grumble about me petting it.

Why do people want to see a concert in person, or a famous building, or a piece of art? You can see the Mona Lisa anywhere in the world on your computer screen, why would you want to go to see the actual picture itself? There are better videos of a Beyonce concert on YouTube than you’ll get from a seat in the audience. A football game on ESPN has better coverage than a stadium seat. Why do any of that?

Because the thing itself is special. Viewing it through the screen isn’t the same as being there, as having your breath taken away as the sheer enormity of the moment hits you.