Ben Franklin once said that nothing in the world is certain except death and taxes. Obviously Franklin didn’t have a cat, otherwise he would have added "cute expressions of feline love and affection" to the list. Those are facts about cat behavior, and they’re as true as anything Franklin ever said or wrote.

Here are seven of my favorite adorable kitty love gestures.

1. Greeting me at the door

Just like the guy who shot this video, my return home is always greeted with raised tails and mews of delight.

2. Snuggling and head bonks

Whether I’m sitting in my chair watching a movie, reading a book, or getting ready to go to sleep, it never fails that Siouxsie will climb all over me, rub her head all over my face and then snuggle as close to me as she can get.

3. Mutual grooming

What could possibly be more adoring that two cats spending quality time grooming each other …

4. Purring

… except maybe the sound of a kitten in the throes of ecstasy.

5. Giving gifts

This is another Siouxsie specialty. She will often walk through the house loudly meowing, with her favorite toy held between her teeth. Other times I’ll step away from my desk chair and return to find that she’s left one of her toys there for me.

6. Interrupting your work with hand bonks

Thomas is the primary hand bonker in my house. If I should dare to continue writing when Thomas feels it’s time for me to pet him, I’m the recipient of this adorable gesture.

7. Soothing the savage … baby?

Awww! Watch as this cat gently lays a paw on this infant’s head and soothes her tired tears.

What are your favorite feline gestures of affection? Share them in the comments ÔÇô- with photos and videos if you can find them!

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About JaneA Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing their award-winning cat advice blog, Paws and Effect, since 2003.