One of our cats is a former stray who got picked up by animal control when trying to sneak into someone’s kitchen through their back door.

Somewhere along the line, he learned to stand when he really wants pets. So if he comes running up to me demaning affection, and I’m not quick enough in leaning down to pet him, he’ll stand on his hind legs especially if my hand is already out, because he’s willing to move his head against my hand while hand stays still.