Behavior- playing or fear

Question
I have a 1.5 year old Calico mixed. She is one of two sisters. Her behavior is not like what I read on the net. I don't have to look at her tail because her meows her unique needs and I know exactly what she wants at the time(clean my litterbox, I need attention, I want more food) except this.  I can't tell when she wants to play.  She will walk up to me and meow then run away.  If I dont get up she will sit there and keep doing it.  I chase her up the stairs or in the closet, but it seems like she will hide underneath something where I can't reach her.  But if I give up, she will come out and it starts all over again. But If I pick her up and cuddle, she cry's (her lips actually quivers)for me to put her down.Please tell me if i'm misreading her needs.  Thanks

Answer
Kathy,

She is training you well. She almost has you play-trained! (smile)

Tabbi

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Kathy,

I'm sorry you took my answer as a joke and not how it was meant to be....a light-hearted answer to your question that was intended to relieve your worries and make you smile.

Since you are a serious person I'm sorry I tried to add some humor to my reply that she is just playing.

The cat is being vocal (your term: cries) because she is communicating to you that she does not want to be held, she wants to continue playing. Cats do not have the same concept or expressions of emotion as humans. They vocalize at different levels and tones to express their needs and wants at the moment.

Yours 'cries'. When my calico wants to play and not be held she will growl. Another I have will hiss. Neither are exibiting any anger, they are just expressing in their own way what they want...not to be held but played with interactively.

What I meant by play-training you is only that you are understanding her desire to play when she exibits that behavior and are responding to it like she wants you to do.

Again, I apologize.