Of all the places in the house where they can sleep, why do they choose to sleep on my dirty, smelly hockey clothes that are sitting on the washing machine?

:confused:

This is really common, most cats will pick the dirty laundry or the bed simply because it smells like you.

Yeah.

In their way of thinking, you're the head cat of the pack/litter and anything you've marked that heavily with your scent is something that's safe/valuable/the propper place to gather. If you're absent form them at the moment, they like to have your scent nearby, since you're the provider and protector. It makes them feel safe.

Same reason they will periodically stick their heads in your shoes. Plus they add their own scent to these itmes by lounging on them or rubbing their jawline/cheek on them. Makes them feel like part of the 'group'

I didn't think cats were pack oriented animals.

this is a cool thread.I admire you guys for being able to get into these animals' heads like that...

My housemate says his cat thinks I'm a goddess.

You would never have known it the way he kept me up all Thursday night (the cat, not the housemate) playing "Cat Smash Fever"!!! :mad:

My body clock will never be the same.

... Same reason they will periodically stick their heads in your shoes. Plus they add their own scent to these items by lounging on them or rubbing their jawline/cheek on them. Makes them feel like part of the 'group'

Buster especially likes doing that while I'm wearing them!