You know the scene. You get up from the couch for two minutes—to grab a drink, use the bathroom, answer the door—and when you return, your dog or cat is curled up exactly where you were sitting, looking up at you with an expression that’s part innocence, part defiance.

They stole your spot. Again.

But why do they do it? Is it simple warmth-seeking? A power play? Affection? The answer is actually a fascinating mix of instinct, comfort, and love.