Old man cat has never enjoyed laps or being picked up. He's far too dignified for that. Except on the rare occasions he'd forget he's probably a furry person and not one of the pets, then he'd let me cradle him like a baby. He's awfully creaky these days and clearly doesn't like being held at all, but he'll hop up onto the couch and sit right next to me, which is as close to a lap cat as he's gotten in his life.