I used to spend part of each yoga practice gently encouraging Sally the tabby to move off my blanket as she joined me in the weird human thing I seemed to be doing, which often puts me in a cat petting position, but rarely results in feline adoration. Then I folded my blanket a bit differently one day, and she had a place to do the cozy cat while I did the downward dog. Sometimes the best way to get what you want is to give a little.