No Speak Meow

I think I've figured out how to get Zoe to want to spend time with me: get the laptop out and do some computing:

She frequently hops on the bed, walks over to my left, looks at me, and meows. Often she puts her paw on my arm. I look at her and say, "What?" I pet her, but that doesn't seem to placate her.

Until we got her, I've not been a cat person. I don't understand Zoe's behavior that well. Our dog Jake is easier to understand. I call his name, and he comes. I tell him to go lay down, and he does. When I ask him if he wants to go for a walk, he enthusiastically responds in the affirmative, "OF COURSE I DO!" I've learned dogspeak. Catspeak will take more time, I think.