My Jim cat raises his front paws for me to pick him up. He likes it when I sling him over my shoulder.
Our Ellie does the same as your Jim. She was spoiled by her previous owner and treated like a baby.
Poor thing was an “only child” the first 6 years of life, then ended up here with our “herd”. BIG adjustment. She doesn’t get as spoiled as she used to but is one of the two who are allowed to sleep with me. All the others are shut out of the room.
The bed isn’t big enough for all 37 of them. LOL