[SWHouston]

Focusing on the Recliner issue for just a moment...

Both mine like to lay by my feet, when I'm watching TV.
I have a Bunk under the Coffee Table, and a blanket (now)
out in front of that, because there's not enough room in the
Bunk for two. (have just recently added a Female to our Fam)

I can't see over the edge of the Recliner to see if one of them
is laying too close, where if I pull the leaver, outward movement
of the footrest will scoop or hit one of them.

YEA YEA, I know, I should have looked over/down and seen
who was in the way, BUT, I just didn't think of that at first.

Anyway, I "scooped" my Female a couple times before I got
in the habit of looking, and it took several days for Her to
get over that. She would stand out away from the Recliner
and sorta cry to join "us", My Male is quite used to dodging
the footrest.

What I'm trying to say is, there may have been a similar incident
which will take time to recover from.

Procedure now established...
A little "warning" whistle before a slow pull on the handle
of the footrest, gives everyone time to position themselves
to jump up and attempt to acquire prime locations (my lap mainly).