Purrrfect9 has the right idea. That is the best way to introduce yourself to your Leo...IMO. I try to remember.... If this was my home and saw this big two legged monster reaching down inside it, I would be really scared too. There is that possibility that your Leo just doesn't like to be picked up. My girl doesn't appreciate being taken out of her home at all. She will climb on my hand, lick it, lay on it, let me pet her back, but as soon as I try to pick her up shes gone!(this makes cleaning day quite an adventure!) I have had her for about 8 months. Some Leos just don't like being handled.