Does your cat wake you up in the morning before the rooster or alarm clock can even think to do its thing? Do you find yourself rolling over in bed trying to avoid eye contact with your beloved, but meowing and head butting feline? Is it love or hunger that drives this resident of your home who pays not rent to disturb your well-earned sleep? Will you ever know the answer and more important, at the moment, do you really care?
There is no escape in my home. I have five cats and they are all there by my head after their 3AM convention in my living room downstairs. They all converge upon me in their party hats, aware beyond belief of their power in numbers. (Whoever said that cats couldn’t count was simply not trying to uncover the truth.)
“Time to get up and feed us” is the translation of their meows that filter through the darkness of my bedroom like a police siren. “No, I say. Not yet. Please give me just a few minutes more” And they say, “Oh yeah?” Your mother!”
I try to fool them. Sometimes I pretend to get up, walk to my adjoining bathroom where they usually follow me, and then I track back into the bed and pull the covers over my head. But, alas, they are too smart for me. Some cats follow me, but there’s always one that stands guard and remains on the bed to insure that my return will be greeted in the same manner as my rude awakening. I have even tried going downstairs to feed them and then going back to sleep, but that doesn’t work either. I must be there beside them to adore, cajole and nourish even if I am not awake!
I would ask if you know anyone who would like five cats, but the question really seems to be if you know anyone who might want to buy a slightly used alarm clock?
Here’s to sleep, if you can get some.