Beep beep beep. That’s the alarm clock. Time to get up.

That’s a sound from my past, though. I’m not sure exactly when this began, but our alarm clock rarely has a chance to go off these days. Rather, it’s now the kitties who jump onto the bed and meow into our ears nonstop. My eyes blink open, then droop shut again. Open, close. Over and over, until I drop off again. Seeing I have no intention of getting up, the cats bring out the big guns: Cat licks my face, while Kitten licks my feet, tickling me at both ends. I thrash my legs and shake my head, but this dispels the last of my drowsiness, and I am forced out of bed. Having got their way, the kitties twine delightedly between my legs. I have to admit that this very paws-on method of waking me is far more effective than the alarm clock ever was—it only ever produced a loud sound. Not that the cat-alarms are silent, they just go meow meow meow instead of beep beep beep.

The first time this happened, the kitties summoned me out of bed and led me to their empty bowls. Seeing that not one speck of food was left, I understood why they’d woken me with such urgency, and hurried to fill the bowls. Petting their heads, I told them, “Go ahead, eat!” Then I went to the kitchen to get something for myself. Lazybones that I am, it had been a while since I’d been up in time for breakfast.

The following day, I was awakened again, and this time they brought me to the window. Looking outside, I saw the sun just appearing in the gaps between the buildings, swaggering up into the sky, all puffed up and growing larger, anxious that the sharp-edged skyscrapers might puncture it. As the sun carefully rose, its crimson glow dyed the surrounding clouds with a delicate blush. It had been a while, I realized, since I’d seen the dawn.

On day three, the kitties led me from the bed to my desk. In the middle was a new book I hadn’t even unwrapped yet—even though I’d bought it a whole week ago. I’d wasted so much time that week having fun. How long had it been since I’d settled down to read a good book?

The fourth, fifth, and sixth days followed. Now we’re at the nth day—I’ve lost count. And still the kitties spring to me each morning, waking me up on time. Meow meow meow … meow meow meow … That’s the alarm clock. Time to get up.