May 13, 2004

The Early Morning Wake Up Call

I have had a few questions about our feline family so I thought that I would post a bit on them... our little fuzz balls. I cannot imagine life without them.

First I was asked about their names. Both are Hawaiian and I asked a Hawaiian lady if local people would think I was being insensitive if I did this and she said no not at all , and I have found this to be true. I named them while we were waiting to get into our house and they were still with their Mum. They stayed 15 weeks with the mother kitty. a long time and may explain why they have such wonderful dispositions and are so downright cuddly.

Makoa means "Filled with Courage", It is a common boys name and is an adjective attached to a noun in a name... He is Popoki Makoa or the "Brave Cat" His markings resemble the wood grain of the curly Koa so Ma Koa, can mean " as/like the Koa tree. I was thinking tree and hes sort of a chicken compared to his sister. Isn't that how it is?

KaNani means "beautiful One" or "filled with beauty" This name is given to both boys and girls so you could have a son and name him Makoa Na KaNani... While Mak is striking with his stunning fluffy coat, Nani is beautiful, not so much in her colors or markings, she is an average grey mackerel tabby, but rather in that she is a cat's cat. A terrific hunter and into everything she is clever and wise. Affectionate when she chooses... I am honored ever time she wants into my lap... Which only happens in my office chair in the mornings when I am having coffee and my devotions. We talk to God together just us girls...

The cats amaze me. I cannot believe how much they reason out things and solve problems. When I am here alone, They are so attentive its hard to get anything other than petting done. They know when I should be in bed...At promptly 10:30 pm Makoa is up at the computer trying to hit the escape button, now that he has learned that will effectively end a blogging session. Biting my feet gently also lets me know that I am quite past my bedtime and best be wrapping things up.

There is a method to this madness. There are sleeptime rituals to be performed and if Woody is not here its my DUTY to be there for Makoa...After all isn't that why God gave cats humans to look after?

First, I have to go to sleep. Its no fun to have a human waiting for you. You must be in charge of things after all you are the cat and she (ie me) is the human... So around midnight Makkie jumps up on the bed and walks on me to get me up (I have been known to sleep throught it LOL) then stands on me,(all 21 lbs on his little pointy feet... I get bruises...) Purring like a 450hpr diesel engine (its really loud!) he will wait for acknowledgement of his presence,pets must accompany any verbiage ( why DO humans talk so much...Shut up and pet me) Nibbles on any visible appendage are allowed to assure that I am properly awake for the most important part...Then he will do " happy paws", you know the kneading thing, on me, usually my leg then hell maybe lay down and sleep till 5 am when he will then go and have a bite to eat and make sure that the house isn't falling down... This is a normal night. Last night I ran him all over the house chasing his mousie on a string and the poor beast collapsed on the bed and snored all night...And we had no 3 am operatics but...When Woody goes to Kona, Makoa will bring me a catnip mouse and sing to me at 3 am. I think hes consoling me, or thanking me for getting him more room in the communal sleeping nest, by booting the other guy out... Who know what lurks in the mind of the feline... Little cat thoughts...

Meanwhile...My girl kitty KaNani is on her own, patrolling the house at night, playing with toys or other things she finds, often many legged...LOL...Some times I find "parts" of her evening entertainment, out on the lanai. We have trained her to take things she catches out the for easy disposal if needed. She spends little time sleeping at night and sleeps most of the day . I find her in the am usually on my desk in the early morning sun.

Mak is a great alarm clock and will wake me at 6 am only on tues-sat, when I have to go to work.. He knows when "stay at home days" are. We find this fascinating. Once I get up they run out to the screened in lanai, where they spend the day sleeping and watching the birds and wild chickens. WE lock them out there as we found that much mischief was averted in the house when we are away.

I am likely growing allergic to them, but I dont care. They aren't going anywhere... I love them to pieces. They are my furry children and I say that unashamed. In my worst moments here in Hawaii, with Woody or what ever, they offer quiet (and not so quiet)comfort. How often does one find unconditional love in this life? For me, its not much farther than a word away and there will be a jingle of bells and my little guy will be there...Purring his heart out... an angel in furry pajamas.