Oh, they KNOW what your ear is for. You can be sure of that. Cats are smart.

The first time that your cat meowed near your head and got a better response that meowing near you feet YOU taught her the lesson.

Lamoni used to wake me up by sniffing my ear. His wiskers would tickle my ear. I woke up dreaming of a running car engine. He purrs so loud in my ear, you know.

One day I did not wake up from the purring and tickling. He put his nose right into my ear and gave a loud ME-OW! "I'm up buddy boy! I'm up."

He has given up waking us. Since Fifi has come to live with us Lamoni figures that it is her job.