Through The Mud Clearly

So.....late last night/early this morning I am sleeping peacefully when my cat starts her "it is time to get up" meowing crusade. I; knowing that is nowhere near time; roll over and go back to sleep..at least try to. She keeps meowing. In half asleep mode I tell her to "come here" and reach out to pet her. I notice her fur feels strange...kinda like how one of those fur- less cats might feel. Alarmed by this, I open my eyes to see I have been petting Aflack's (my giant duck) foot! Marmalade is staring at me from a couple of feet away with her amused cat look. She then jumps on the bed and goes to sleep. Fortunately I was able to get back to sleep also!