Jack 1, Mrs. G. 0

There’s a battle of wills currently taking place in the Gressel household. But it’s not a “brains vs. brawn” war this time around – nope, it’s a “Mrs. G’s stubbornness. vs. the cat’s patience” assault instead.

Let the games begin!

It all started on Christmas morning, when the Lovely Mrs. G. gave our two cats (Jack & Tasha) a practical-and-useful gift – a new water dish. This is one of those fancy models that you can tip upside down and fill a plastic water reservoir, and then tip back over, giving the felines an ample source of liquid refreshment over a course of days.

Imagine – no having to run down and check the water dish twice a day. With this amazing new miracle breakthrough, the cats will have fresh water any time they wish. No more thirst, no more having to lick the bathtub (or God forbid - the toilet) for needed moisture.

The only problem? Jack refuses to drink from it.

Now, we’re not sure why exactly he’s being so contrary. It’s a beautiful new water dish – it certainly beats his crappy old Tupperware bowl that he’s been using over the last 10 years or so. It’s like moving up to Waterford crystal after years of drinking out of a McDonalds “Grimace” cup.

But for some reason, Mrs. G’s gift is getting the snub nose from our old black cat. And he’s made his displeasure well known.

HOOOOOWWWWWLLL!! MEEEEOOOOOOWWWWWWWW! RRRRROOOOWWLLLLLL!

For hours at a time.

Well, Mrs. G. decided that the Pampered Prince would just have to get over his issue (whatever it may be) and drink out of the dish like millions of other cats do. But no.

HHHHOOOOOOOWWWWWLLL!

He spent the afternoon following us around, practicing his panting, despite the fact that there was a half gallon of fresh, crystal-clear water waiting for him right next to his food dish. He even climbed into the shower and got his feet good and wet, then jumped up on Mrs. G. to show his negative opinion of the water situation.

But the battle of the wills was on. Mrs. G. versus the cat. And neither side looked like it was about to budge.

RRRRROOOOWWWWLLLL!

Finally, last night at around 10:00 Jack was standing in the kitchen, howling in front of the dishwasher, so I picked up a food bowl, put some water in it, and put it down in front of him.

And he drank. And drank. And drank some more. Like he’d been crawling through the desert for the last month, and had miraculously come across an oasis.

Meanwhile, Mrs. G. stood to the side, calling him all sorts of derogatory names. But Jack paid her no attention; he was too busy quenching his little kitty thirst.

But when she finally walked away, Jack lifted his head from the bowl, smacked his lips, and then walked away himself. He’d obviously proven his point; there was no need to continue.

Of course, at this point our other cat Tasha showed up, and she too drank from the food bowl. Never mind that she’d been perfectly content to drink from the new watering system earlier in the day; I guess she figured that if Jack could get away with it, then so could she.

As for Mrs. G., she gave up and went to bed.

As of this morning, the new water dish is still next to their food, still full. Jack is fast asleep in the middle of our bed, and Tasha has claimed her usual spot on the couch.

So remember this, boys and girls – sometimes an animal has a mind of its own. And in Jack’s case, he’s used his to show the world that he really is in charge in his house.

King of the castle, indeed.