Thursday – A Little Personal – Bailey Has a Question

~ John W. Howell

“Hey, Pops.”

“Hi, Bailey. Looks like you have a question.”

“I do. Lucy and I need some information.”

“Okay. I’ll try to help.”

“What is that thing over there?”

“That is a new waterer.”

“Why do we need that?”

“So mom and I don’t have to keep filling the bowl. Go try it.”

“I’m not too sure. Lucy, you go over there.”

“Um. Looks pretty scary to me.”

“Oh go on you big sissy.”

Lucy gets scared

“Uh-uh. Not going over there. The thing gurgles.”

“Stella. What do you think?”

“You big coward. Wait. That thing is making noise.”

“Lucy? I don’t know how many times I have to tell you to leave me out of your messes.”

Stella and Lucy

“Hey, Boss. I think Stella is afraid.”

“Not on your life you white moose. Just cautious is all.”

“Okay ladies time for an opinion.”

Bailey

“Well, Pops. I’m afraid that contraption is just too risky for we warrior types. Even though Stella is a Frady Cat and it is natural for her not to like it, I think we are going to be forced to pass.”

“Who’s a Frady Cat?”

“Okay ladies. Mom’s not going to be happy but I can lead you to water but can’t make you drink.”

“Isn’t that a saying about horses, pops?”

“Still fits.”

“For Lucy anyway.”

“That will be fine, Stella.”

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

79 thoughts on “Thursday – A Little Personal – Bailey Has a Question”

  1. This one hit too close to home, John. We have such a thing, for the cats, but Maddie will drink out of it because she wants to drink out of everything (it’s why the toilet seats are down). Our cats like the running water effect. But, cleaning it is a hassle, the pump gets clogged with hair and I think we (my wife) spend more time with it than the old water bowl.

    I love the personalities you share your house with.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Mine are the same. Eos (rhymes with chaos) won’t even eat her dinner unless Clare and I are sitting in our TV chairs – except, that is, when I give her tuna with her dry food, in which case she doesn’t care who’s where.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Another great visit with your 4-legged children! Their expressions are priceless and the dialogue is precious. Change disrupts even the worlds of our furry friends, doesn’t it? Have a fabulous day. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes. These guys have their routines and to move them is a monumental task. I think we have another donation to the rescue group. The last one was a water fountain where they had to put a paw on a lever. The reaction was unanimous, “Nope not doing that for sure.”

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  15. Well, some things are best old-school, and watering pets seems to be on that list. Hey, just think about all the good exercise you’re getting, bending over time and again to pick up that bowl and replace it!!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I have a fearless dog and a frightened-of-everything dog. But what they have in common is their love of eating and drinking. We have a similar watering system to yours, and the gurgling isn’t an issue for either of them. In fact, I think it’s almost Pavlovian at this point… they hear the gurgle when the water flows down and both go running for the bowl.

    Here’s hoping your little ones change their minds.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Well John, it seems to me you are going about this all wrong. When I was a child we had an obstinate dog that couldn’t be coaxed into anything. The vet told my parents the best way to get him to accept something new was to demonstrate. So, I guess you’d better get down on your hands and knees and have a sip.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. I had the cutest little water fountain water dish for my cats and then…we adopted a dog. Said dog proceeded to gulp all the water out of the fountain while the cats glared from a distance. I had to make the (not really) difficult decision to get rid of the fountain and keep the dog. The cats still aren’t very happy. 🙂

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