Dr. Josh Trebach spends his days facing intense, life-or-death decisions inside a bustling emergency room.
His calm under pressure and quick judgment save lives every day.
Yet one quiet evening at home, the experienced ER doctor found himself stumped by a situation that had nothing to do with medicine — and everything to do with love.
A Doctor’s Heartfelt Dilemma Between Two Beloved Cats
It started with two soft meows echoing from different corners of the house.
Mako and Bucket, the rescue cats who had stolen Trebach’s heart years ago, both wanted his attention at the exact same moment.
The problem? Each was in a different room, watching closely to see which one he would choose first.
For a man used to making critical calls in seconds, this one felt almost impossible. The thought of disappointing either of his furry companions made him freeze in place.
Mako’s chirping call came from one side of the hall, while Bucket’s impatient voice rang out from the other.
Both clearly believed they were entitled to their human’s undivided affection — and in truth, they weren’t wrong.
The Internet Weighs In On A Cat-Dad Crisis
Instead of deciding right away, Trebach did what any modern pet parent might do when faced with an impossible choice — he asked the internet.
With humor and sincerity, he shared his “ethical dilemma” on Twitter, explaining that both of his cats were calling for him from separate rooms and that they’d know if he picked one over the other.
Thousands of people quickly joined the debate, offering clever and hilarious solutions. Some advised luring both cats with the irresistible sound of food being poured into bowls.
Others suggested calling to them with gentle “pst-pst-pst” noises until they came running to him.
A few joked that he should sit in the middle of the house and let the cats make the next move — or, as one person quipped, “Get a dog.”
ETHICAL DILEMMA: both cats are meowing for you to come play with them but are in separate rooms and are watching you so they will know if you choose the other cat
— Josh Trebach, MD (@jtrebach) April 11, 2023
what do u do pic.twitter.com/LSCQAAvjQ2
The playful thread spread quickly across social media, bringing smiles to pet lovers everywhere. It wasn’t just a funny post; it reminded people of the tender, often silly moments that define life with animals.
Viewers imagined the scene vividly — one cat sulking in one room, the other waiting impatiently in another, both convinced their dad loved the other more.
Get a dog 🙂
— Gaidar Magdanurov (@gaidar) April 12, 2023
What began as a lighthearted question soon turned into something deeper: a shared understanding that anyone who has ever loved a pet knows the constant balancing act between fairness and affection.
The Sweet Solution That Made Everyone Happy
As comments and jokes poured in, Trebach finally came up with a real-world solution — one that perfectly reflected the kind of thoughtful person he is. Instead of choosing between Mako and Bucket, he called his husband over for help.
Together, they split up, each walking into a different room to shower the cats with affection. Within minutes, the sound of laughter and purring filled the hallway as the whole family ended up playing together.
Thankfully I’ve got two hands to play with two cats pic.twitter.com/4tMvIcbS8j
— W (@wellesoliver) April 11, 2023
For Trebach, it was a small but meaningful reminder that love doesn’t need to be divided to be shared.
Mako got her cuddles, Bucket got his playtime, and their humans got the joy of watching two happy cats feel equally adored.
Later, Trebach reflected on the moment, smiling as he explained how something so simple had brought so much warmth to their home. “We love our cats so much,” he said. “It always comes down to making sure everyone feels loved — even when it takes teamwork.”
The story quickly became a symbol of the gentle chaos that pet parents everywhere understand. It’s the kind of small domestic dilemma that makes life sweeter — two little souls competing for affection, and one loving human doing his best to make it fair.
As the internet laughed along, it became clear that this wasn’t just about cats or a funny tweet.
It was about the bond between humans and their animals — the daily choices, the compromises, and the endless affection that tie them together. In a world full of heavy news, this tiny moment of kindness stood out.
And so, what began as a simple question about which cat to play with first ended in the perfect answer: love them both, at the same time, and let joy fill the room.