Pixel has always been my mom's cat, but when I moved out, she had me take her to keep the other cat I had company while I was at work. With the other cat now long since passed, my mom asked yesterday if she could have Pixel back because she really misses her.
Pixel and I have never really been close. I agreed and my mom went all out and dedicated an entire bedroom just for the cat. Pixel is absolutely loving it and keeps bothering people to come look at her room. She also woke my parents up at 4 AM to get pets. She never did any of that while living with me.
Pixel tried to jump out of my mom's arms when we got to her house because she recognized it and wanted to go hang out in her face spot on the steps.
100000% a great decision.
I keep asking my cat to use his words when he's howling at me. But he refuses to divulge his secrets (it's usually "put the blanket on your lap so I can sit on it", or "get out of the shower so I can get in and lick up the drops")
Keep trying. You'll get through to his better judgment one day or wear him down.