Lamoni always got up on the counters. We learned to live with that. He would not go near the (electric) stove when we were cooking and no need to be afraid for the long fluffy tail with no open flame. When Fifi came to live with us he "taught" her -as if she needed it - all she nneded to know about the counters.

Then came the kitchen remodel. The cabinets go in BEFORE the counter tops get measured. Lamoni comes out of hiding to investigate the new cabinets. Must look at the tops, right?

JUMP! OOPS! No tops!

"What you doing in the drawer, boy?" After geting over being laughed at (he HATES that), he would climb up and down all over the new install.

Now the counter tops arrive.

Lamoni won't go near the counter tops. Even if I pick him up and put him on the countertops he jumps off like they are on fire.

New countertops are laminate on bound particle substrate. (Read that as cheap.) I kept the peice that was cut out for the sink. I put him into the sink. He liked that but would not get out. He cried until I came and got him. He will not go near the piece that was cut out.

Formaldehyde (sp). They warn you about that in new homes. The cats both hate it.

I'm not suggesting that you go begging at the funeral home. Go by a place that sells counter tops and see if they have a fresh peice of scrap.