The Toaster

My friend just left. She said to me, "Bill, you're one of the most intriguing but strange men I've ever known. So, even though I'll probably regret it, I've got to ask: Why do you have a toaster in the cat litter box?"

Ahh, it's a long story. Back when the kitchen remod got finished, I bought a new toaster - an Oster all electronic and modernistic looking thing. My little black cat, Diablo, (being the strange cat he is) took an instant dislike for the toaster - actually a real hatred. Every chance he got he would jump up on the counter and "pee" on the toaster. I'd find it, clean up the puddle and take him to the litter box. Then I'd run the toaster thru the dishwasher, letting it dry for 3-4 days before using it. Slowly, the thermostat started getting screwed up until, finally, it had to be cranked all the way to get "light" toast. The LEDs started lighting randomly. This damn thing cost something like $50-60 !

I gave up on the Oster. I bought a new toaster without all the bells and whistles - a Sunbeam - for $19.95. It looks similar to the Oster and works well for toast. Diablo hasn't bothered it.

The litter box is used by Runty and Pedro only for "emergencies." Bear uses it after she comes in from outside (yeah, she's strange, too). Diablo used the Oster toaster. So, what would you do to get Diablo to use the litter box? I had just watched the movie where the former CIA guy taught his cat to use the toilet by making a litter box that fit the toilet. I thought, "Why don't I adapt that for Diablo?" I decided I'd put the Oster toaster in the litter box.

It hasn't worked. Bear is po'ed and Diablo looks at the thing with total disdain. I *think* that the Oster toaster must have emitted a sound that Diablo didn't like?. Naturally, it's not plugged in now that it's in the litter box. Hmm, maybe I'll run a cord to it.....