Max and Abbie don't go on kitchen counters or the dining room table at my house. They do go on the coffee table between the couch and chair. They used to only walk across it to get from the couch to the chair however last summer when my air conditioner broke and it was in the 90s, Max fell asleep on the coffee table. It has a glass top and was cool for him so I didn't have the heart to move him. Heck, I probably would have been right up there to cool off with him if I could
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At my parents' house I have to wash them in the kitchen sink (unless I want to take them in the shower with me). The first time I gave them a bath there my dad put them on towels on the counter to dry them. He held them while I dried. I just followed his lead. I really don't think that it's safe for them to be walking around up there but it sure was easier on my back to dry them while they were on the counter.