What's With Jumping on the Counter?

Fellow cat owners, I have a problem.  Well, two of them if we are getting technical.  My cats – we’ll call them Dumb and Dumber for simplicity’s sake – have decided that it is perfectly acceptable to jump on the counter.  While I appreciate the offer to help pre-wash the dishes after dinner, grubby cat prints all over my counters is a real turnoff for visitors, and baths in my sink are really doing a number on the drain.

They are not even subtle about getting on the counter.  We will be relaxing in the family room and hear the telltale “thump!” of paws hitting the floor after an evening snack.  If they hear us walking into the room, they will jump down but hang around as if they know we can’t do anything without proof.The other day, I caught Dumb (whose real name is Wifey because he’s a nag) cleaning out an empty bowl of ice cream.  After I smacked him and told him just what I thought of cats and counters, I went away to brush my teeth.  On my way back, I rounded the corner and there he was again!

It’s not as if we haven’t made our position on the matter perfectly clear.  Between the yelling, spray bottles and general hubbub anytime they are caught on the counter, I know they know it isn’t okay.  So my question to you is, what do you do about the darned things getting on the counter?

The only redeeming quality this pair of hooligans has is their spell over my two-year old daughter.  Anytime she sees one, she squeals in her highest voice, “Kee-y!” and rushes over to grab one.  I just don’t know if the counter antics are worth the momentary happiness for her, because once they are out of sight, they are out of mind, but never out of counter.