My economics teacher in 9th grade accidentally dried her cat. She used to tell the story all the time, mostly by student request since they heard from their friends about it. Apparently she started the load, probably 50-60 years ago now, and went out as a family doing something. Maybe shopping. When they got back the husband found it and quickly just told them to leave, handed them some money and told her and their kid to go out and have fun in town. He then had to clean up the mess.