That is exactly what antss is saying: rinse can back up out of the newer models. It is strange because my gasket didn't look all that bad: I have my suspicions that it may have been weakened during the recent phase that I used Finish DW tablets: they have a chlorine like smell, or even the Finish rinse aid. Not sure though how the main detergent could get to the seal. In any case I am now back on Miele tabs & RA and that's where I am going to stay! Thanks antss! Seems that Miele did not know that the gasket could go bad like that. I am glad this is posted in case anyone else gets the problem.

Hmmm... doesn't sound right, mickdpt. A few things to consider: 1. What setting are you using? If you're using "Damp Dry", then it's supposed to leave the clothes a bit damp -- it assumes you want to iron them afterwards. If you're using Normal, only ligher materials will be completely dried. Heavier fabrics like jeans will still be a little damp around the stitching and pockets. This is by design. For bone dry, use the other settings. 2. After about 3 minutes of usage at Normal setting, is the inside of the dryer at least warm? If not, then it's a good indication that a service call is in order. 3. Moist clothes are a sign of poor ventilation. When I first got my Bosch Vision 500 dryer, I had a similar problem to what you describe. However, my unit *was* giving me the error messages (I got a couple different ones). Turns out that the louvres (the little horizontal flaps) on my vent hood outside, were warped and stuck shut from the heat of my previous dryer. I physically bent them open, and the errors went away. So I learned that you definitely need a clear vent path in order for all of the moisture to escape. Check if that's the problem; you can test by detaching the vent pipe entirely, then drying a load of clothes (it's perfectly safe once or twice -- just make sure the room has adequate ventelation). If that solves the issue, then do the following: a)Check your vent pipe for any obstructions b)Check your vent hood outside to see if the flaps (louvres) are openening and closing easily c)If possible and appropriate, replace your flexible foily corregated pipe with rigid piping (7 feet isn't unreasonable, unless it's 100% flexible foil piping -- this is a no-no according to the documentation).

Speaking of glue, I just love Roxanne's Glue-Baste-It. The glue looks like Elmer's--a thick white liquid, but the applicator is a long thin hollow needle that puts the glue out in tiny beads. No mess. I recently used it to attach 140 batting squares to 6" novelty squares and attach the novelty squares to their places in the center of the circles of a Peek-a-Boo I-Spy, then glue-basted the circle flaps over the squares, and I still have quite a bit of the bottle left.It cost $7+ at Rosie's Calico Cupboard. Worth every penny. I didn't use a single pin in this quilt, except for when I was putting the circles together, and was able to stitch down the flaps without any shifting of the fabric. I didn't wash this quilt before passing it on to the person who ordered it, but I warned him, for the first time he washes it, to put it through the machine twice if he noticed any stickiness after the first wash, in case any glue remains.

Thank you for all the thoughtful responses. I'll try to answer questions and update briefly. Sylviatexas, I'd thought of trying the back door, but couldn't get him to come to me there. He's so used to going out the back door in the morning. Yes, I think he connected me and the "big giant slab of door" big time. :-) Annztoo, when the door hit him I stepped outside and called to him with soothing words. There's no problem with his room. Once I bring him in and deposit him at the threshold, he goes right in. In the morning, he's curled up in one of two beds. (Scruffy is usually in the other.) Incidentally, that's the only room downstairs that has a door. I have a very old house with an open floor plan that evolved over the years. Yes, Rocky is eating and drinking normally. I don't have a way to plug in a heating pad on the porch, so for quite a few years I've been using these: Snuggle Safe Microwave Heatpad I have three, and I can't say enough good things about them. Emory, good point about changing a routine forever. I thought of that the other day. Cats love their routines! Or are slaves to them. Either one. Propping the door would be an interesting--and possibly useful--experiment, but it would let single-digit air in. :-) Lukkiirish, I've had experience with cats who were born "in the wild" (barns, etc.)--in fact, my present cat Peachy was one of the tiny kittens and mama we discovered in our ice house. Although these cats could be very affectionate, they were skittish when presented with sudden noises or movements. Come to think of it, so am I--and I was born in Manhattan General Hospital! :-) But Rocky has never been like that. He was calm, curious, and affectionate from the start. I suspect he was dropped off here, possibly because of a persistent infection in his foot that eventually necessitated the amputation of one toe and ended up costing me over $500. While recovering from that, and again from a later injury, Rocky slept with me. One sweet memory I have from those times is when I was petting him, and then stopped. He reached out one of his large paws and gently pulled my hand back over to him so I'd resume petting. Of course I did. Current Resident, good point about how traumas possibly experienced by Rocky in the past might play into this event. I can't know what happened to him before he came here, but I observed something that happened last year. Before that, for his first two years here, Rocky was perfectly secure as "king of the mountain" on our property. He and Scruffy were best buds (still are--no problem there), and he had plenty to amuse himself all day. You could sense his serenity and ease. Then last year a stray cat showed up and attacked him. I saw it happen, the cat leaping in the air and landing on Rocky. He remained in the area for a few weeks, and I heard stories of other attacks. Then he disappeared, but Rocky's demeanor was changed slightly, and apparently for good. The change was subtle, but I noticed it. Update: Yesterday was quite a bit better. Rocky didn't follow me to the mailbox like he used to, but he hung around me outside and got lots of petting. That morning, when I took him out of the bathroom I sat at my desk with him and gave him lots of petting and sweet talk. I received a lot of purring and paw-kneading in return. So last night it went like this: At bedtime I dished up his canned food as usual, but this time I took the empty can with me and set it on the porch. Rocky came over to sniff it, and I petted him a couple of times. Then I picked him up and brought him inside. With Emory's caution about creating a new routine in mind, instead of carrying him to the bathroom I set him down inside the front door. He ran off into the living room, but only briefly. Then he walked past me to the back door, but that was okay because it gave me an opportunity to show him his dinner dish, let him sniff it, and let him see that I was putting it in the bathroom. Sure enough, he followed the dish into the bathroom. Whew! This morning we sat at my desk again for more petting. I'm feeling more hopeful, even as I'm aware this will take more time and patience. Thank you all again!