Interesting conversation at the vet.

[Mr. Kilt]

My wife had to take our 12-y/o cat to the vet yesterday for a test, and had an interesting story to tell me when she got home.

A bit of background, first...

Our oldest cat has had nothing but problems since the beginning of the year. It started with gum/tooth disease, then we found out he was diabetic. Lots of fun (and much $$). We've been taking him to the vet on average twice a month since June, sometimes more. 9 out of 10 times I'm kilted when I go. No-one there has said a word to me at all, until 2 weeks ago. I had to go into the back area for a moment and one of the female vet techs turns and says "wow, I love the kilt!". I said "has no-one noticed it before?" Apparently they hadn't. At any rate, that was the end of the conversation, until yesterday.

My wife had to take the cat in as I was working. While she was there the receptionist asked her why I wore a kilt all the time. Karen said "because he's Irish". The receptionist said "is that all"? Karen said no, that I find it very comfortable as well. The receptionist just said, "oh, ok". Very odd, but at the same time good. It doesn't appear to be an issue with any of the staff there, but it will be interesting to see if they say anything to me the next time I take him in.

Btw...Lincoln, the cat, is feeling MUCH better now. The insulin injections (which he hates) are working like a charm. He's pretty much a toothless old kitty now, but at least he's healthy again.
Lincoln is the tabby, Salem is the little black one.

[Freedomlover]

Glad to hear Lincoln is doing well. I have a 19 year old black cat who looks just like Salem, though he is a lot thinner. Strangely, he still has all his teeth which I can't say about my 12 year old favorite cat, Cody. He has lost three fangs and most of his incisors. They both eat all I'll let them have. Of our 7 cats only two are 12 or younger, and all but one have been with us since they were kittens. I heartily agree with the pillow on the chair.

My experience with the vet is much like yours. A couple "Oh, that's nice the first time, then no further notice except a little from the waiting room crowd. Same at my doctor's office. (Strange, I seem to be seeing more of him now than in former years. )

[GMan]

Good to hear about Lincoln Al. It does seem that people behind the counter in places like that always give you eye contact, which is good. Or in your case cat contact.

For sure a non-issue.

[Wompet]

Al,

I notice that you didn't say anything about the vet mentioning the kilt. That's good - that means his or her attention was on Lincoln, were it was supposed to be. Of course, if your vet is anything like the ones I know, his/her thoughts were probably "Okay, exam's done, write up the chart for the Gingles' cat, send that up to the receptionist with instructions and today's bill ... waitaminute - was he wearing a kilt? He was, wasn't he. Huh. I'll have to ask him about that next time." Next time: "Al, hello, how has Lincoln been, etc. ... see you in two weeks. Now, write up chart for - hey was he wearing a kilt? He was, and he was wearing one last time too. I'll have to ask ..." and Repeat.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Al,

Looks like we have the same taste in cats! Check out below. Murphy is the tabby and Sami (Samantha) is the other one. Interestingly enough, Murphy also has diabetes! Diagnosed about 2 years ago, and we have been giving him insulin twice a day every since. Both a bit younger than yours though. Sami, the black one is just a year, and Murphy is going on 8 next year. We also have Murphy's brother, who looks very much the same, but more white in the face, and Ariel, who is Sami's negative image, i.e., she is pure white. We are done from our animal high of 3 dogs, and 6 cats, only 1 dog and 4 cats now.!

[Riverkilt]

Good story Al, glad your cat is better.

I've had cats all my life. Can't imagine living without a cat around. Current cat is all black too, Bajita, named for the combination of baja = lower and "ita" = little from when she was a baby kitten among big cats.

Can't recall the name of the lady who wrote it, but she said something along the lines of " 'tis a fearful thing to love something you know will die." Which fits for cat ownership for me. I know when I pick a new one that I'll probably outlive it. Had a Siamese that made 21 years.

One reason my local WalMart sells a lot of garment bags, keeping my kilts cat hair free.

As much as I enjoy kilting, if it came down to it and I had to chose between kilts and cats for some reason I'd pick cats.

Ron

[Bob C]

As much as I enjoy kilting, if it came down to it and I had to chose between kilts and cats for some reason I'd pick cats.

Not me. I'd pick kilts in a second. Unfortunately, I'd have to pick a new wife, too.

For some reason, she's attached to those little shedding, scratching and pooping machines.

[GlassMan]

Since I'm allergic to cats, I stick with dogs. But I still think cats are cute as the dickens.

But I did have a funny reaction the last time I was at the doctor's office.

Unfortunate I was there because of an intestinal disturbance. The doc diagnosed it as viral and gave me a prescription. The then said that a Nurse would be in to give me my first dose as a shot. The nurse came in, saw me in the kilt and said "Oh this will be easy."

She asked me to stand up and turn around. At which point she promptly flung the back of my kilt up and jammed the needle home!

Afterwards she commented that it was the easiest shot she'd given all day.

[chasem]

That is hillarious, Glassman!

[cormacmacguardhe]

My wife and I maintain quite a menagerie, in addition to our small flock of hens, with their two roosters; we have three African geese, a white duck, a turkey hen, two dogs, about twenty cats and a room full of cages with 21 guinea pigs. Our account with our vet is quite large, even though she gives us a discount on spays and neuterings. Oh, I forgot our miniature mule. The biggest problem I have encountered so far with cats and kilts, is when one of the cute little felines decides to jump on my lap, and uses their claws to get a foothold. Ouch!!!