More Naked Louisiana Adventures!

This adventure goes back a few years during my visit to Louisiana! 

While we were there, I squeezed in an quick echocardiogram at Southpaws Veterinary Hospital in Mandeville, LA.

"Hi, yes! I am here for my appointment!" 
Since, I have HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) I must capitulate to annual cardiac ultrasounds.

Oooh what a luscious leather sofa in the waiting room! 

..and an exceptionally well stocked, complimentary snack bar! 

I will take the goldfish crackers with my soy latte. Extra foam please!

Here is my fabulous, board certified, veterinary cardiologist, Dr. Keith N. Strickland! His "Veterinary Cardiac Consultations" is a mobile cardiology unit servicing Southeast Louisiana! 

He took us on an impressive tour of the clinic. Check out the aquatic therapy machine! Thank you, no. I just bathed.

OK Doc, what are my results? 

Unfortunately, the data was disheartening. My HCM had progressed faster than expected since being diagnosed a year prior.

Dr. Strickland left it up to me as to whether to start medication and I decided to do so. He put me on 6.25mg of Atenolol daily. This beta blocker reduces the force of heart contractions, making pumping more efficient and thus, slows the hypertrophy.

As promised, I got to go to Adventure Pets after my ordeal! Hmm. "Speedy on duty"???

WOW they have a sushi bar!! I will take the yellow one please, on the left. Yes, lemon flavoured, right?

WOW! Speedy really is on duty!!!

I think he is gaining on me!

Speedy is SO fast, he sports his own licence plate!

Yes, I would like to purchase these flame and pink skull, leash and collar sets. How much monies do you require?

What do you MEAN I can not ride on top of the car??

Illegal? Srsly? How is it any different than riding on a float for Mardi Gras? 

Well from now on I demand to enter the vehicle via the sun roof. 

...and I call shotgun.

Also, just as promised, my staff took me to lunch at the "The Ugly Dog Saloon" located in New Orleans' warehouse district!

Yes, which do you recommend? The chili with baked potato or the shrimp gumbo?

Oooh! Look at this delightfully opulent, Mardi Gras beaded piano!

I shall tickle the ivories while we are waiting for my order. Any requests?

I even met a new fan at the restaurant! What brought you to the "Ugly Dog Saloon? The Chili?? Perfect. That is what I ordered!"

Delicious! Yes, lots of sour cream please!

The chili tasted as good as it looked! Nom nom nom. What? Oh! I gave Dr. Strickland, Adventure Pets and The Ugly Dog Saloon all 5 meows out of 5!

Two year update: I had great news at my two postliminary echocardiograms with Dr. JS Boileau in Quebec! Both showed little to no advancement of my HCM since starting Atenolol! I remain on the same dose today! 

Do not forget to check out ALL my other blog reviews! Just choose a date under the "More of my Adventures" heading in the upper right column.

© 2014 Aislynne

St.Patrick's Day Cat Show - Augusta, ME

Last year, my people and I celebrated St.Patrick's Day at the Nauticat's Annual Cat show in Augusta, Maine.

Though there was not a cage decorating competition, my staff went all out in our usual grandiose style!

To blend my coffin cage with a St.Patrick's themed show, we chose to construct an "Irish Wake". 

 Since Mom is Irish we were able to produce an authentic and intricate arrayal!

St. Brigid's Cross high in the corner, tea in a "Carrig Ware" cup and Guinness is a requisite!

 Everyone's Irish country grandmother's house has a picture of Elvis, JFK and the pope! Also, a view with livestock is not uncommon.

 Some probable drunken singers in Aran knit sweaters and caps complete the mourning scene. 

Joyce's "Finnegan's Wake" and "Tales from an Irish Wake" by Margaret Doar Armstrong were placed beside my coffin along with my favoured "Fish Hook" wine.

 Though St.Patrick himself was not Irish, he is renowned for converting the Irish to Christianity. 

 Patrick's parents were Romans, living in England, when he was enslaved at age 16 by Irish raiders. After 6 years in Ireland he escaped to a British Monastery. 

 March 17th, 461 AD, the date of his demise, is the day we celebrate!

His colour, blue, was also used to represent Ireland, along with the golden harp. However, with influence from Ireland's landscape and the wearing of a shamrock on St.Patrick's Day, green became popular in the 1790's. 

The shamrock, Trifolium dubium, used by St.Patrick to teach people about the Trinity. Its three leaves represented the Father, Son and holy ghost, separate entities, yet one in the same. 

St.Paddy's Day was a religious holiday from 1903-1970 in Ireland. People had to abstain from drinking since pubs were closed!

What do you think of my fur collared, green satin vestment? Divine, I know!

 So, how did Count Von Count measure up at the cat show? 

Well, with a 3 day, 18 ring show, he got zero call backs! Not one, solitary top ten ribbon! 

We were very surprised by his lack of placement... 

But Count did not seem to mind!  He says he still got some points to count and not getting called back for a ribbon meant increased nap time! 

 Speaking of slumber, these singers are getting on my nerves with the Irish drinking songs!

Perhaps some Champagne will help me sleep! 

Count and I give the Nauticats St.Paddy's day show 3 meows out of 5. Though the event was huge and well planned, we wish more people had decorated. Plus, a 3 day show was an awful lot of work for us! However, we look forward to going again and made lots of new friends!

Oh noes!!! My glass is empty!!!!

Do not forget to check out ALL my other blog reviews! Just choose a date under the "More of my Adventures" heading in the upper right column.

© 2014 Aislynne