Dottie Atwater

Great work! Thank you for all you guys do!

Geeze--you got me. Of course "this" is social media. I meant Facebook, etc. I'll really, really try to be exactly precise in the future.

Keith, do you imply that I am stupid? Of course I know "this" is social media. You will note that I did not name the "veterinarian." I was asking for any helpful suggestions, not a useless reply.

Interesting, and a good question, Two4Paws. There's a "vet" in Volcan whose nickname is "Dr. Death" and for good reason. I've asked Patricia Chan (Spay Panama) if there is a veterinary organization in which people can lodge complaints. The only information she gave me was that the "organization" circles the wagons to protect their own and that (1) social media was the best way. However, I don't know how many Panamanians (who would lodge complaints) belong to social media (I don't); and 2nd, with the stupid libel laws in Panama, who would dare name her in a complaint? Any suggestions, folks? This woman needs to be stopped from maiming and killing animals! Unfortunately, she apparently has a thriving business because too many local people don't know about her incompetence. (She also charges exorbitant high prices!)

After having lots of experience with "boards of directors," I would never, EVER again buy a property with an "association" to which I paid fees each month--and could tell me what I could and could not do with my property!

Yes. I did!

Timing is everything. I recall in the late 70's/early 80's (if my memory is correct), houses were being snapped up in certain areas of California up despite very high mortgage interest rates. I lived in San Clemente, CA at the time. I traveled back through there perhaps 20 years ago. I was amazed that San Clemente was no longer a pleasant little beach town but had turned into a tourist destination. Also amazing was that small OLD condos, one story atop a second story, much like a motel, that sold for around $50,000 at that time were now selling for $250,000! When I left I sold an exquisite new 3BR, 3-bath residence on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean with an almost 180-degree view of the ocean for $103,000. Probably today it would be "worth" a million or more. No matter. I've never regretted moving on from wherever I was at the time. I've "moved on" numerous times in my lifetime, but now I'm very happy with my life in Volcan, my relatively small property, my house, my dogs, my neighborhood, and my work with the spay/neuter clinics in Volcan. I've been here for almost 14 years, which is the longest time I'd previously lived in any one place, ever. I have at last found "home" and my purpose in life. This is where I will live the rest of my life and then die when my work is done here.

I agree. That's exactly why I don't do it. The personal information that people put on Facebook is downright scary!

I closed my FB account--but they said it would take 14 days to complete. Huh? And I'm sure that anything that was there will remain with them forever. Never mind...I'm just glad I had about zilch usage of FB and didn't put any personal info on it.

My daughter lives in the Fort Worth, Texas area. Her job requires her to move to the Houston area. When she recently sold her house in the Fort Worth, there were numerous cash offers. Same with where she closed escrow in the Houston area. According to my daughter, most of the buyers moving to Texas are coming from California. I won't give any political comment for this.

Huh?

I knew Dr. Dru and his wife when they lived in Volcan. His wife's name was Jasmine. I'm confused about his wife now being called "Wakana." Can anyone clear up the confusion? Thanks.

Interesting discussion. I created a FB account some time ago, thinking to promote information about the spay/neuter clinics and the care of animals in general. I hesitate to give personal information on public forums, so I signed up as "Dottie Mae." Sometime later I thought to give my real last name (Atwater) but it was declined with a message something like "false last names are not allowed." I hardly even know how to use FB and didn't care to learn...it seemed that a lot of postings are about silly things like "what color of socks I wore today" (joke) with numerous responses. In creating that account, I didn't give my real birthday (still unwilling to post personal information on a public forum). Imagine my surprise when I received numerous "Happy Birthday" notices related to the fake birthday I gave. (Thanks to everyone, and I'll remember your well wishes for my real birthday!) I've posted almost nil on FB, and certainly nothing about my politics, friends, "enemies," and nothing about my trips (I never leave home anyway--I like it just where I am). So regardless of having very little privacy left in today's world, I do whatever I can to keep my personal life private from the world that spies on everyone.

I wish ATTT would pay attention to the speeders in Volcan. They could no doubt collect $1,000 or more per day in fines (plus help reduce the number of dangerous speeders!). Long ago I sent them a message of this fact via Twitter. No response, no results.

38 animals were spayed/neutered by Dr. Andres Tello, our wonderful veterinarian. http://spaypanama-chiriqui.org/114th.html Plus he also performed several other procedures, including removal of a HUGE tumor that required 1-1/2 hours. Blake Mitchell very kindly brought the dog (not his) to the clinic. Sara Cotton and her husband volunteered to go the following week and administer the numerous required injections of antbibiotics and pain meds. Thank you, Sara and George. ----------------------------- Someone (who knows the owner) brought a female dog from Concepcion to be spayed. Luna is a young Husky. She was starved, just skin and bones, and weighed only 19 pounds. She had been tied on a short chain. After Dr. Tello spayed her, I decided to keep her at my house to regain her weight. Now, after feeding her three times a day for a week, I can still feel her backbone, hip bones, and every rib. See her picture on my web page. http://spaypanama-chiriqui.org/114th.html Because of her beautiful long hair, you can't tell how emaciated she really is. Even after she gains weight, I hesitate to return her to such an uncaring and negligent owner. If anyone reading this would like to adopt Luna, I'm sure it can be arranged. Please contact me if you'd like to provide a good home for this sweet dog. --------------------------------- Our April clinic is already full. For appointments on May 20th, contact me at 6517-8752 or 6361-3234 for Whatsapp. For Spanish, call or Whatsapp 6640-3171. My heartfelt thanks to Dr. Andres Tello, to our wonderful volunteers, to those who donate funds, foods, or other supplies--and to everyone who brings their animals to be sterilized. Big hugs! Dottie

I would never waste my time again with ACODECO!

Thanks from all of us, Marcelyn!

A record day! 64 animals were spayed/neutered by Dr. Andres Tello, our wonderful veterinarian. Plus he also performed several other procedures, including an amputation that required 1-1/2 hours. http://spaypanama-chiriqui.org/113th.html We had a horrendous amputation that would have been totally unnecessary except for the inexcusably incompetent treatment by a Volcan vet 18 months ago. The dog has been in terrible pain all this time. We were appalled to see how the poor dog's rear leg and foot were badly misshapen, and his hip was even disjointed. The owner, who lives in Concepcion, apparently only recently discovered our clinics. She said the local "vet" had charged $600 and then told them the dog would be fine. And now of course, she had no money (zero) to pay for Dr. Tello's very complicated amputation. And he found pieces of plastic--and even an 8-inch length of a bicycle spoke-- that the "vet" had put inside the dog. Previously, Dr. Tello has performed amputations in 45 minutes. This one was so severe that the surgery took 1-1/2 hours. We didn't close the clinic door until 8:00 pm. To me, the treatment of this dog by the so-called "vet" was criminal! Contact me privately if you want more information. To see pictures of the dog before, during, and after the amputation, see the link on my web page. ---------------------- Follow-up on March 3rd--I wanted to make sure the dog was doing okay, didn't pull out his stitches, etc. So Betsy Barbeau called the owner to check. She is ECSTATIC! The dog is doing wonderfully, eating like a horse, is not in pain, and has no problem walking. Another success story! ----------------------- My sincere thanks to Betsy Barbeau. For quite some time while I've been "between employees," Betsy has graciously volunteered to schedule appointments and contact people to confirm. Fortunately, I bought a special "clinic phone" for appointments in Spanish. That way, anyone who has the phone will answer it to make appointments and use it to confirm appointments as well. ---------------------------- The March 18th clinic is completely full. We are already scheduling appointments for April 22nd. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who volunteers, donates, and brings their animals to be sterilized! Big hugs! Dottie

Good. I do hope they stock both brands. Re the comments about the Members Select not including corn. Kirlkand doesn't include corn OR wheat. Anyway, I'll be willing to take a look at the ingredients and then probably try it. Three of my dogs are very finicky eaters.

Hahahahaha! Some stores, yes. But employees at some have no idea what they stock or where. They trot you all over the store looking for it only to report that they don't have the item. I imagine everyone has experienced that.

I had not considered that they might (will?) discontinue stocking Kirkland when they institute their own brand. Yes, PLEASE continue stocking Kirkland as well. They could very well discontinue one or some of the other brands that are absolute crap...Pedigree, Ascan, etc. El Bodegon in Volcan stocks the adult 40-lb. Kirkland brand. It is much more expensive than at Price Smart, but at least that's an option.

Wow! Great to hear about the pet food that will be available in the future. Right now I buy only Kirkland, but I'll be interested in reading the ingredients of the new pet food when it is introduced.

January 21, 2018 -- We had a great start for the new year. http://spaypanama-chiriqui.org/112th.html And by the end of the day, the February clinic was already full. We are now taking reservations for the March 18 clinic. Even though we had numerous no-shows and last-minute cancellations, Dr. Tello sterilized 43 dogs and cats, bringing our total thus far to 4,223. He also performed several other procedures, including removal of a HUGE mammary tumor from a dog. We have (and are) having a tremendous positive effect for our community. And we continue to reduce the births of puppies and kittens that would suffer terribly. I will never forget the scores of homeless, mange-covered, starving and dying dogs that roamed the streets before we began the clinics in March of 2006. My heartfelt thanks to Dr. Andres Tello, our dedicated team of volunteers, our donors (financially or otherwise), and to everyone who brings animals to be sterilized. Big hugs, Dottie

Thank you, Bud!

Is there a hiking group/club in Boquete? If so, would someone give me contact information of a member/leader/organizer? Thanks!