Dottie Atwater

Thanks, Bud. I didn't even notice the "all content" option. That's a big help for future searches.

Please point me to it. I did a search on "DGI" and "property tax." Nada. I also need some help with the site. I entered my RUC, then clicked "forgot my NIT." The site then asked for my email address but said it is different than what they have on file. I tried a couple of previous email addresses. Nada. Is there any way to change the email address they have on file? Thanks for any help!

Does anyone know where to find blackstrap molasses here? Thanks!

The other part of my question was "what do they do there?"

I hear about indigenous "going to the Comarca." This is probably a silly question, but where and what is "the Comarca?" And what do the indigenous do there?

Dixon Lab will give you the sterile container and written instructions about how to obtain the water sample. It must be done correctly for a correct result.

Will do.

Thanks for the tip. Does he speak any English?

I wish some medical person in this area is knowledgeable about bio-identical hormones!

Horrifying and sad. But I wish people would not call deranged criminals "animals." Animals do not commit wanton acts of violence.

You guys are wonderful! And cats, too? Amazing! My dogs would kill a cat in a heartbeat.

Thank you, but I think it would be utter chaos at my house. At least I have a "system" of feeding a couple at a time and keeping the others separate. Also, two of mine are on special diets.

How in the world do you keep them from fighting? I have to be ever vigilant with my pack. And I am amazed that they are all calmly eating right next to each other. I could never do that with mine! Feeding time at my house is a real "adventure."

No, I did not pay liquidation before. This was for about 9 years of employment. Silly me, I did not have a contract, and I did not pay decimo or vacation (or called it that), although I gave the employee MUCH more money than paying those things would have been. I was WAY too generous and I treated him more like a friend than an employee. Gave him free rent in my casita, even provided the gas and electricity, gave him use of my car for personal things, paid for doctors for him and his family, gave him many items of clothing, and many other benefits. Now I know better, both about contracts and to keep an employee strictly an employee, not as friend. I assume responsibility for the outcome. I now realize that most Panamanians have no concept of gratitude and merely think of us as a "deep pockets" money machine. I won't make that mistake again. (That's not to say I will be a "Simon Legree or unpleasant to an employee because of this.)

Well, what I posted came from two separate accountants who specialize in employee contracts and the labor law.

Believe me, workers know the word "liquidacion" and the other monies they are "owed." I don't think there's any way around paying SS these days, contract or no contract, plus a portion for decimo and vacation if they terminate, whether they quit or you fire them. (Apparently you owe them more if you fire them.) They guy who I "owed" $100 worked for me starting October 16th, but his contract started November 1st. He worked one month under the contract. I asked my legal adviser how he could prove he started on October 16th, and she said the labor board will always take the employees word with any issue. Also, in the past, it was customary to have a three-month probationary period in a contract. I had that in my contract with the last guy and it is meaningless these days. I think the residential community you mention can't possibly avoid any of the labor laws, by whatever means. I wish to heck I could do without an employee, but it is impossible.

If the employer doesn't renew the contract, he/she is still liable for liquidation and a portion of "vacation" for the six months worked. Plus, it is my understanding that each time a termination/renewal is done, the employee has to be taken off social security and then put back on....which is costly and a big pain in the butt.

Good grief!

A long-term employee left and I ended up having to pay him $8,000. Never mind that I paid him very generously and gave him many thousands of dollars extra over the years, plus many other benefits. Now I recently hired one who worked six weeks for me. He got drunk twice. He was living in my casita. The second time I had to go wake him up was the morning after pay day the previous day. He lost/drank all his money except for $10. Then he wanted to borrow money from me, saying he couldn't work without having food. I refused, and he left. After working for me for only six weeks, I had to pay him $100 for liquidacion and a portion for his "vacation." I am certainly not alone in getting the shaft like this. Nothing to be done about it...just venting. Dottie

Who can educate me about rooting a phone; the "why," "how to," and what to do afterward? I have a Hyundai smart phone. There is practically no information on the internet about this brand. All sorts of ads pop up wanting me to install different junk. Also, even though I check "do not allow installation of apps from unknown sources," the phone changes itself back to "allow." I've done a "backup and reset" twice but that didn't help. I have developer options enabled but most of it is Greek to me. But interesting within developer options/Process Stats is com.robincleaner.lite.monitor. "Robin Cleaner" installed itself this morning and I uninstalled it. It is reported to use 46% (of what I don't know). There is a "force stop" there, but it is grayed out. I assume this crap is pre-loaded in the operating system and that rooting the phone would allow me to get into the operating system--kinda like accessing the Registry in a PC--but I wouldn't know what to do from there. Are there any smart phone gurus who can help me? Thanks! Dottie

Thanks, and I like your moniker, Two4Paws!

For this our final clinic for 2017, see the details at http://spaypanama-chiriqui.org/111th.html There are so many people to thank and recognize, starting of course with our volunteers, donors, and Dr. Andres Tello, without whom none of this would be possible. We thank you, we love you, and we hope to see you all again next year. Thank you for showing up, setting up, staying late, bringing food, and being there to help us with our mission. Thank you all for a very good year! We will have a short break, and then the next clinic will be on January 21, 2018. -------------------------------------------- Yippeee! In the recent nation-wide "Heros For Panama" contest, there were 7 very worthwhile nominees, but Pat Chan, founder of Spay Panama won this most prestigious award...and a check for $20,000! Chan won with nearly 50% of the total votes cast. Chan's Spay Panama group has sterilized over 145,000 dogs and cats as of last week. We are so proud of Pat Chan and her loyal volunteers who do so much for so little. In addition, Pat Chan has been the inspiration for several local spay/neuter clinics being initiated around Panama. She was certainly MY inspiration to begin the clinics in Volcan! Congratulations and BIG HUGS to Pat Chan and the entire Spay Panama group! ---------------------------------------------- My heartfelt thanks to all of our wonderful group in Volcan. We ARE making a difference! Dottie

I definitely qualify under the "no property rule,, but does anyone know the process to get on that system? Thanks.

Sometime back I was asked by someone to write an article for International Living. I explained to this nice woman that sure, I'd write one, but without the rose-colored glasses and that I'd write about the pros vs the cons. She explained to me that she has a disabled husband and that their income comes from her writing..i.e., International Living for example. She did not contact me again. She seemed like a very nice person in a tight position...but there is an example of where International Living publishes their lies.

Sorry this is late being published. I've had (and still have) many problems with Jose Denis Espinosa after he quit working for me. This was certainly a wake-up call for me about how the "employee" situation works in Panama! (Anyone who wants details can contact me privately.) See the web page at http://spaypanama-chiriqui.org/110th.html Our final clinic for 2017 will be on November 19th. We are looking forward to a much needed physical and emotional rest for December! Please make a note that all appointments in Spanish will be taken by Cristhian Pitti at 6640-3171. For appointments in English, continue to call me, Dottie, at 6517-8752. Many thanks to everyone for your participation and donations. Dottie