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By Jeannie Friedman
So here I was getting ready to leave Nicaragua and move to Panama. I had moved there with eight cats that I had rescued. I started out with nine but the airlines I flew with lost one on the tarmac. I proceeded to lose three more due to disease contacted there. But soon at my door there arrived five Nicaraguan baby kitties.
First street dog arrives
Then there was the rescue of "Boo", my first street dog, who obviously had been very mistreated, but with time started to trust me. Now I have his unwavering love and devotion. The other two --Paloma and Merci-- came to me through other means of rescue. As in the States, I couldn?t get anyone to step up to the plate and open their homes to any of these animals. So I did the only thing possible when faced with this type of move: I chartered an airline to transport myself, three dogs and ten cats to our new home in Volcán, Panama. Now, I am far from being well off financially, but in the scheme of things the flight was relatively inexpensive and very smooth.
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Escape from Nicaragua
The morning of our "escape" I crated the three dogs and ten cats. Soon my dear friends, Janice and Julia, arrived with their trucks. Another friend, Helen, from around the corner, was already there to help with loading. Soon we were on our way, just needing to pick up Timothy, who was flying with us to help with all the animals. Not to mention he wanted to see Panama.
Then, there was the usual red tape trying to get out of Nicaragua?I had gone through all the correct procedures with the local vet. All the shots and papers were in order according to him. But as we proceeded to get on our flight, the authorities said that I needed more papers. Exit papers no less! So, in the heat of the morning, I walked three blocks to another building for those papers in order to get the animals out of Nicaragua. But before he would give me the actual papers I had to return to the airport to pay a deposit at the bank and then bring that receipt back to this man before I could get the papers! Then back to airport to give the exit papers to the authorities.
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What is this lady doing?
We really caused quite the excitement at the airport?crates of animals, clothes, inflatable beds, dishes and all the other things needed to live while waiting for our shipment of household goods to arrive at our new home. All of this was to fit in a small plane. We actually did it! I must add that the flight was smooth and very beautiful. Too bad the animals could not have enjoyed it.
At our flight destination, David, Panama, I had arranged beforehand for someone to help make our arrival "easy". The van I had leased for a day to get the animals transported to our home in Volcan was also waiting for us. My friend, David Dell, was there with his vehicle, to be sure we could haul all the other stuff to the new home.
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We were checked and rechecked by authorities, but all in all, the arrival was very smooth considering what we had gone through in Nicaragua. I had to laugh when after we unloaded all the animals and other things from the plane, airport personnel brought out a drug sniffing dog. I think he was somewhat confused due to all the animal smells, He appeared to satisfy his keeper.
By late afternoon we were all safely transported and planted in our new home in beautiful Volcán. Three weeks later, I can happily say that myself and my family of animals are all extremely content.
And yes, it was worth it!
Animal Shangri-la
Every morning when we get up I look over to the mountains and watch the sun rise over the 11,000 foot Barú Volcano. The clouds start to move around noon and the mountains are constantly changing their look. The air is clean and fresh and all I can think of saying is "Thank You"!
I literally have "cool cats" and dogs!
