Foster Family

Taking in foster dogs can be a complex activity.  It probably appears simple to the casual observer - a local rescue group arranges for the inbound transfer of surrendered or stray pets from a shelter (often out-of-state) that can't observe a no-kill policy due to over-population and under-adoption.  The rescue operation may or may not have any physical facilities, but depends on local foster homes willing to take in the rescued animals and care for them until they are adoptable - and adopted.

This care of course always includes the basics of survival, but also a variety other needs must be met.  I have always specialized in the adult females - often momma dogs recently seperated from puppies they were brought in with.  The puppies are easy to adopt out.  Their mommas, with saggy teats, often emaciated torsos and ratty fur, and various amounts of emotional baggage (just like us!) are not so immediately irresistible.  They are often timid or untrusting of human kindness and unfamiliar with good house manners.  In addition to physical rehabilitation, and possible medical care, the foster people must assess the current state of the dog (beyond what is known by the rescue crew and releasing shelter - usually not much) so they know what needs work, and what information to pass along to potential adopters.  Does she need confidence/trust building?  Know how to sit for a treat?  Wait to be taken outside to go potty?  Walk on a leash?  How will she react to the presence of other dogs?  Kids?  Men?  Women?  Riding in a car?  Is she a counter surfer (looking for snatchable food when unsupervised)?  Suffer from seperation anxiety?  Tolerate being in a crate?  Photos must be taken to show her at her best, to illustrate adoption listings on the Internet.

Lap time.

The current dog we are fostering represents the greatest challenge of all.  She is absolutely adorable, with almost no faults.  She is eager to show and receive affection, doesn't bark or smell funny, has fur like a sable or mink, seems gentle with all she encounters, and is just small enough to occupy a lap now and then (often accomplished by a flying leap).  She hangs out in her crate willingly, but shows ecstatic appreciation for walks and even visits to the back yard.  Or moving from one room to the other, following at the feet of her newly adored caretakers for that matter.

Her name is Annabelle, and she is among the best, sweetest nap dogs ever.  You really couldn't awake being nuzzled by a cuter beast, with her inviting belly waiting to be scratched. 

"How do you give them up?", people ask.  "I could never do that!", they say.  Well, it isn't easy.  Many who try fostering end up with 'failed fosters' they hadn't intended to adopt - it is a risk.  There have been at least a half dozen among the twenty we have fostered that had me agonizing over the prospect of releasing them to adoption homes.  And people often mistakenly think they are being helpful to suggest ecouragingly, "Oh, you should keep her!" What makes it tolerable, then?  Finding for them a better home than I could provide, generally.  I don't know at this point if I might work full time again, or relocate to another country for some period of time.  Such things are challenging enough for me at this point that in order for the coming changes to occur I feel I can't really afford the additional distraction and responsibility of being the permanent guardian of a dog that I am in love with.  I don't want to work full time leaving a dog home alone for ten hours at a time, and while others relocate internationally with their pets, I would probably experience too much anxiety about the process.  I also have a pretty poor track record of making wise choices about what to do with my life in recent years, leading to continual uncertainty.  If another family can provide a great space, stability, loving attention, one or more dog or child playmates, then I can feel that the benefits for the dog and the adopting family are multiplied, and my own ultimate reward is greater in surrendering to them the devotion and unconditional love that quickly develops and flows from these grateful fosters. 

I also hesitate to take on the lifelong commitment for maintaining the emotional and physical well-being of these innocent, dependent little beings.  I enjoyed the lifetime companionship of  two (dog) girls over twenty-five years, and I find myself going through a spell right now of wanting minimal responsibility.  There are also times when I feel barely up to the task emotionally of caring for myself, such is the power of post-mid-life angst these days, with all the uncertainty about the path forward and remorse over past mis-steps

So off little Annabelle will go tomorrow, hopefully to enjoy a fabulous life with her new family of two responsible adults and their four charming and dog-craving children.  They called, then came over to visit a few days ago and spent a considerable amount of time getting acquainted with Annabelle, who was but one of several dogs they checked out. "Who are the dog lovers?",  I asked the two older boys and two younger girls - I think all their hands shot up.  Their previous dog died in December, and they are ready to open their home and their hearts to little Annabelle, who clearly won them over from their first meeting.  It was wonderful to see how much the girls and boys (and parents) enjoyed interacting with her, and how well Annabelle recieved their attention.  I really appreciated how much thought and effort they put into the adoption process.  The kids are home-schooled, so there will be someone around the house most of the time.  With any luck at all they will collectively experience many years of the joyous experience enjoyed only by those who adopt these unique little creatures of mixed ancestry.

I know there are innumerable rescue dogs waiting for their chance at a better life if I can find the time and strength to continue repeating this process, and when the right time arrives, there will be a very special dog waiting for and needing me to share her life beyond foster care.

 

Health Care or Health Scare

While it might not seem directly related to my blog theme of the exploration of Mexican ex-pat life, health care is a poweful motivator and worrisome issue - especially for those who are early-retired and without some sort of sponsored or subsidised coverage.   I suspect a significant portion of the Mexican ex-pat population from the U.S. was influenced in their relocation choice by this issue.

For now, just a few links here that provide context so I can easily refer back to a single location for discussion of this topic.  Perhaps over time I'll come back and refine this reference.

My essential position:  We need single-payer health care like every other advanced western country on the planet.  They all get much better outcomes (like longer life span with better health) at a fraction of the cost of our current dismal U.S. system, where horrific high premiums go largely to wasteful things like tens of millions in executive salaries (within a single company) feeding into 30% or so overhead for billing, marketing, and administrative costs.  There is a national movement to make this happen.  The OECD has a good summary of our inferior current arrangement.  The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is a poor substitute for a national single-payer system.

A number of those leaving the U.S. for life in Mexico and elsewhere are in part seeking a better opportunity to maintain their health without ruinous expense.  In addition to affordability, the way care is accessed and the resultant process and outcomes can be vastly superior and more sensible.  Much fewer unwarranted tests and interventions, and a more humane interface to the system are likely.  Aversion to exposure to the crushing expense (for those with unsponsored, high deductible, or non-existent coverage) and byzantine processes of the U.S. system can keep U.S. residents from receiving early or preventive care that may be life-saving or prolonging.

If I have a health care concern here in the U.S., and would like to get in to see a doctor, it is likely a difficult thing to schedule, and there will be reams of paperwork on arrival.  It will likely cost hundreds of dollars no matter how small the complaint, and it will not be covered by my high-deduction overpriced policy.  I will expect to be under-served and treated badly by the staff, and assume the treatment I receive and outcome will probably be largely determined by profit and legal liability concerns of  the practioner's office.  If I see a doctor at all, it will probably be for five or ten minutes - just as likely I will be seen by a physician's assistant (but still billed a high dollar amount).  Weeks or months later, I will receive complex explanation of benefit paperwork (required to track my high deductible) from the insurance company that shows my ultimate charges by the doctor office.

In Mexico, if I had a concern, I would make an appointment (with a specialist M.D. if I thought it appropriate) probably for the same or next day, and the cost would be around $25, cash.  With a minimum of paperwork, I would see the doctor for maybe a half hour to an hour, while a proper assessment of my situation was accomplished.  At the conclusion of our appointment, the doctor would hand me a card with his or her cell phone number and an invitation to use it.  They would probably be available to visit my home for a followup if I did not feel well enough to return to their office later.  I would pay for this inexpensive visit out of pocket.  If a more serious condition was revealed, I might have to use either affordable private major medical insurance, or one of two very inexpexpensive national health care programs that are open to ex-pats.

Mexican hospitals and physician offices may appear to be modest, with plastic resin chairs in the waiting area and peeling or scuffed paint on the walls, while U.S. facilities often resemble lavish exotic resort hotels or spas.  I would rather pay for my care, rather than prestige facilties that establish and enhance an elite rarefied atmosphere for the U.S. un-wellness industry and its denizens.

If I had only a minor concern in a Mexican village or city, I might just go a nearby pharmacy clinic for three or four dollars and see a doctor for a few minutes, and walk away with a prescription medication (if indicated), although no actual prescription is required at the pharmacy counter for most medicines. 

Mexican pharmacy clinic - $30mxn equals about $2.50 USD 

For those willing to self-diagnose and medicate this no-prescription policy can be very helpful.  Years ago I experienced a minor problem with my eyelid a few times.  Treating it required a prescription anti-bacterial ointment used for several days.  In the U.S., I would have to make a $175 appointment with a doctor to have him (or his PA) look at the eye, then write the prescription.  Maybe another $20 to fill the prescription.  In Mexico, I would simply go to a pharmacy and buy over the counter for maybe $5-10.  I should note that one doctor wanted to do a fairly invasive surgical remedy, which I declined, and proved to be entirely unnecessary.

Finally, on another note, there is the issue of end-of-life care.  Perhaps a subject for another discussion, for now I will post a link to an excellent article.  I think it is reasonable to assume that Mexico would be instinctively, practically, and culturally more inclined to provide the more sensible and humane exit from an incurable or hopeless situation that many of us may one day have to deal with.

---

Catching up this morning with a wonderful blog from rural San Miguel de Allende, this story grabbed me emotionally and triggered that level of sadness that only a story of dog suffering or passing seems to evoke.  I've lost several of my own, and we are a serial foster home for local rescue.

Chucha Comes Limping Home

One of my hesitations about relocation to Mexico is the alarm and dismay with which I regard the various callejeros (street dogs, or their more rural campo dog cousins) encountered in everyday life.  The challenges and deprivation they deal with is often evident from their appearance or behavior.

I recall earlier posts mentioning Chucha, and the affection I felt for her on reading them. This update is a sad closing chapter.  RIP old girl...  

---

South of the Border Dystopia

I watched a Mexican film tonight, selected almost randomly, mostly for the Spanish practice. What I saw was perhaps the best science fiction film of this generation. I felt the same about it as I did when I saw TXH1138 (George Lucas' first feature film) around 1971. They are both brilliantly original dystopian visions incorporating various ominous features of contemporary life bitterly realized into cautionary tales, and with cathartic outcomes where the human spirit prevails (at least to some degree) over dark forces of inhumanity.

   

 Sleep Dealer
(Traficante De Sueños)

I felt there was not a false moment, and there were innumerable wonderful small elements, as in TXH1138, that left me filled with admiration for the film-making team and wonder at the authenticity of the story.  I know from a number of Mexico visits that the settings, situations, and characters there were in perfect fidelity for what they purported to represent.  Where there were stylized future evolutionary representations of culture, they were equally believable and appropriate.

There are very few films I can actually use the term spellbinding to describe, but for me this is one...

Clipped Wings

It's been about fifteen years since I was an active pilot.  Occasionally I consider whether there is still any opportunity for me to be actively engaged again in aviation.  As usual, it seems there are many facets to this possibility - in favor of and against.

Teaching days - working in a C-310.

The cost of any aviation activity is prohibitive without a high income or vast accumulated assets.  Since I have neither of these, that would leave getting paid for aviation work, or possibly having acquaintances who are able to operate in some fashion and might welcome me as a sidekick of some kind.

Working seems unlikely, as it has been so long since I was flying regularly, and there is great value in this business placed on recent high-volume activity.  In any event, I would require a great deal of remedial training and education to get me up to speed on current knowledge and skills.  There is also the issue of liability, especially in teaching.  I wouldn't be comfortable signing off folks as I used to for a variety of privileges.  Another concern would be my drift toward a generally more cautious temperament - it always seemed even in the past that I was excessively cautious, to the point where I wasn't prepared to get the maximum utility out of the system.

Familiar flight school classroom materials at the local field.

Recently, I went to a local pilots' association meeting to meet some aviators and hear some pilot talk.  They enticed me to become a dues-paying member, and suggested that I get an airport badge so I could roam about the field and check out open hangers where the activity might be found on some weekends.  If I can at least cough up some gas money, there are probably local flying activities I can participate in, even if it mostly passive.  For now, I don't anticipate getting a medical certificate or flight review that would enable me to formally exercise privileges of my certificate and ratings.

I still have a powerful interest in all things related to aviation, and given the right opportunity could find satisfaction in some involvement.  However, given the challenges I may just have to be content with reading about it in industry print and web material.  Maybe what I really want to do is just find occasional opportunities to be an airport bum - or 'ramp slut', as we used to refer to the practice back in California...

Flew the new Cessna trainer with a demo pilot in July.  

An aircraft model I used to fly, spotted in Salida.

Me and Hitch

"I'm full of fears and I do my best to avoid difficulties and any kind of complications. I like everything around me to be clear as crystal and completely calm."  -Alfred Hitchcock

And yet 'Hitch' was able to complete over fifty films - some of which routinely appear in critics' lists of the best films ever made.  This offers me some reassurance that I might still hope to accomplish some worthy things myself going forward.  I have already accomplished some significant things, like owning a photography business, becoming an Airline Transport Pilot rated flight instructor, and working as a self-tought network engineer.

But increasingly in recent years, I've been adopting an attitude like Hitchcock's - avoiding hassles and complication whenever possible.  Chaos and uncertainty are unwelcome, and clarity and calm are the standard for an acceptable day.  Since dealing with others for any purpose often seems to invite disorder and unwanted and unnecessary complexity to otherwise simple situations, this has resulted in increasing avoidance of social situations in general, some difficulties with relationships, and doubts about re-engaging with conventional work. 

I wonder if Hitchcock operated with this mindset from the beginning of his long career, or if this influenced him only later, after having already delivered his huge body of work.  I may try to find a date for that quote.

I'm currently reading a book by Harry Browne, called How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World: A Handbook for Personal Liberty.  While I'm only about a third of the way through, it seems to offer a lot of insight and encouragement for how to function in a world full of demands and expectations that are not necessarily aligned with what we need or want.  I'll follow up later with a review, after completing it...

---

Clip Joint

Got inspired to post this by a haircut entry from a blog I follow by a pleasant and well-spoken fellow who has made a home with his partner outside San Miguel de Allende.

For the past few years, I've put off haircuts for as long as I can stand it, then start watching for coupons for one of the local franchise hair places - maybe for eight or nine dollars.  With tip I am out the door for about ten to twelve bucks.  One of the highlights of my trip to San Miguel de Allende in February was a stop at a barber shop/hair salon for a two buck (maybe $2.75 with tip) haircut.  The place was carefully selected on the basis of walking by it randomly.

I couldn't fathom what the observer in the doorway was thinking.

The girl working looked very uncertain about my arrival, but we quickly negotiated the kind of haircut I would get (clippers on the side, scissors on top, short in the front), and I was out of there in about ten minutes.  From the attention I received from other patrons, it seemed evident that not many gringos dropped in.  The haircut was fine - I'm not very fussy and as I approach age 60 the attractiveness of my haircut is the among least of my worries.

The girl in the chair behind me captures the moment on her cell phone cam.

It's not just that I am cheap, and delight in getting things more affordably (although I am and do) - it is the whole experience of dealing with people, the style of the business, the signage and infrastructure...  Lots of things are just more fun to experience in Mexico.

OK, is it Mari or Mary?

---