A Snip, Snip Here... - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

Luis & Leo basking in the sun!

Veterinary Costs in Costa Rica

I always like to keep you up to date on how much it costs for services in Costa Rica.

We currently have TWO cats, Luis & Leo. Both of them adopted us. They are both males and they are strictly outside cats. However, we do feed them, provide beds for them and care for their health and for the most part it is like having 2 (inside cats) except that they live outside. To that end, I feel a responsibility to make sure they have their shots and also to make sure they don't produce any offspring or do that whole fighting, yowling, spraying thing!

However, I was surprised myself when we took Leo in yesterday for "neutering". I made the appointment in Spanish. We dropped him off at 9:00am and picked him up at 4pm.

The bill was 15,000mil colones 

15,000CRC =25.6567USD

oh and we got a bag of cat food for 1,000mil colones =1.71977USD

I knew it would be less expensive than in the states (which I understand can run up to $200) we had already had Luis fixed but I was really surprised when I saw the bill. It sort of scared me at first because I thought I had made a mistake in my Spanish and he didn't get the right procedure - however the bill plainly says "castracion" so... there ya go! (btw- our other vet was a bit more but I can't recall now) 

Anyway. these prices make it a lot easier to help the stray cat population stay healthy and keeps the population down.

Leo

Just thought I would share that with you.

The Week in Review - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #3

Another busy week in paradise!

Saturday

Sunday 

Jazz in San Ramon

 Monday

Tuesday

Bought 2 more pieces of pottery

Wednesday

Thursday

I have eaten some delicious sausage at one of our expat friend's home. When I asked them where they got it, they said they have it made in Grecia. I asked them where and they told me that they take their own fennel seeds and chili flakes (not available in Costa Rica) and take them to a Carnicería (meat store) in Grecia and have it made (it is pork w/20% fat) the butcher provides the casing. So, after I "borrowed" some fennel seeds and chili flakes I went into town and located the store. Isidro is the owner. He makes it for 3,000 colones ($5.18 US) per kilo (1 kilo = 2.2 lbs) So I ordered 2 kilos yesterday and it will be ready for pick up today. I will let you know how it comes out.

Oh, we had a visitor this week from Atlanta. Her name is Kia. She attended the Sisterlocks Annual meeting with me and also went with us to The Sunday Salon Jazz Series. She is a Sisterlocks Consultant and cosmetologist, so she also cut my hair for me. 

Kat Yoga With Kia

Cane Toad Link

Sorry the link did not come out on the 1st post

2nd post  for
Email subscribers -

here is the link

Dangerous Toads in Costa Rica Can Kill Your Pets - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

As promised, I am posting my findings on the dangerous cane toads that are here in Costa Rica.

Hopefully I can help others to keep their animals safe.

This is the one that killed Lily & Lola

Here is a link to the 1st entry (more to follow) please check the label on my sidebar under "cane toads":

BIG BiG THANKS to my friend Lynn Clark who has been researching the subject for sometime and is sharing her research with us.

PLEASE READ:

How to Save a Dog Poisoned by the Bufo Marinus Frog (Cane Toad)

What Did We Do This Week? - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

The week in review

A pretty normal week for us. Starting with a hair appt on Monday and will end with a trip to the feria this afternoon for weekly shopping and on Saturday, a meet up with some new friends we met at Dîner en Blanc.

and....

A rather large Katydid appeared on our patio. Katydids are related to crickets and grasshoppers, with large back legs for jumping. They have wings, however, and will fly away from danger.

Adults are remarkably well-camouflaged for sitting on trees. Their body resembles a green leaf, even down to a detailed venation (veins in the leaf). Katydids will remain very still when on alert, but will quickly fly away when threatened, scared or disturbed. Nymphs (juveniles) have spots or speckles of black on them and eventually mature to the complete green color. 

In the end he flew away to safety!

Plight of the Katydid from Devon on Vimeo.

OK folks, that's a wrap.

Have A FANTASTIC weekend!!

You have to make it yourself - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr #2

Posting a short video of the new gates we had made to enclose the side of our house and make it into a dog run for Lily & Lola. If you have ever looked at photos of our house you will notice that we have a pretty big yard.

Lola looks out at the patio (where she can clearly see the cats, now that we put in the new door)

When we first moved here, we thought just fencing the area would be enough to hold them, but even though it is fenced now, there are way too many small openings here and there that are just big enough for the girls (dogs) and the boys (cats) to get through. We feel it is not safe for the dogs once they are outside of the yard.

Lily

In Costa Rica dogs are free to run the streets. Many of the dogs are strays and lots of them are bigger than ours (but I might add, many of them are very little and they make it just fine out there). If you are a Costa Rica dog, you know how to take care of yourself, since this has been your entire existence. However, the urbandoggs don't know nothin bout taking care of themselves out there on those mean streets! They are used to being walked on a leash in the neighborhood or in a supervised play area at the dog park! So, they we have pretty much been pinned up inside the house since they arrived a year ago.

The other problem, as I have mentioned before, is that we had no idea when we moved here that we would end up with 2 cats adopting us -- and that the dogs would absolutely HATE them (even after a year) The barking that goes on when the cats come to sun themselves right in front of the window(s) where the dogs are, is well...crazy making!!! Then the screaming begins as we try to settle the dogs down and...it's a real shit show!

So...both the dogs and us, needed a change.

Finally we figured out a solution! We would gate the area along the side of the house and turn it into a dog run. On one side of the house is a high retaining wall and the other side is the house. No holes for them to escape through. Next problem...how do we find a gate? BTW - we found NO doggie gates at any of the pet stores (most pet supplies are found at a vet clinic) We did find one sort of baby gate which we use inside the house, holding it in place with filled up water bottles because the walls are cement and so nails are pretty much a no go. All part of living in paradise y'all.

In Costa Rica you don't just go to the local hardware store to buy a gate (BTW there is NO Home Depot in Costa Rica). You have to make it yourself or find someone to do it for you. Just so happens that the same gentleman who made the back door for us could also make the gates. (Tip for today - if you move to Costa Rica find yourself a GOOD handyman)We went into town and bought the supplies (less than $20). He came over to measure on Tues, sent us a design on Wed and on Friday he was back to install it! YES!!

Thank you Jesus, we are so happy!!!!And the gates are beautiful.

Take a look.

A Gate for Lily & Lola from Devon on Vimeo.

Screens on 9 windows, new screened back door and 2 side gates ✅
Pura Vida - Life is Good!

Our Cat -- MIA on the Ridge - Our Life in Costa Rica Yr#2

Part of last week was anything but pleasant.

(Post might be a little long but I thought it important to explain everything)

On Friday Lavanson fed both cats, Luis & Luego, as he normally does. On Saturday morning he remarked to me that Luis was a "no show" for breakfast. We both found this a bit odd because Luis is always quite prompt for meals and meows loudly starting about 1/2 hour before mealtime. In the mornings when we open the curtains and look up he is usually on the roof looking down.

Luis did not show up for dinner on Sat either.

We had company that day and it was also the day of the expat family meet up so I put it aside and figured he would show up later.  I was so busy that I didn't have time to really worry too much about him but by the time our guests left it was around 8pm and he was still no where to be found.

Luis in Spanish class

On Sunday morning only Luego was there for breakfast and I was really worried by that time. He had never been gone for this long.

Sunday dinner...no Luis.

Now I am in a semi panic! Although I know that male cats will wander off and may be gone for days at a time, generally that is not the case for neutered males.

Our yard also has a hole near the drainage pipes where the cats come and go and also some of the dogs that wander around free. Lavanson noticed that on the morning that Luis was missing there was dog manure on our patio. There is a crazy stray dog that hangs out right next door to us. He comes out and growls each time we take the girls for a walk and even when we go by on our way to the bus stop.

Overnight it rained pretty hard.

I went outside meowing a million times (he will usually come when I call him) -- I went up and down the street and all around our yard.

Still no Luis. He NEVER stays out in the rain.

What made it really sad was that you could tell that Luego missed his buddy. He is a feral cat but each night he would show up and sleep in the chair under the light on our front patio area. He looked pretty lonely!

By Monday I feared that something terrible had happened to him but still hoping that maybe he had just been a "curious" cat and would return soon, prancing in like nothing had happened.

Later that day I was sitting on the love seat where I could see the backyard and I noticed a small, still body over near the fence. All I could see was a little head with ears. It looked like Luis. I ran outside and he was just lying there. I picked him up because he could barely walk. He was muddy and his body was limp as I carried him to the house. He wouldn't eat or drink. He also had a strange look in his eyes (which kept closing). I was advised by one of my friends that I should take him immediately to the vet to have him checked.

Since we have no car, we called for a taxi and took him into town. He was running a slight temperature and there were signs of inflammation in one leg so the vet ran some blood tests on him.  The results showed a higher than normal white blood cell count so he was given 2 different antibiotics and a pain killer. Since it is difficult to give meds to a cat the doctor said that we could bring him back for 2 more treatments and they would administer the antibiotics via injection.

Check Please!

We settled the bill for 91,000 colones or about 159 US$. But listen to this part, the bill also included a med size bag of holistic dog food, 2 (1 month applications) of NexGard - kills fleas & ticks, a 3month supply of Advantage (flea & tick killer for the cats) and some dog treats that I bought!

The bill for the treatment/visit/exam/test/all 3 visits for antibiotics was probably only around $77. Can you imagine the cost in the states?
Great medical costs for pets here in Costa Rica!! Make a note!

So, we took Luis home to mend. I brought him inside and he mostly stayed locked in one of our spare bedrooms under the bed for 2 days and slept. As he began to feel better, we noticed that he also had a wound on his tail which none of us had noticed on the initial doctor visit. On our 2nd visit for antibiotics we had it checked and turns out there were LOTS of larvae inside the wound. Sickening Ugh! The doctor said they would need to keep him and put him under to remove them. We could come back to pick him up later in the afternoon.

Once we got him home and the anesthesia wore off, he began to act like himself again. He was eating and running around the yard. I tried to get him to stay inside again that night but he is not litter box trained and he was antsy to get back outside to his "life".

On our 3rd visit, after his injections (and what I thought was our last visit) the doctor said to bring him back again on Monday for a check up. I think they are going to make sure the infection is gone and that his tail is mending properly.

So that's pretty much where we are now.

Cats in Costa Rica

Luego

Luis is an outside cat and Luego is feral. They both just showed up and sort of adopted us. Luis is a very friendly, charming and intelligent cat. Who could resist? Luego was brought over by Luis when he was a small kitten and they have become good friends. At first we didn't like Luego too much (hence the name, short for hasta luego = bye) but he is really growing on us. He is a nice cat but since he is feral he will not let you get too close.

I'd like to point out also that, unfortunately, cats have a rather short lifespan in Costa Rica. Two other friends in Grecia reported their cats "missing" on the same day and neither have returned as of now. We all live too far away from each other for the incidents to be related but just to show you how common it is.

Luis has had all of his vaccinations but Luego has not (I do intend to "capture" him and have him neutered very soon though) There are lots of dangers lurking out there from cars to snakes, and poisonous insects, to dogs and other cats. We heard on one ridge that someone in the area was putting out poison meat and in another town close by, pumas have been reportedly eating pets and livestock!  The best way to keep a cat alive is to bring him inside. Even though I never planned to have a cat, I would bring Luis inside if I could, but Lily and Lola, who after a year STILL have not adjusted and simply do not like to be around the cats. Any chance they get, they will chase down the cat with the intention of hurting him (he weighs 7 lbs now - the girls weigh a little under 6 lbs). I have heard that if they ever went to battle the dogs would probably lose, but who wants to take that chance?

So, Luis is back outside.

I am grateful each day that I hear his meow and see them both ready for breakfast.

And that is Life in Costa Rica! Not always a "perfect" paradise!

Watch our story below

The Day Our Cat Went Missing from Devon on Vimeo.

** note to my email subscribers: please excuse any typos you see in my blog posts as you get the 1st publication which will not reflect corrections -- as I mentioned previously, feel free to click the link and read the corrected version online. Thank you!

Ten Days till Xmas - Costa Rican Traditions and other things you need to know - Our Life in Costa Rica

Luis must be photographed alone as Lily & Lola still do not like him!

Since my plan is to post a holiday picture every day through the end of the month, I decided it might be nice (and helpful) to also include some of what I call, "interesting" facts and/or oddities about adjusting to life here.

Many people are thinking of making a move to Costa Rica in the near future
and well...
just thought you might want to know.

 It's 6:30 am on Thursday in Costa Rica 

Today is housekeeping day, garbage day and Spanish lesson day (for us)

I never get tired of this view!

December marks the beginning of the Christmas traditions and holiday season in Costa Rica with its crispier air, cool winds blowing during what are usually sunny cool days, clear and starry nights. Unfortunately the change in seasons has not yet come to pass and the rains continue, although it appears that the "Christmas Winds" are beginning.  As a matter of fact the other night we had a "tormenta" (storm) with thunder and lightening that took out our TV. Hoping it can be repaired. 

During the holiday season almost all Costa Ricans:

• crave for tamales with coffee or agua dulce, baked pork legs, and refreshing eggnog

This is Costa Rican eggnog. I have not tasted it yet but understand that it isn't as "rich" tasting as the eggnog back in the states and is a bit watery. I will let you know.

Every Tica (female Costa Rican) knows how to make tamales. Today, Erla our housekeeper will make some for us. Costa Rican tamales are very different from Mexican tamales. Do not get the 2 confused! To start with, Mexican tamales are wrapped in corn husk and Costa Rican tamales are wrapped in banana leaf and it goes on from there (table for another discussion). 

• get their deserved Christmas bonus to buy presents and Christmas decorations

Christmas Bonus Pay Day: No later than December 5th. (this is a law)

Over $1 billion dollars of Christmas bonuses are paid to the 1.5 million employees in the country to boost up the holiday season. The bonus is equal to a person’s one month salary and generally it is used to pay debts, save for the next year, and shop for manger scenes and decorations, toys for children, presents, imported apples and green or black grapes – a special Christmas treat for many - at street vendors.

*Important note
This also applies to expats and people in your employ (Erla is our housekeeper). We paid her bonus last Thursday and I wish I had a picture of the look of joy on her face! She was singing and humming for the entire time she was here working. I'm not sure if she was expecting it from us since she has only been working for us for 6 months  -- but she was elated. The average family's salary in Costa Rica is $500/mo. 

We also paid the garbage collectors (not a law) but they put an envelope on your garbage "can" and you should put money in it and tie it to the fence. They come by on the week preceding the 15th and pick it up.  These guys are amazing, you should see them work! BTW- this is our garbage "can". We have about 3 normal garbage cans beside our house but you only take the garbage out to the street on garbage pick up day -- for us Mon & Thurs. Each house has it's own garbage can creation. You will see some very interesting creations as you drive down the streets. If you don't have a garbage can you simply tie your garbage bag to your gate, fence or tree. I think the metal garbage bin concept is to keep the dogs (and other little varmints out) as all are raised up from the ground.

Which brings to mind a few other interesting tidbits

Eggs - most are brown here and you will not find them in the dairy section. Look for them stacked somewhere in the store. Who knows exactly where - varies form store to store. Since Costa Rican's do not wash their eggs they do not need to be refrigerated in the store. In the US eggs are refrigerated (the US is one of the few countries that does this) and it is because, the eggs are washed.  Eggs come out of the chicken with their own protective coating. Washing destroys this coating, which is the 1st line of defense against Salmonella. Once you get them home its fine to refrigerate them to keep them fresh.  You can also get organic duck eggs here. I tried them once, but did not like them. Probably an acquired taste.

Milk - You will also find this product in the aisle, unrefrigerated. Shelf stable packaging is achieved by pasteurizing the milk at a much higher temperature than normal and immediately packing it into an aseptic (sterile) vacuum box. The shelf stable milk can be stored at room temperature for several months, but once opened (and the vacuum is gone), it must be refrigerated.

Think outside the box

Pouch packaging - You will find just about any and every product in the store sold in a pouch (although you can still purchase bottles and cans, pouches are the norm). While pouches have been prominent in Europe and Central and South America for five years or more, they're just beginning to gain traction in the United States, which is notoriously slow in adapting to packaging trends.

Locks - Doors have inward locks. In the West we have outward locks.

Rum (Ron) - Some of the best rums in the world are produced in Central America. I have not traditionally been a rum drinker but -- boy oh boy -- I love me some Ron Centenario Veinte Años  It has a very mellow, refined taste. So smooth going down I can even drink it straight. However, it is a bit pricey at $60 a bottle for the 20 yr variety. Less for the other years. I just purchased this bottle for the holidays. 

and in closing....Here are 2 more pics from of our holiday portfolio

see you tomorrow!

Eleven Days till Xmas Countdown - Our Life in Costa Rica

Here's the story.

It's not easy taking photos with animals!

But of course we decided to try it anyway.

At first we thought it would be a good idea to take photos sitting in our rockers with the dogs in our laps in front of the Charlie Brown tree. (Please remember all photos are on a self timer with a 10 sec limit.)

Wrong!
The girls were having no part of it. They squirmed and looked away from the camera every time.

Silly me! Bad idea.

So, I finally gave up on that idea.

Gave them both to Lavanson and decided there must be a better way.

See you tomorrow

Countdown to Xmas - Our Life in Costa Rica

We are beginning the holiday celebrations. Our tree is up and the house is decorated. We've already hosted friends here on 4 occasions. The rain has been ongoing so we have not gotten to spend as much time as we wanted to outside, but we're learning to enjoy our living room (which we NEVER used). So all is good!

Our last guest was Martina, who owns a hostel way over in Drake Bay. She is a very old friend of the family (which I had never met). She visited on Saturday and we had a great time.

She brought us these fancy (yummy) sweets from a bakery over in Escazu. 

Last week we took a lot of pics of ourselves and the dogs, so I am going to be posting a new pic (or 2) everyday through the end of the month.

Next week starts the real festivities around here. We have been invited to several parties and even have an invite for New Year's Eve!

Hope you are all getting in the spirit as well!

Who's walking who? - Our life in Costa Rica

In case you were wondering how the girls are doing....

just fine

Here's a short clip of our walk up the ridge yesterday

 

Who's walking who? from Devon on Vimeo. (email subscribers Click link for video)

Lily eats grass and Lola rolls in the dirt

Grass Eating
And grass-eating doesn't usually lead to throwing up -- less than 25% of dogs that eat grass vomit regularly after grazing. Other suggested reasons why your dog might be eating grass include improving digestion, treating intestinal worms, or fulfilling some unmet nutritional need, including the need for fiber.

Dirt Rolling
One theory is that dogs need to roll in grass (or anything odorous, for that matter) is inherited from their distant cousin—the wolf. "When a wolf encounters a novel odor, it first sniffs and then rolls in it, getting the scent on its body, especially around the face and neck," says Pat Goodmann, research associate and curator of Wolf Park in Indiana. "Upon its return, the pack greets it and during the greeting investigates the scent thoroughly. At Wolf Park, we've observed several instances where one or more pack members has then followed the scent directly back to its origin."

I think we will do a bath today!!! 

Welcome to Costa Rica's Caribbean side - Black in Costa Rica

Here are some photos of Le Cameleon Hotel, Cocles Costa Rica on the Caribbean side

Checking out today and on our way to our final hotel on the side of the country

Enjoy!