Still "On the road again".

After dropping my bag, giving “besos y abrazos” to my sweetie who arrived earlier the same morning, greeting Evora and family--- including Cindy the boxer--- and settling into my casa it was time to meet Barbara.



Barbara and I had been in email contact for several month planning this trip . This was the day when it all came together.

Driving from Montana to Calgary then flying to Varadero, Barbara would be only a two and a half hour bus ride from Havana and a mojito on a patio. With about four hours to kill before my arrival she should have settled into her prearranged casa, strolled some and had that mojito. Well, that was the alternate reality (as Barbara would say).

The first few words out of Barbaras mouth when we met were, “I just got here”.
Due to her generous nature in bringing needed supplies to Cuba, Aduana in Varadero saw fit to have a few words with her. I must point out that in an “alternate reality” the supplies may have been in a “duffle bag” instead of a cardboard box.
Barbara spent enough time with Aduana that she missed the first Viazul bus to Havana and had to catch the second of the day.
We will cover her Varadero experience in greater detail in the future.

For now it was time to hit the streets and show Barbara the Havana I have come to know and love. Oh and some Mojito research.

Wish List Wednesday

We interrupt this trip to Cuba with a list of needed items.

If you think you can help please let me know.
For those willing to deliver supplies to Havana, Holguin, Trinidad, Camaquey (Varadero soon) I will provide all the needed contact info and back up contacts.
losperros@spankyproject.org

Wormers, flea and tick preventatives are greatly needed.
For your information if an animal has a flea infestation it has worms. Therefore the need
to rid the animal of fleas goes hand in hand with worming.
Any products will be appreciated - collars, shampoos, drops and sprays etc.

Below is a list of specific items requested.

WORMERS
DRONCIT (Praziquantel)
Praziquantel kills mature and immature development stages of tapeworms in the
intestine after a single treatment.

Pyraquantal
Control of all intestinal worms.


Ivomec 1% Injection (Ivermectine) for Cattle & Swine
Do not purchase Ivomec Plus as it has a negative effect on the livers of dogs.
The dosage of this product has been worked out for use on dogs. This is a highly
effective remedy for parasites and mange mites.
This product can be purchase at farmer’s co-ops and TSC Stores in the United States.

Animal shaver with detachable surgical blade. ie Oster A5 Golden (110V) #40 blade
Animal marker kit ie Spaulding Special Electric Tattoo Animal Marker (110V)

FLEA & TICK CONTROL
Permectrin II
Provides long-acting killing power for flies, lice, mites, ticks, fleas and mosquitoes

UK source for wormers



Needles, syringes
Digital thermometers
Gloves
Oral antibiotics

BOOKS - DIGITAL
Veterinary texts both english and spanish
Veterinary material in digital format
Care and training of domestic animals
Care and training of equines

Grooming equipment (Shavers, brushes, scissors, shampoo, nail clippers, flea combs, etc)
Scrub shirts and pants for staff and volunteers.
Black ink cartridge for HEWLETT PACKARD DESK JET 670 C
Type writer ribbons (es Cuba)

On the Road Again

Now that I am back at home I will fill you in on my latest adventures in Cuba.
I will provide - what should be - a day by day look at the trip

Monday February 11 2008

On February 11th I departed for Havana via Air Canada.
My plea for an extra weight allowance was denied by Canada’s national airline. Unlike Sunwing Vacations, Air Canada was true to their word in responding to my request in a timely manner. Yes, I did have a generous allowance to start with and I maximized all of my 140 lb. limit.

Departing at 09:15 the outside temperature was -18c with a windchill of - 30c. This kid was primed for some heat and humidity.

This was a two week venture to Havana and Trinidad with a possibility for time in Sancti Spiritus.
Meeting me in Havana would be Barbara Calm DVM from Montana USA. As most of you are aware, the United States of America does not allow it’s citizens to freely travel to Cuba. With this in mind,Barbara traveled under license provided by Caribbean Medical Transport.

Our goals for the trip included:
- meeting with Nora Garcia,head of Aniplant (Asociación Cubana para la Protección y Bienestar Animal y de Plantas).
-visits to Veterinary clinics
-visits to spay campaigns
-meetings with members of the Consejo Cientifico Veterinario de Cuba
-travel to Trinidad,Cuba and a visit with the founder of the Diana Project for horses.
-travel to Sancti Spiritus, Cuba for talks with the provincial veterinary council.
On the surface one would think that this would not provide two full weeks of activity.
If you add a little tourism, some of the Jazz Festival and a day off for “El Dia del Amor” the two weeks would fly by quickly.