Getting out of the U.S.A

It has been challenging getting everything necessary for our move. Al said this move is harder than being a dad at 18, LOL! With the government shutdown, all the websites are disabled and no one is answering the phone lines.

We felt defeated and discouraged after calling number after number and no one answering. Eventually we called every number, for example- 3600, 3601, 3602 until we finally got a hold of the sole person working at the local California FBI office. My heart stopped when the agent told Al that his paperwork would NOT be approved for another 3 to 6 months!!! SERIOUSLY, we can’t wait this long. Apparently they receive two to three thousand requests a day and with the furloughs, it would take much longer than usual. Al got on the phone with the attorney in Panama and they figured out a way to give him a temporary Visa so he can start work as planned on mid-October. Praise you, Jesus!!

As for getting Chico squared away with all his paperwork, we had to make the drive to Sacramento since the USDA Vets were also affected by the shutdown. With pets, the paperwork can only be done 7 days prior to departure due to drug smuggling in animals. He needed shots and a health certificate from his Vet. Then you need a USDA Vet certification signature based in Sacramento. Lastly, we Fed-ex overnight all the documents to the Panamanian embassy in LA for more certified signatures allowing Chico to enter Panama without being quarantined. All this ran, including his flight, about $600.00!!! I know - we really love our Chico baby! Isn't he precious????