What a relief! Blue and Mazey safely back home minus a total of 12 teeth. Soft food, a warm fire and a long sleep will hopefully help them forget the traumas of cages, injections and abandonment in the vets.
Tomorrow it is my turn! Far less traumatic but I have to visit the hospital for yet another consultation with the urologist about my kidney stones. I mention this here as it is one of several bureaucratic frustrations that I can’t seem to break past. Catalunya widely advertises that every resident is entitled to a Health Card – a Tarjeta Sanetaria which allows free access to all medical care just as in the UK – but for some reason this does not apply to British Nationals. I am officially resident in Granollers (empadronated) but I don’t have a Social Security number so apparently I can’t have a Health card unless I give up my right to use the National Health Service in the UK. But I spend quite a a bit of time in Cornwall each year so I don’t want to lose my entitlement to treatment here. Especially because of a history with kidney stones which have a tendency to creep up on me and suddenly go BOO!
I have a friend in Italy who is registered both there and in Cornwall, I know others from the EU who have children so are automatically given their own card, and everyone in my Catalan class have cards even though they are not working, but I can’t get one. So, when I come back here I have to go for X Rays and blood tests and hospital visits which will only lead to more appointments and more flights between Barcelona and Bristol.
Hopefully tomorrow will give me the all clear and I can shelve the problem for another few months.
Meanwhile, the sun is shining and both Blue and Mazey are taking comfort from lying in the warmth.
I’m glad the dogs are fine…and I am very surprised that you cannot get any health care in Spain, there is a pan-EU healthcard, can you apply for that?
Hi Oreneta Yes I do have an EU Health card but it only is for emergency treatment and I’m pushing it a bit when I go for regular stuff. So I’d rather have the Cat card but…it seems it is something to do with UK and SPain and they need you to make a decision. Perhaps that’s what I need to do anyway! thanks for your support – we go back soon and looking for home with garden with be a priority. K x
You have to choose where you want to have health care, you can’t have it in both countries. We’ve signed off from the UK and both have a CatSalut card, and their health care seems very good.
You are right – it is time to choose! Perhaps it is because I am still having regular checkups in the UK that I worry about losing it. And perhaps because I still have my house and all my stuff here that I haven’t fully switched over. This is what this trip is about – really deciding to chose and put both feet in one place. K x
All teeth are probably better out than in. Why have teeth?
This goes for people too.
Alison x
Ah, the dentist – dreaded by man and animal alike! At least now the dogs’ breath should be a little less horrid. My dog had tuna breath – inherited from her father and no amount of brushing or chlorophyll in her water would make her kisses bearable. It was coming from deep in her digestive system. I will say that I got used to it and loved her deeply even though she stank! Now, how did I get talking about ME?! That sounds weird – you not being able to get services that others on the doll are eligible for. Some times the rules are wonky.