Let's Back Up a Little!

Reasons are many why I have not been on my blog for quiet some "days". Main reason; Max and Olivia are getting my full attention. And, getting to know a "new" member takes time before felling really comfortable. It is amazing how we forget.
It is not that long ago since Olivia was an infant but I don't remember all the diaper changes--amazing how much green poop that comes out from a little persons butt--Me changing clothing's several times a day from all the spit ups, and not to mention three hours sleep a night! But when his blue eyes are looking into my eyes and I sniff his wonderful soft skin, I am in heaven!
That's Amore!

Reason two; Breastfeeding was something I longed to do, bonding and healthy for Max and me. well, I just made it for three weeks--with a lot of problems-- then I had to go into ER the day before Christmas.
For several days I had had high fever and pain in my breast and the milk slowed down to just one tablespoon.
Inflammation in my breasts; Mastitis. With IV penicillin at the ER and antibiotic with me home for several days, I am now on my feet again. Sad though that I cannot continue breastfeeding, but I will have to accept facts even though it has started to become difficult with plenty of peoples harsh questions.
That is not Amore!

A New Animal Activist

A new animal activist is born! We are all doing fine and Max is a wonderful easy infant. Olivia is adjusting to her baby brother and it is not easy. Must be hard, one day you have both parents full attention and next day there is a small little "poop" machine taking up a lot of space.

I want to thank you all for the congratulations you have sent us, that means a lot even if I haven't answered back yet. If I have five minutes over I cannot stop looking at our new addition Mercer. Wow, I can now walk around saying; "my children" it is a fantastic felling. That's Amore!

A Birthday to the Max

Todd's birthday is 6 December. I'd planned it for a long time to celebrate it as much as possible, given my "condition". We'd had a surprise gathering of some friends and co-workers on Friday, November 30th, since Todd would be involved in an exercise on "his" day, and then the exercise would run until the due date for Maximillian.

Well, you know the parable: "If you don't think God has a sense of humor, tell Him your plans." Apparently, God had different plans than ours for Maximillian's birth. Instead of waiting until the 13th, he decided he wanted to celebrate his dad's birthday his own way.

At 4:02 pm Central European time, Maximillian came into the world, weighing 6 lbs, 10.2 oz and "standing" 20 1/2 inches (3010 grams/52 cm).

He's a perfect little man, and we adore him.

And, as everyone who we talk to says, "So, he shares his birthday with his dad? How cool is that?!"

Already?

Yesterday I baked 100 cookie hearts for a charity which the International Spouse Club had today-- together with Mother Theresa Org.-- for homeless men. I think I have been so busy that I didn't know that I was/am getting ready to introduce Max to you all.

Left Olivia at her Italian school this morning and then drove to my check up appointment at the hospital. Well, we were all surprised when they doctor told me that I am already 4 cm open!
Max heartbeat is wonderful and so are my contractions, hmmm.
Of course I have felt "something" but what can I say....so much to do and so much to prepare.

So out of the hospital, picked up Olivia, home and took care of the four dogs AND packed my hospital bag.
And typical women (most); I folded the laundry, empty the dishwasher, moped and washed the floor. Is that what they call Nesting?

Either tonight, or tomorrow it seems like Max will be introduced to his new parents and sister.

Keep your fingers crossed and I know "Daddy" will let you know what happens.

That's Amore.

Glogg Party

Surprise birthday/glogg party for Todd was held last Friday in our house . Little would he know since I had been hiding all the food, and the Swedish winter drink; Glogg-- was hidden in the laundry basket--I knew he wouldn't do any laundry--
IKEA, wonderful store, had everything I needed for a great Christmas table; gingerbread cookies, julmust (drink), chocolate, salmon, meatballs, mini sausages, herring...well you name it! A christmas tree was bought and decorated, and I even found hyacinths (flowers).

Our home smelled Christmas and with lovely friends, we sang for Todd first Swedish, then German and finished off with American happy birthday song (our Rumanians had to leave early, would have loved to hear Happy Birthday in Rumanian).
Instead of presents we did another tradition. The guests had to bring a bag of dogfood that we later this week donates to a shelter for homeless dogs.

It was very appreciated, both by humans, and I know the dogs will appreciate it too.

That's Amore!

Mahatma Gandhi

'The greatness and morality of a nation must be judged by the way it treats its animals '.
--Mahatma Gandhi --

One of my readers sent me this one. Couldn't have said it better myself.

Terrible Answer on the Question Why?

The stepfather Royce Clyde Zeigler, of a 2-year-old girl Riley Ann Sawyers, lost control and beat her to death because she wouldn't say "please" and "yes sir," an attorney for the girl's mother said Wednesday. That is what the mother and wife Kimberly Dawn Trenor claims.

The "former" mother Trenor is now pregnant, her attorney have confirmed.

More information, see blog below.

Pride is a Wonderful Thing

Thank you for all your many e-mails, with support and questions. Some of you want me to write more about my "new" life in Italy, and our family.

It is with mixed emotions that I write about my pregnancy and family, because there are some people out there that I don't want to know too much about me. People I don't trust or like.

With blogger I can see where the readers are, even the city with their computer number..kind of terrific....Now, I don't have time to sit and look everyone up but when I see a country and city with the IP computer number that I know off--and don't like--I get a little careful. I know how the Internet and blogs are "open" for everybody!

The second reason is, that my passion and fight is with/for animals and children. Maybe I can educate and help someone in that area. And mostly it helps me not to forget, my past or my future to/for them who don't have a voice.

But the countdown for Max' arrival is close now, I am starting to get really exited and nervous. Another angel is going to be with us and I am so curious who he is? We can't wait to "meet" him!

We went to the doctor for my normal check up. An ultrasound was set up and the first picture we get is a picture of what looks like a turtle!!!

"This is 'proof positive' that it is a boy" doc says. He then hastily tore off one of the images to post in the hospital!

Stunned I laid and looked at the screen, " Oh my Lord, that are all right some Christmas ornaments"

Dad looked proud, "That's my son, all right".

My Question is still WHY?

Picture AP

Mother Kimberly Trenor and husband Royce Clyde Zeigler II admit to have killed 2 year-old Riley.

Read below on my blog.

Why?

AP PHOTO

GALVESTON, Texas - A woman believed to be the mother of a 2-year-old whose body was found in Galveston Bay told police she and the girl's stepfather beat and tortured the child to death, court documents show.

Her mother, Kimberly Dawn Trenor 19, and stepfather, Royce Clyde Zeigler II 24, were arrested early Saturday and are in custody on charges of hurting the girl. (killed the girl July 24)

An autopsy revealed that Riley suffered three skull fractures, but the cause of death has not been determined.

The girl was beaten with leather belts, had her head held underwater in a bathtub and then was thrown across a room, her head slamming into a tile floor, Trenor said in the document. She said they kept the body in a storage shed for one to two months before they put it in a plastic bin and dumped it into Galveston Bay.

Trenor and Zeigler met a couple of years ago playing an online game, World of Warcraft, and she moved with her daughter from suburban Cleveland to Spring in June.

Information from Yahoo.news

For more information you can read; Riley

My heart aches and feel a pressure over my chest when I read this article/news. I cannot scream, I cannot do anything, just helplessness and anger. What is happening? Why do I have to read about these cases so often?

Internet is a good tool but many people are misusing it and spending to much time with it. We complain that our young children are on-line to often, but we need to wake up and get educated. Maybe we can save more children!

Wake up!

Oscar Wilde Quote from Saturday 24th Nov.

Last night I received a very interesting e mail from one of my blog reader that made a good point, and I want to share it with you. I found the quote on one of Americas biggest adoption sites, and I know a little about Oscar Wilde, but this reader he got a "good" eye here.

"I sort of like the quote about happy children from your blog, but the author of the quote stuck me as a little odd. Perhaps when HE spoke of "happy children", he might have had something a little different in mind?
On his sexuality: Wilde also had numerous sexual encounters with working-class male youths, who were often rent boys .
Nevertheless, Wilde lost no time in returning to his previous pleasures. According to Douglas, Ross "dragged [him] back to homosexual practices" during the summer of 1897, which they spent together in Berneval. After his release, he also wrote the famous poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol . Wilde spent his last years in the Hôtel d'Alsace, now known as L'Hôtel , in Paris, where he was notorious and uninhibited about enjoying the pleasures he had been denied in England. Again according to Douglas, "he was hand in glove with all the little boys on the Boulevard. He never attempted to conceal it." In a letter to Ross, Wilde laments, "Today I bade good-bye, with tears and one kiss, to the beautiful Greek boy. . . he is the nicest boy you ever introduced to me."

His whole life story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Wilde

Ghosts?

One night I woke up by two children laughing running in our stairs. I went out and looked, but it was pitch black and not a sound. Hmm, I thought that I had dreamt and went back to bed.

Some afternoons when Olivia took her nap I heard children cry. I rushed into her room to discover she was sleeping, deep and sweet. Hmmmm maybe she just cried in her sleep, I thought.

But, sometimes her toys starts to play without anyone in the room, in the middle of the day and her door is open so we can see that no one is in there.
Some nights when Olivia is being put into bed and we are laying next to her reading, she suddenly sits up, looks up at a corner and says, "Baby"

Last night when we all went to bed, we woke up by Christmas songs that started to play from our radio--downstairs. I don't think it was one of our dogs that wanted some Christmas spirit and turned the music on.

It is nice to have a playful spirit in the house and it doesn't seem to bother Olivia or the dogs, they are already found their "friend" to be lovely.

That's amore!

Children, our Future

"The best way to make children good is to make them happy."
- Oscar Wilde

Puerto Rico Dog Slaughter

Video

Remember the article I had on my blog about the dogs that were killed; It was Friday, October 12, 2007 when animal control workers seized dozens of pets from housing projects in the town of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. They told pet owners their dogs and cats were to be taken to a shelter. But instead, they hurled them from a bridge to their deaths. Upon reading the news about the horrific pet massacre they got to know something else.

Pls watch the video clip. And God bless your help to animals and children.

Thanks Giving

Yesterday was one of America's biggest holiday's, Thanksgiving. For me as a Swedish person it doesn't say much but it is always interesting with a new tradition in the house, and it feels very important to teach Olivia, too.

We both like to make sure Olivia learns our traditions. Lucky girl, she gets two countries worth of traditions!

Todd had bought a big Turkey....two stuffed Turkeys in the house, one in the oven and one wobbling around (yes I mean myself). Todd was in the kitchen the whole day, and Fabio (one of Todd's colleagues) came over to celebrate with us. At least he eats meat...vegetarian as I am, I went through the mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, and yes, I had "fake" turkey on my plate.

But it was a very nice evening, plenty of good food and great company, I love traditions.

When I picked Olivia up at her school the Italian lady said, "Ah today is American Christmas" Only slightly off-track!

That's Amore!

Black Cats Born with Wrong Color.

Animal lovers in Italy will celebrate the "Black Cat" arranged by an Italian animal organization.

Owners to black cats are asked to bring them to an award ceremony-- for people whom have helped to protect the Black Cat.
Thousands black cats are (remember it is a dark number) are killed or abandoned because a myth. According to the Italian Ass in Defense of Animals and Environment, around 7 000 black cats has disappeared in the Lombardy region-- each year.
.
Why? Many Italians think that when a black cat is crossing their path it is considered bad luck.

There are reports that some Italian motorists are waiting in their car for the black cat to cross the road so they can kill it with their car.

So the organization want to change the image of the black cat. Help changing and fighting peoples superstition, which is according to the organization a huge problem in this country.

Do I have to comment this? Sigh!

Time for Killing

Eager to go out on a whale hunt, the Japanese are sharpening their harpoons. Four hunting ships are ready to go out on the biggest whale hunt in decades, that will include hump back whales: they plan to kill up to 50 humpbacks, 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales.

Japan says it needs to kill the animals in order to conduct research on their reproductive and feeding patterns.
The anti-whaling group Greenpeace said its protest ship, Esperanza, was moored just outside Japan's territorial waters and would chase the fleet to the southern ocean. ~CNN~

Many species of whales live in big family oriented groups. When one is being slowly killed the other family members refuse to leave. The whales' grieving songs are the most heart breaking complaints from deep and can be heard miles under water. Why don't we listen?

Hair Cut

I cannnot help it, I am a proud mother, and when you are proud of something or someone you want to share that with the whole world....even if the whole world is not particularly interested.

Olivia got her first haircut today and by a great Italian hair designer, Fabio, with two assistants. Not bad for being just two-years old, and of course with a mother taking pictures being in the way. I know that one day she will think I am very "goofy" , and she won't bring me with her so I better take the opportunity now.

A Day on the Road

Driving in to the base today there where a lot of stray dogs roaming around. With my heart pounding and constantly yelling in the car "please God don't let the cars hit the dogs!" these dogs where everywhere. Up on the highway--and the traffic here is brutal, along the roads, along the fences searching for a hole so they can get out. It is heartbreaking! and many times I don't want to drive out because I know I will be so upset. Big dogs laying dead along the road is a common view.

A sad view, these beautiful creatures that was born free is having a hard day surviving many obstacles from the human beings. Shame on us!

Step Up and Step In

I'v had it with all these adults that are closing their eyes for children (and animal) being abused. There are to many who know that something are "wrong" with a lot of children. Bruises, anxiety, stomach ache, sadness etc etc and still many children dies from being "disciplined" by their parents and stepparents. Read this story

I am so tired of being told that my manuscript about child abuse around the world is a very strong and well written peace, but the publisher or agents doesn't dare to give it out. It is to strong!!
How can the truth be to strong? How can we give up on our children and give the abusers bigger and bigger power? It is absurd.

The children are counting on YOU!

The Past Hunts

A man in India was hunted by his cruelty towards two dogs fifteen years ago, he became paralyzed in some parts of his body, and lost hearing on one ear. An astrologer told him the only way to get cured was to marry a dog.
I wish the astrologer instead had told him to help homeless dogs, that would probably have cured his inner peace!

Selvakumar, 33 years-old marry one dog named Selvi; read the story

Being a Mother

is the hardest and most wonderful job I ever had (have)
The question "am I doing ok as a mother" will always follow me, and sometimes the thought of "think if Olivia wont like how I am as a mother" when she is older, scares me a little.
So why does this thought pop up in my head?
I read a very interesting article in one mother hood magazine that gave me a good "answer".
I never thought much of how my mother was during my childhood, up till now. I would never get married or have children. I lived for my work with animals, travelling to so many different countries. I guess that fare back in my mind I didn't want a family was because I never liked my own. As a child I was badly abused and there were never any affections. I never heard my parents say that they loved each other, nor did they say anything to me.

But since Olivia came into my (our) life, I cannot think about anything else in my life that would be so affectionate. She is the most important thing to me (us) and several times a day I tell her how much I love her--and I try to show her it too. It is not a hard thing because my feelings are huge for her. She is wonderful towards her dad an me....so warm and beautiful.

This article claimed that it is when you yourself becomes a mother that you start to think about how your own mother was towards you as a child (and adult). Now I understand why I and my mother are having a huge conflict today, things I never thought about before.
I do not argue with her, I do not blame her, but she can feel my heart speaking to her.
When on the phone with her, I tell her all the marvelous things Olivia is progressing with and how great she is a person--I want her to know her grandchild--. My mother tells me; "You are a great mother!"
Well I don't do much, it is Olivia who makes herself wonderful.
Mother says; "I myself wasn't a good mother!"
I cannot answer that, and guilt is being washed over me. I try to say;
"It is not to late to be a good mother"

Amore!

Dog Fighting Petition

I got this e mail from an animal friend on Cyprus, and I really want to share this with you. Please, you too sign the petition, it will just take you one minute of your time. Think off the animals that are stuck in this cruelty till they stop breathing, and being released from the humans cruelty.

"Did you know that for the sake of human profit, dogs are trained for dog fighting by being beaten, chained and fed gunpowder, illegal drugs and even live animals -- and sometimes they are not fed at all for long periods of time? In the end, dogs that do not win are either killed or left to die horrific and painful deaths.I can't even imagine what these dogs must go through. Every animal deserves the right to live a cruelty-free life.

I just signed a petition to end this horrific practice, and I hope you'll join me in urging the U.S. Congress to support the Federal Dog Protection Act: http://go.care2.com/helpdogs

Thanks!

Carolina"

Selfish Money Makers

Smelling money can make a man do "whatever" without thinking of the living, breathing creature(s) or, Mother Nature.

The ones working for preventing bad things to animals, children or nature are the ones having less money.

Another Day for the Animals

Copyright (c) 2007 Mia Mattsson

Fighting Spirit for the Animals in Italy

She is so petite but have so much strength; Dr Dorothea Fritz. Photo Copyright(C) 2007 Mia Mattsson-Mercer

Back in 1999, I went to an animal conference in Sofia, Bulgaria. Two people there inspired me so much that when I got home to Stockholm, I started the foundation Animals without Limits.

From the conference, I remember a petite lady who had enormous energy and inspiration when she spoke to us about the spay and neuter program she had created and ran. Never would I have guessed that I would meet her in person some years later.

This year my family and I moved to Italy and little would I know what had happened to the lady that inspired me so much with her work back in 1999.

I was standing inside an US veterinarian clinic, a woman hands me a paper with three veterinarians that they recommend. My eyes stopped at the name Dr. Fritz. I couldn't believe it, She was local to us, and she was still crusading for the animals! I had to meet her again.

I called her and I hadn't forgot her warm giggling in between her serious work. Her clinic is amazing and her work for the animals is even more amazing. After 24 years with this difficult work, she is still going strong, working tirelessly to help control the dog and cat (over)population. I had the privilege to get a private tour and an interview for an upcoming project of mine.

She is truly the animal's friend, she is fighting with not just the economic side, but also the Parliament and people who don't like her work.

She is having a spay and neuter clinic, kennel, re-adopting stray dogs, and she also rescued four Buffalo males, not to mention the cats, rabbits and ducks.

You can read more about her work and make a donation ... please,

http://www.lega-pro-animale.de/

http://web.tiscali.it/legaproanimale/

Amore!

Heartless Pictures

Picture Copyright (C) 2007 Kathy Guerny

Last Sunday Kath, Ethan and I went out on a journey amongst homeless dogs and horses in garbage heaps. It was a tragic view to see old and new scars on the animals. It breaks my heart, they are so loving and friendly and in their eyes you can see them asking if they can come with you. There were mixed breeds and actually what seemed to be pure breeds too.

The research tells me two things with this problem; One is that this situation has gone on for generations, so many people don't even see it anymore, the garbage and the animals.

Second is actually we foreigners that come to Italy for a couple of years, bring in a street dog off the street, nurture him for 2-3 years but then many times when the foreigner moves "home" he doesn't bring the dog with them. He is let out on the street again, and some explanations from these people have been; "Well he had a good loving home for some amount of time."

What these people doesn't understand is that the dog (or cat) will sit and wait on the stairs of his former home that now is just an empty dark house. Sometimes they die from a broken heart.

They have no idea why or what they did wrong when the "pack" kicked them out.

On some billboards I read-- too many times-- about families going back to their countries and they want to re-adopt their dog to someone in Italy.

Some are lucky, some are not. Some get a second chance, some get to heaven too soon and with a starving heart, wondering why?

Silence from People and Animals

The big tragedy is not the evil people’s brutalities; it is the good people ´s silence.
Dr Martin Luther King, JR

*

They caught us, me and another horse, a jacket was put over our eyes and we were led out. We panicked.
We are tied up to a tree. It is hot. The other horses in the pasture are taking off in a panicked gallop. Alarmed feelings of fear are vibrating in the air. A steel object shimmers in the sunlight. Two men are beating us brutally.

It feels like I am present as the scene unfolds. The horse is sending a horrible image, incredible pain from his back. I can see that another horse is lying on the ground, his head hanging down, and blood trickling from his nostrils. His eyes stare out in emptiness. Sitting on the ground is a crying woman. She holds the head of the dead horse in her lap as she rocks back and forth, sobbing.

I open my eyes feeling confused and do not know what to believe. Does the owner know anything about this?

Translation from my first book "Listen when the animal talks." copyrights 2007

Halloween Celebrations

Halloween was such a party day that today, the day after, Olivia and I had to get a 3-hour long afternoon nap. Here in Italy they don't celebrate Halloween, they have their tradition like we Swedes putting candles on the graves.

So dad had to teach Olivia how to carve a pumpkin.

Olivia's school, which is "international", had a Halloween party. First Olivia refused to wear her costume but when she saw all her friends in their costumes she quickly demanded to have her's on.

In the evening we went to a birthday Halloween party, and that was so much fun. I got to practice a little on my Italian skills, but mostly it was hand pointing and wild gestures, like an albatross trying to take off.

But we came home tired and happy, we have so many great friends.

Amore!

Happy Halloween

The day of a lot of parties. We have plenty to attend, me and my little ladybug, mia coccinella, min nyckelpiga.

I guess the end of the day I will have to "scrape" her down from the roof, from all the candy she's been eating.

Memories from Bosnia

When you socialize with death every day, you get used to its presence. Before long, you stop fearing death.

It is painful to witness an animal’s death struggle in front of your eyes. The only thing you can do is cry; cry over your own helplessness. It is cramping, with it’s eyes starring into your own eyes asking for mercy.
I feel doomed over not having the tools of either rescuing or killing the animal. My hands are just empty. I do not have the equipment for anything, not even a jeep were I can quickly transport the suffering animal to shorten its struggle.
Certainly no taxi will allow me to take the animal with me. The peoples’ religion says that if you bring an animal inside, no angels will ever come in.
The only power I have is to pray and walk away from the animal. Praying for a fast death for him. Praying for his soul. Praying that the madness will stop. The feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are killing me slowly and the more I get closer to God, the heavier the burden seems to rest on my shoulders.

To see a dead animal is not a comfortable sight but not as scary as to see the death solidifying its grasp on an animal’s still warm body. The anguish as its soul struggles to leave the carcass that moments before was its vessel. In my stomach I could feel the animal’s angst, worries, fears and horror. It is a terrifying picture I will carry with me for a long time.
I can even still smell the cloaked atmosphere of terror caused by the people’s cruelty. The sense of guilt is knocking on my shoulder.

We are all guilty if we turn away from anything breathing.

A Shelter in Sweden

When I visited the shelter for homeless dogs I was forced to acknowledge one of the humankind’s darker sides. There are people who hate animals and don’t see them as living creatures.
Inside the shelter I saw a mixed dog that they had found in the woods tied to a tree. For how long, no one knows, but he was just skin and bones and very frightened. When rescued, given a bath and food he started to vomit, and up came a piece from a tube and small leaves and sticks.

Dogs with a tough up-bringing can many times be kind of wild. And, as un-patient that we humans can be, we want fast results, even in behavior changes that are deep rooted. We should try to understand that it takes time to build a new trust in an animal that has been abused and we must have insight and the understanding that animals do have memories and feelings.
Animals can show misbelieve through “eating” up the home, or if they are in pain they can growl and bite. But four out of five dogs that bite can be saved, and ultimately be at home in a loving environment. It demands time, of course, knowledge and – love. One love that will be returned a thousand times over.
At the same time we must realize another important factor: Dogs and others are pack animals by nature, and need structure and leadership.
A wise leadership… friendly but firm.

From my first book, Listen when the Animals Talk.

Our Angels Sick and Helpless

When children and animals become sick, you feel so helpless, and upset, and scared.
When adults are starting to feel ill; (most of the time) they get slowly sick and maybe most important, they can communicate. Yesterday Olivia started to look "not feeling" so well. I felt her forehead and it was "ok" then one hour later...boom...high fever, and she looked so helpless.

You become scared, you know the decision is in your hands and time is ticking--will you make the right decision with what kind of help to give her? You call the advice nurse, you take notes of when you gave her Tylenol and checked her temperature--that didn't go down even a couple of hours later--

For the first time we had to take her to the ER to get help, the fever didn't go down, and the zombie look on Olivia was heartbreaking. We got great help and fast, and could return home after one hour.
Our little girl is sleeping with a more peaceful face now, and my heart have stopped feeling helpless. I am so thankful.

Amazing with children and animals. When they get the right treatment they heal so quickly, thank God.

A lot of thoughts went out last night when I was laying awake watching Olivia sleeping and breathing. Parents that are watching over their children that are so sick, and no one knows the outcome, and these little "soldiers" are so brave and are the ones comforting their parents.

Amore!

Runny Nose to Runny Butt

For the first time in her 2 year-old life, Olivia is now going halftime to an International daycare, with main language in Italian. She loves it after getting use to the new people and little friends. But my gosh, where does all these "bugs" come from? She is constantly having something with her back home...fever and from runny nose to runny butt....and those germs are also "in love" with me. Holly Cow, I have never ever had so many infections, and poor Max ( in my belly) is having a hard time sleeping with all my coughing. Most of all, I feel so bad for Olivia, and many times helpless.

But in another way I am very happy and lucky that I have been able to stay home with Olivia-- these 2 years--. Sometimes I think of these mothers and fathers who cannot stay home with their child(ren) for different reasons. In Sweden we are very lucky that the mother can stay home 1 1/2 year with a good paycheck, and I think the father can stay home 4 months with a good paycheck. In US a lot of mothers can just stay home 6 weeks!!!

I talked to a day-caretaker in North Carolina who reported she had to make the phone calls to children’s parent(s) to come and pick up their sick child. The next day the child was back, still sick. Some parent didn’t answer their cell phone the whole day. They told they had been in meetings, or the connection was really bad in the office. [Her request for a work number was met with evasion, no number]. It is a rule in all these centers that sick children should not be brought in until well. Shouldn’t be a rule, but common sense!

A professor at the Karolinska Hospital in Sweden stated that children under two-years old shouldn’t go to day-care centers at all. Only when they reach the age three and four that they are more resistant to infections that run rampant in day-care centers.
In fact, research indicates that for those toddlers under one year of age who regularly attend a day care center, they face a 69 percent higher risk of being hospitalized, compared to children that are kept at home. Between 1 and 2 years old, 47 percent higher risk, 2-3 years old: 41 percent higher risk. And over 3 years old, 8 percent higher risk.

To be sure, children will (and should) get infections as they grow. The Professor said that 6 infections a year/per child is “normal”. But being at a day-care center gave the young toddlers double amount of infections.

It is a hard balance.

Happy Birthday to Me

Yesterday was my birthday. Already.... cough, cough..... years-old, time goes quickly when you are having fun.

I was touched by so many friends remembering my birthday and thtat they took the time to wish me a Happy Birthday--through cards, phone calls, text messages, e mails--.

From Sweden, Bosnia, Italy, Bahrain, and USA.

My husband had made a great surprise and invited friends to our favorite restaurant. My friend who owns Ribot restaurant had made a wonderful table and the birthday cake was awesome. Big and pink and one candle (thank you)!

I don't want to bragg that my presents were awesome (but they were), I guess I do something right!

Olivia was with us the whole evening until 23:00 and did it with such a greatness, we were so proud over her, our angel.

Posting a picture of our house, our casa.

Thank you all, I love you.

Amore

Our House

How can so many things in a house go against you?
Before moving over we had our eyes on another house but my husband thought that probably that house were to old and would have to old pipes and plumbings. Risky.
So we moved into this new three floor house with five bathrooms and six bedrooms and two living rooms.
That we couldn't get Internet in 2 1/2 month we couldn't blame the house, more the system, and us being "to nice" on the phone to the company. When we showed them our back bone they came and installed Internet the day after.
The cold weather came "over night' and our heat system is just working on first and second floor. Of course, my office with Internet is on the third floor were all the penguins are now having a blast in the cold rooms. Sorry for short e mails!
Our security gate out from here doesn't work so you have to hand push them to get out with your Suburban or Truck. being pregnant it isn't that easy to push, well not yet anyway.
Well we have had everything going in this house from constantly electricity shut down to lightning hitting our house but I have to say we have an awesome landlord who really is trying his best. And he was awesome not to yell at me when I backed into the wall with my Suburban and left a big hole. Ops, blond, pregnant and Swede--lovely combination!

The dogs are digging holes in to the lawn so we have planted bushes to cover up what our miss behaved dogs are/have been doing.

So, old house or new house, doesn't matter when the Mercer family moves in with four dogs a blond wife, well it is not any boring moments here.

PS The snow on top of the Mountains-- that we can see from our windows-- are covered with snow, belissimo.

Already a Groupie

Yesterday evening we went to the NATO Allied Spouses Club hosted International Bazaar, tasting their International Food Court. --Sweden was not hosting anything, well actually I didn't see any Scandinavian country, even if I know they exist here--

It was really fun tasting wine and food..I chose French Crepes with Nutella. Todd of course enjoyed both Hungarian Gulash and later some German Bratwurst. Olivia liked the Bratwurst, too, just not the mustard.

Went around looking at different kind of exhibits and booths, a lot of good wine came home with us. Stocking up 'till Max is born so I can enjoy my collection in celebration!

An amateur "rockband" played classic rock and Olivia enjoyed it so much. She danced and she even went and invited a man (oboy) up to rock and roll with her. Later she wanted to climb up on the stage!

We already got a little rocker!

Amore.

Empty Heart--Huge Heart

After watching the cruel video clip that the organization PETA had made, I totally lost my inspiration to write. Suddenly, nothing else seemed "right" my happiness, other cruelties etc etc. I didn't know what to write about.

That is the danger, to get drowned in to the negative state of mind and forget to start doing something and acknowledge those who does something positive. It is a difficult balance.

I want to thank you all who watched the video clip from the date 16th and forwarded it to friends. Also for you who put it up on your own blog. We cannot forget and we will keep on talking and educating us. We have to talk about things that are uncomfortable and scary. Teach our future, the children, they don't do what, we tell them, they do what we are doing, what they see.

I got an e mail from an American friend that really touched my heart.

I watched the video you attached and it is just sickening.
I've seen one like this back home and the images haunt me still. I tried to click on the link I NEED YOU, however it says the page can not be displayed. Let me know what I need to do in order to help.

There is a small pack of dogs who live on my street. They come and visit us every day. They would make for some nice black and white photos.Skippy, the first dog we took in when we arrived (Italy) appears to have been their "pack leader", so when the pack dogs arrive Skippy goes crazy until we let him out to play or they move on.

Remember the Corgi I told you we took in? Well we
found her a home of her own! She moved in with them on Thursday. Our Italian vet gave her a clean bill of health and her new family picked her up the same day. A husband, wife, an 8 year old girl and 2 year old boy. They fell in love with her and they are doing wonderfully. Yay.

Around the same time I found a puppy laying in the middle of the street, barely able to walk. She's a fox hound mix and about 5 weeks old. I brought her to the vet and she tested positive for Parvo- however she has made an astounding recovery. I'll tell you, she doesn't even look like the same dog anymore. I have her quarantined in one of the bedrooms. She is a little
piglet! She eats a can of puppy food a day. I am watering her through a syringe as she has some trouble lapping up too much air when she drinks from a bowl. In two weeks we return to the vet for new blood tests, and hopefully her first set of vaccines. After which time, I can introduce her to Pepe and Skippy. They sit outside her door and whine, i think because they know she isn't healthy. They are anxiously awaiting meeting her! I'm calling her Polly for now. Once I nurse her back to health I will begin to look for a family for her. (that is of course, if I can bare giving her away...) Kathy.

Cruelty there is no Excuse for this.

I am angry, tired and ......... It is time to stop hiding behind "oh it is to awful I can not watch"
Well I don't want to watch, but if I don't watch and sign on the petition, and get educated, then I am as bad as these men on the video. I have invisible blood on my hands.

You, who wear fur, this could be one of the animals suffering because of you. You can change.

God didn't create us livings to do this or be hiding scared of giving them--the animals-- your voice.

Please, help them by clicking here I NEED YOU

www.petatv.com/tvpopup/video.asp?video=fur_farm&Player=wm&speed=_medS http://www.petatv. com/tvpopup/ video.asp? video=fur_ farm&Player= wm&speed= _med

Dog Cruelty 2

Yesterday I posted a link to an article about dog cruelty in Puerto Rico.

Here is a follow up from yesterday Pets being killed

Dog Cruelty

Family pets being killed in an awful way and it is unbelievable how this can happen in a modern time.

Many times I do not understand the human race. It makes me sad and upset, that we are an evil species. Here we complain on how some animals can be cruel and attack other animals -- most of the time to survive--Just look at us, how we humans destroy Mother Earth, and each other. We shouldn't talk about respect and put ourselves on a pedestal.

Shame!

Trip to Pozzouli

My Italian friend took me and Olivia to her home in Pozzouli yesterday, and we sat on their terrace drinking coffee. Not to mention enjoying their view.

Pozzouli is a very old city, with the third largest Colosseum from the time of the ancient Romans.

Olivia had a great time playing with her best friend Chiara.

Thumb Down for Catty Women

My husband becomes surprised when I sometimes "howl" over how some women can be "catty" In the male world is it important to include and be included, that's how they create good contact net.

Not so some women!

This phenomena starts early in age and I am sad to discover that it continues up in ages.....There are some women who want to have everything and socialize with different groups by themselves... to be the center of attention by themselves. Even with help organizations. How terrible is that?

One lady told me how she helped a child organization, and I told her I had a lot of children's clothing I wanted to donate. And maybe write a story about the organization when visiting them. "Sure" she said.

Well, I did remind her several times, but I never got the phone number or any information.
So sad for the children!

There is another organization here in Italy, and I would like to join and become active to a degree in what they do. I know one member, and I ask her every time I see her for information on future meetings and such.
She says, "Sure" , but then I either get no information.

Then later on I hear or read that the meeting already have been taking place, and how much fun they had!


Meow on you Catty women.

Alfred Nobel Peace Prize

Alfred Nobel was a Swede!

Congratulation Al Gore, you did it! Better this than being a President....see how fast you made something good in this world.

"Former Vice President Al Gore and the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize Friday for their efforts to spread awareness of man-made climate change and lay the foundations for counteracting it. "I am deeply honored to receive the Nobel Peace Prize," Gore said. "We face a true planetary emergency. The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity." (quote from Yahoo news)

Please Mr Gore, come down to southern Italy and teach us, we need help.

Amore.

Children & Parents

A woman in North America locked her two boys in to a dog cage and they also had to wear electrical dog collar! Their home; dirty and a big mess.

In front of the judge she is saying, "I am not a monster I just made some bad choices."

Children is suppose to have a warm loving parent(s) that will always be there and comfort, teach and nurture them. That is our job, we chose that, not the children.

Animal Love

Animals are great teachers, and full of respect towards us.

The first thing my daughter Olivia asks for in the morning--ok except for a bottle of milk--is "Where is Shiloh?' She then runs around to our four dogs and hugs them all good morning... each in turn.

They teach her things I cannot, and probably wouldn't have the patience to do even if I could.

She loves to help me feed them--and they love her for doing it--they always get too much dog food.

She is the best poop finder you can have--suddenly you hear; "oooohhhh poooop" and she goes and gets me to pick it up, to take it out of the yard.

What makes me sad is that all children don't get to explore the animal kingdom like she does. It is a fascinating side of life, just ask Olivia!

Amore!

Just a dream?

Did I really have internet in the house? Or was that just a cruel dream?

I wrote the previous post Saturday morning, enjoying my morning's cup of coffee and peace and quiet. For the first time in a long time, we had internet in our home, and were feeling that much more "normal".

Not 12 hours later, the reality is once again no internet.

Saturday night, we had a horrible electrical storm. Olivia and the kids were all keeping close to Todd and I, afraid of the noise and the light. As Olivia says, "faus". (We have no idea where she got that word.)

A near strike of lightning zapped our TV antennea, and arc'ed across two outlets in the family room. There are now charred marks on the white walls where the sparks flew. An electrical access panel in our bedroom also blew across the room, and some things like the elecronic gate latches and door buzzer, hot water heater and some lights now don't work.

But worst of all, the DSL modem/router, that glorious portal to the rest of the world, is dead.

Fried.

Kaput!

So, begins again our wait for Italia Telecom to bring and install a replacement.

I guess I should be happy that no major damage occurred, or God forbid that something would happen to Olivia, Todd or the kids.

Still...

Celebration

With tears out of joy I can here by tell you...WE GOT INTERNET in the house! What a great feeling, even if the power gets off plenty of times during the day.

It is incredible how used to Internet we people have become, and that many people couldn't believe what I was telling them. You have that problem in Italy? Well you should see the garbage "mountains" that would scare you.

But I love the people here, they are wonderful.

So I will see you in the mornings, great to be back.

Amore!

Home Sweet Home

I was suppose to go to Bucharest but my doctore said No. Don't worry...Max is doing fine, It is me like an "old horse" but nothing serious so you dont have to send me flowers and get well cards :-)

Yesterday evening the Internet guys came, since my Italian friend had called them and been very angry and said some well choosen words. Couple of hours later they were in my office. BUT no internet yet, but a least we are on the right way....hmmm.
Next, is to get television into our living room....funny, I can live without TV but not Internet.

I have some interesting research about East block women strategi to hook up with a man. Next time I will tell you a little about that even if it doesnt go under "Animals and Children"

Amore!

Time to go home...

And so another week has gone by, too quickly. I cannot say I am sad to leave a cold, rainy 12C Malmo, Sweden to return “home” to southern Italy and 28C. But it has been great to meet many animal lovers and I hope that with my lecture I planted a BIG seed to fight for those without any voice. Now you have the knowledge!

Friday we were invited to “my” publisher for coffee and cake, and interesting conversation. You guys are so warm and wonderful. Thanks! (picture)

Saturday, Olivia’s Godfather Benny celebrated her birthday in his tastefully decorated apartment with many antiques --- that made me sweat watching Olivia running around together with Benny’s sweetheart Golden Retriever “Valentino”. Benny is a well known author and a hair designer --- a man with a great big heart. (picture)

Books by Benny Rosenqvist, Överlevaren and Shoppa inte kärlek när du längtar.

Congratulations my Friend

My friend Miharu from Japan ---living in Amercia with her husband--- are blessed with a healthy beautiful girl Haruka.

Sometimes Miharu babysat Olivia--when she was a newborn--and I remember Miharu singing for Olivia in Japanes, it was soothing and beautiful and amazing to hear.

Congratulations my friend and I hope you will enjoy Fayetteville, NC. Welcome back to the city of excitement ;-)

In Sweden!

Just as I didn't really remember it... windy, rainy, cold. Both myself and Olivia have the sniffles!

Here we leave 28 degrees celsius in southern Italy, and 13 hours later, we require winter clothes to walk down the street! Short walks, indeed!

Held a lecture last night for a dog organization in southern Sweden that went very well, a great audience that seemed very interested in what I had to say through the 2-hours of talking (then they carried me out!)

I laced various elements of my experiences into the lecture... from Animal Communication to homeless dogs to animal rescue in Italy to Bosnia and Bahrain. Even a little bit about my family, when the only picture they could display from the disc was of my husband holding little Shiloh when I brought her home in 2004 (just 3 weeks old! She fit in the palm of his hand!)

Olivia is enjoying playing with mormor (grandma) and it is mutual!

Going to meet with my publisher today for coffee and cake. We'll see what else they might have on the table!

Hej da!

Abuse! Abuse I say!

I now know what it feels like to be kicked to death from the inside!

With just 3 months until the blessed day this little demon is removed from my body, I guess I'm in the "home stretch" of the pregnancy. The days and nights are cooling off a little bit, so my burden is a little less uncomfortable in that regard. Still, he seems to think I'm a spherical trampoline!

No position seems to be good for him. Or else, they all are, depending on how he looks at it.

Olivia didn't do me like this!

I remember my time pregnant with her as a nice, warm, gentle feeling. Sure, there must have been pain and discomfort, but I sure don't remember it like this! No, this little Max is sure to be a kickboxer!

This weekend, we set up his nursery a little bit further. Todd hung some things on the wall, put the crib together, and bought some throw-rugs. It is a little more real that he will soon be joining us.

I just hope I live to see it!

No Internet

This is crazy!
When living in Bosnia 2001 I had internet in my apartment right away. Here, in Southern Italy we have waited for over 6 weeks for Telecom to come and install ADSL connection to the Internet.
Through the whole of August no one worked -- vacation -- so nothing to do. When I made a coment they just said, "This is Southern Italy, they will do it when ever they want to do it!" And I guess that being off for a month they have a lot to catch up.
I call them every day, I cry, I pull my hair...nothing helps...."no sengora, you just have to wait!"

So please even if I may be so bold....stay there on the other side of the screen, because "I will soon be back!"

Life as a Mother

My little flower has started daycare, half-time but it is killing my heart!

And this is just the beginning of letting her go, little by little for her development--and mine--

Every morning we get ready for "school" , having a joy together walking to "school"
I drop her off to the Italian teachers, then, I cry behind the garbage cans. Silly mom!

Half time is enough, I dont want to miss to much of her during the days. She is my flower.

P.S. Still no Internet!! This is crazy!

Blast from the past...

What a treat to have Hanne Boel and her band perform in Naples! It seems the "Skandinavian Queen of Soul" moved some time ago to Naples, with her musician-husband and children. The numerous Skandinavian military officers here in Naples (Mostly Danish and Norwegian, but a few Swedes too) arranged for her to perform for charity. She and her band even performed for free.

So, we had a good evening listening to her two sets of songs, and letting our memories float back to the '80s and 90's, big hair and simpler times. The hall was smallish, but we had well over 100 people, drinking wine and beer and enjoying her soulful melodies.

Todd enjoyed practicing "concert photography". Here are a few of the better pictures from his 345 total frames. Whew!

Ciao!

Blessed delivery

Olivia's super God-parents have a bundle of joy of their own! They have christened him "Oliver", and he is happy and healthy, and adored by his parents, as well as their other "kids", Pippi and Kid.

We are so happy for them!

Bellisimo!!

Lecture/Foredrag

A short stop to hold a lecture in Malmo Sweden, Thursday 20th September.

More information you can conntact Vicky
vh@jenso-fastigheter.se

Cannot wait to see you all, and share all my stories from the animals (and people) around the world.

Love
Mia

Our little flower...

... is growing up so fast! (Not to mention the weed next to her! ;-)

Frustrating and Wonderful

Ok it is frustrating not having Internet in the house--still--, and we are many who "suffer" together. Complains whom of us who needs the computer most. I do miss my mornings, writing to YOU on my blog, my time, my brain time....

We had a party for Olivia on her birthday and 30 people with different Nationalities came. It was wonderful. But I forgot that I was pregnant, and having a three floor house to clean and a Swedish smorgosboard to make...I was totally half dead for three days. But it was worth every new wrinkle in my face.

Went to and Italian veterinarian with one of our dogs yesterday. So interesting to see how they work with the animals here, homeopathic was also included. Our little fury kid had a bladder infection but today jumps and are happy herself again.

Going to Sweden one week in September to hold a lecture. In October, one week to Bucharest and hopefully Bosnian too. So much to do and so many wonderful people and animals to interview, I cannot wait.

A scary statistic

Still no Internet in the house!

I read that 40% of 3-month-olds regularly watch television, DVDs or videos. The source is from the archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine US.
How scary is that?

Don't forget....

My dear Swedish readers, don't forget... I'm in the Metro today. You wouldn't want to miss it!

http://www.metro.se/

Ciao!

Mia

Family Time

Still no Internet in our house, I am posting a picture so you don't forget us ;-)

By the way, a message to my Swedish readers: Monday, I will be in the newspaper "Metro" in the paper back (book) reviews. http://www.metro.se/

Baby News

Just got out of the doctors office....yes it is a Maximillian and he is doing great.
It is so fantastic how close to him I already feel, and seeing him picking his nose is just so...what can you say? It's AMORE!
So I am walking around with a "silly" smile on my lips right now.

Dogs Happy or Not?

Driving around and seeing all these homeless dogs made me wonder if they are really unhappy. Most of them look chubby, thanks to all the garbage and some giving hands. But I have to say that they most unhappy dogs are those that are looked out in the backyards. Many people have dogs to scare thieves away, that's their job. Shouldn't the watchdogs have a good living as a thank you for doing their job?
My neighbor--been here for 2 years-- is a woman with a huge heart. People next door got a burglar breaking into their home so they decided to get guard dogs. One day when my neighbor looked through the fence she saw one of the two dogs in such a bad shape, blood from some wounds was sticking the fur together and the dog is so skinny and unhappy. She called her veterinarian immediately!

So what are we doing to our friends? Who are we to judge if it is wrong with stray dogs or not? Shouldn't we look at every individually cases and see if there is a solution instead of killing a lot of homeless dogs because we don't like to see someone that is looking dirty? Shouldn't we help them to heal?

I remember once a person said to me about the people in war, "Let them kill each other, it is not our problem."

I remember once a person stuck his umbrella in to a caged bears nose and thought that was funny.

I want to forget these people but I guess they make me go on fighting for the children and animals.

"Thank the bad people they are the ones that makes you grow."

Blond and Pregnant

is not a good combination.....that is so true. Driving all the way down (30minutes) to the Food Court so I can post pictures and some news to you on my blog. Even got a baby sitter so I can sit by myself and think. So what happened?
I forgot the computer!!

We moved in to our new house and it is so wonderful to have your own place. Getting in to rutins.

So my days....unpacking and trying to learn Italian.

You will soon hear from me...if I so have to color my hair.

Moving into the New House

Wednesday was the first night in our new house in Southern Italy and it is huge and beautiful. The moving company guys were fantastic and did a quick job with a smile on their faces the whole day. When we chose the house the first time, six bedrooms and five bathrooms seemed a lot, but with all the cartons and furniture, we filled up the rooms very quickly. Now we wonder where to put the guests?

Picking up two of our dogs from the kennel was a true joy--the other two had stayed with us at the hotel the whole time.

It wasn't just us who had missed them, Ranger the big black Labrador had dug huge holes in the lady's yard trying to escape. Both ran out to the car fast as two canon balls.

Right now am I sitting at a food court using WiFi since we don't have any Internet connection in our house. And, I don't know when we will get it installed, so please be patient if I don't get to answer your e mails as quick as I would like to, our updating this blog.

A True Hero

I got this article sent to me by a friend, and I want to share it with you all.

Four Legged Hero

Bored Teenagers

Aftonbladets picture

Two teenagers wanted to have some fun, so they put Adam the kitten on fire. Now Adam is fighting for his life.

Santa Rosa California, Adam 3-months-old, was sitting in a cage outside an apartment, when two girls, 15-years-old were passing. The girls saw him and "wanted to have some fun" and drenched the kitten in gasoline and turned him in to a burning torch.

A young boy heard the kitten's screams and got him out, and took him to the Cotati Hospital. According to them this is the most difficult burn damaged patient they ever had.

Please send Adam your thoughts and prayers for healing.

Congratulation!

I got great news last night! My friends in North Carolina got a new family member.

Kid (to the left) is a German Shepard mix, 9-month-old.

Pippi (right) was adopted over one year ago.

I know Kid will have a wonderful life, and my heart is happy that he will stay with this family and have an awesome life.

Congratulation my friends!

Mother Earth is Crying

U.S. embassy warns about the city's health and safety issues.
Well that is comforting and loving to hear!!
I was reading the newspaper, and this didn't surprise me after seeing all the garbage laying around that it is a huge problem.
What are we doing with Mother Nature, Mother Earth?

"U.S. embassy in Rome has warned U.S. citizens they may face a health risk in Italy's southern Campania region due to the garbage crisis that has filled streets with piles of rubbish. Open fires with potentially toxic fumes, and/or sporadic public demonstrations by local residents attempting to block access to dumps. The fault of political mismanagement, conflicting interest and organized crime--guess that is the Mafia--
Last month the European Commission took legal action against Italy over the thousands of tonnes of uncollected waste, saying it posed serious health and environmental risks through the spread of disease and through pollution of air, water and land."

Information from newspaper Panorama 2007

Living in Italy

We are busy getting settled in to our new house. But we are frequently visitors at IKEA, it's our tourist place!

Still staying in "our" hotel until late in the week, when our belongings get delivered. Here, the electricity is going on and off in the evenings, the elevator stops, TV shuts off and you are working on the computer. It is very enjoyable when this happens every 15 minutes. Well, I got to know yesterday from an American lady that told me this happens a lot during the summer because "the Americans" are using so much air condition. Oops!

Speaking about air conditioning....I noticed that it is a big difference between loving and disliking that thing. Many wives are saying the same, "I hate that darn noisy sound and that it is ice cold when I get up to check on the children."

And the men, " I had such a great sleep. My head was cold and nice when I woke up."

I have to agree with the women, I like to have the doors and windows open and feel the nice breeze sweeping in, and in the morning hear the birds singing.

Our Internet is sometimes on and sometimes you cannot get any connection. Very frustrating for someone who is spoiled by always having a great connection. We heard that it can take up to one month before we get a phone line hooked up in to our new house...and only then can they even tell us if we can get internet (ADSL)! Ah, one must simply accept this is the way in Italia, there is no fighting it. And August is the big vacation time for the Itailans, most off the things will stand still.

It is a very different living here but I am sure we will love it.

Have a great summer!