Happy New Year

May all your dreams and wishes come true.
A true Happy Amore 2009 to you all, and thank you for your support and love in 2008. You readers mean a lot to me, I couldn't have a better support group/team/fans.

I wrote a couple of days ago about my dreams and goals.....they are still the same and I am working on them even over the holidays. Dreams never take a break!

My Amore to you all.

visit also http://www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com/ and http://www.mytailwagsforyou.blogspot.com/

Inside the Dogs Mind

( Dexter (in rear of picture) in his former shelter, a dark damp place)
Too many hands and mouths are involved in the project "shelter mission" Too many people who said they were in, and then disappeared because it is not an easy project. People who don't attend to meetings, or do their research later on but have their opinions ready, and many times the facts are wrong, very wrong.

We didn't chose to adopt our new dog Dexter! He ended up in our home for a variety of different reasons. Regardless of intent, in my heart I couldn't let him return to the shelter. I still get nightmares when I am thinking of that place. Volunteers that went with me say the same, it was like the air went out of us.

A Sengora didn't like that we adopted Dexter since he was in the category "easy to adopt." According to her, we should pick one of the other less desirable dogs, blind, crippled or...... We wanted the blind dog, but with two small children I am afraid he would walk into them (not on purpose of course) and the children could fall down the stairs. And just why should we not want a good dog anyway?

But in another way she couldn't be more wrong about Dexter being an easily adoptable dog. Other than size, what makes her think Dexter is so adoptable? Sitting at a distance from me, and having a psychological opinion makes me wonder how she does that? Maybe she is psychic?

Last year when I held a lecture for one of the leading dog trainers in Sweden, they were very much against importing stray dogs to Sweden, "You don't know what you'll get!" they said.

To one certain degree I agree. Having more than 10 years of experience from different countries dealing with strays, you do not know what you get, and ....the dogs don't know what they are to get either!

Dexter, is fantastic in the group of our pack, but is terrified of humans and sounds. You take out the broom and he screams a sound that goes through skin and bones. You cannot pet him on his head, and if I call him he freezes and throws himself down on the ground... totally submissive, waiting for a beating that apparently in the past would be sure to follow.

He also has separation anxiety and you can hear him howling far out to the parking lot. He pees and poops inside, so according to the Sengora if this is an easy dog to adopt away, I sure don't know what the other dogs are behaving like. But we love our Dexter, he is one of us now --- we know it will take time, that is ok for us.

You can get a small dog with huge problems, and a big dog with small problems. You never know. Dogs, like humans, will react to, and interact with, different environments differently: child, children or empty nest; apartment, house or farm; a calm person, athletic and active or one who is stressed; the list and variables can be long. But who has the skills, and time to fully observe and evaluate every individual dog before being put up for adoption?

Who can communicate with the dog, and make sure what his needs are? (ok, I can!)

Sometimes we chose with our Amore heart, sometimes we are too demanding that we think we rescued a dog, and he should be thankful.

They have the same emotional needs like our children, every one different and unique. Adopting a child takes years to accomplish, adopting a dog takes a day.....where is the balance?

Opinions expressed are solely my own, and not those of AWL.

See the Light at the End of the Tunnel

I am trying to have a positive mind.

I want so badly to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Amore light!

Tragedy into Triumph

Much of what I've written on here lately has been primarily about animals. Well, it is time to service the other half of the blog's name: children.


Over Christmas, I read an Associated Press (AP) wire article, John's Wish, that just twisted my heart into a pretzel. I strongly recommend reading it, and reading it to your children.


What great heart, and faith, this one 15 year old boy had! What a difference he has made in the world.

At a time in his life when he should have been thinking about sports, and school, and girls, he was faced with a condition that brings even adults to their knees. He faced it with grace, and faith, and turned something personally tragic, into something wonderful for others he would never meet, half the world away.


What Amore heart. And what a reminder of the meaning of miracles, and of Christmas.

Holidays and Dogs... a connection?

What is it with holidays and our dogs?

Recently, the one doesn't pass without an impact on the other.

Today, our little girl Zara, who only a month ago narrowly survived Rat Poison she ate on Thanksgiving, is again sickly.

This time, we have no idea what could be the problem. She hasn't been out of our sight, and hasn't been eating anything strange. Still, she is listless and taking very short, shallow breaths. Clearly something isn't right... she is usually a very rambunctious, energetic, even mischievous puppy.

We've been racking our brains, trying to think of what might she have done to cause this. So far, no clue.

So, rather than wait until morning for a "regular" Veterinarian visit as we had planned earlier in the afternoon, we are now driving her to the 24-hour Emergency $$$ Vet about 15 miles from our home.

Please keep Zara in your prayers, again. We'd be lost without her Amore heart!

Dreams

Last night I got a question about when my next book will be done?

I blushed, and realized I haven’t been writing much the last couple of months. I have hired babysitters and during that time I've been running around doing other things…like starting up the heretofore sleeping foundation Animals Without Limits.

I also want to translate my other three books into English. I get many e-mails from people wondering when they can buy the translated books . Some of my Swedish readers beg me to translate them so they can send them to their friends in foreign countries.

Gosh! I am so behind schedule, and my inner soul is screaming to be writing. But it is hard to be a mom with two small children, and even here is my guilt-voice telling me I am not giving them all my time either--seven dogs in the casa.

Ah yes, the strays…I do want to create so much for them.

But if I want my dream(s) to become true, I have to get the book(s) project(s) going.

My dream(s) are to be a bigger and greater Animal Ambassador, and I want an olive plantation with 23 strays, together with my family…to have this I need to write a best seller... and not just in Sweden. Hah!! Amore Dreams!

October 2008, Olivia and I lighting a candle for the stray souls that our need help, in Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France. Photo Copyright (C) 2008, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved.

What is Honor?

Our recent trip to feed the dogs at an area shelter brought me face-to-face with this lovely lady (the one to the left).

Clearly old, slow moving, maybe hard of hearing. Possibly addled from the confusion and frustration of being incarcerated with 70 other yapping, barking, wailing dogs.

She very much reminded me of my own Tjojs: the heart still willing, but the body wearing out and that causing frustration and saddness.

I knew immediately that I wanted to provide this lady a proper final time on this earth.

My estimate is that in her current living conditions, or where the authorities will put her when she is taken from the current shelter, is less than 3 months. With luck, and love, we could possibly give her over 6 months, and a condition fitting for such a matriarch.

Current drama and the ongoing situation is complicating things to make this happen. Still, there is a chance, and we will work to make it happen.

Please keep "Lupa" and AWL in your Amore prayers.

Photos Copyright (C) 2008, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved.

Text Copyright (C) 2008, Mia Mattsson-Mercer. All Rights Reserved.

Merry U.S. Christmas

Two Happy former strays!

I want to thank you, all blog readers that are following my thoughts, opinions and work. And, also to thank you all who bought my books (privately). All the money from these sales go to Animals Without Limits work. http://www.animalswithoutlimits.com/

My Amore thank you, I hope you will continue to read and support my blog (and our work).

Shelter in Need Now

Copyright (C) 2008, Todd A. Mercer (photos) and text Mia Mattsson-Mercer

AWL got kind of good news about the shelter that you saw on the video the 17th-- or the pictures I have posted more recently. The judge had directed to close down the shelter after Christmas, and the dogs would be transferred to another shelter named by many locals "Death Waiting Shelter"

Thousands of dogs on top of each other, cold wet concrete, in their own feces, waiting to die (but earning the owners 125 euros a month for each soul incarcerated there).

This shelter they are at now is horrible (watch the video), but we are all trying to get the dogs out for adoption or into foster homes. As horrible as this shelter is, it is actually better than where they would go to from there. But, our time is running out.

But are they being fed now over Christmas?

AWL has a plan but we need more time. We want 2-3 months, but the judge gave the shelter "solo" one month. Our dead line is the end of January!

I cannot close my eyes.

Please believe in AWL's goal, plan and wish. We will tell you along the way what we are doing....trust me.

These dogs are getting feed every 4-5 days....Since this shelter is under investigation/court order, and people have been convicted, we are walking on eggshells right now. So believe me when I can not yet write down all information. I have to be very careful, not to step on any one's innocent feet, or insult others, and the most important thing, to avoid jeopardising the animals life's.

We need money, foster homes, adoptions, volunteers that are willing to help AWL one weekend in January. I will assure you that it will be an adventure, but I will hold your hand and bring you into education and experience. Believe me, you will feel the gratitude from the Universe, me, AWL and the most important....the Amore dogs that are giving their life into your hands.

Merry Christmas

Meet Dexter!

He was the only one we have managed to get out from the shelter so far (but we haven't given up on the other 70 dogs-we need all the help we can get), that you have seen on the video from last week.

He had to stay at a veterinarian clinic for a couple of days, to get de-wormed, and he was full of fleas and had a bad ear infection.

This is our Christmas Present, a new member to the pack Mercer.

Have A Merry Amore Christmas!

New Family To Feed

(photo; Olivia and I are hiding in the bush after feeding them)

For some months now I have fed a pack of dogs by the skeleton house were Truffle and Hunty were "living" before ( see earlier on blog). As for Truffle and Hunty, I haven't seen them in a while now. I guess the new pack took over their territory. Hard nature, surviving is a hard lecture on this world!

The new pack has 6 puppies that are now included on my feeding list. They are very afraid of the humans, so Olivia and I we sit and watch them at a proper distance. I try to explain for Olivia that they have a better chance to survive if we leave them alone.

The dog catchers will have a harder time putting these into the dog shelters. And people who are afraid of dogs don't have to hit them, the puppies are safer away from us.

That is one hard Amore lesson!

A Shelter in Need II

Please, we are running out of time! We need foster homes and adoptions for the innocent dogs who will be cast away in a sea of agony after Christmas if we don't find a solution. This time I am on my knees for YOU. Please help them!

Copyright (c) 2008, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved. No one is allowed to copy the pictures without AWL approval.

DWL

Drama Without Limits....what a week it was last week and in away it still is.


I say it again and again, if I could just work with the dogs I would be so happy.


Well, that is not just true, there are some people I love to work with. But I cannot work with drama queens, they are like insecure dogs....howling and talking too much about what other people should do or not do, and nothing gets done. It makes me crazy.


I try to value my time since I have to divide it between so many people, and animals. When I try to cut the meetings short, some can think I am rude.


Many ask me how I can do everything I am doing, my answer to that is: anyone can do it if they get off the phone and plan their day. One will be amazed how much they can do in just a 2 hour mission a day.


I love going out on missions with the AWL veterinarian, she is quiet and observes the strays, and learns about them by "only" watching.


I love going on missions with my daughter Olivia who is 3 years old. She never wastes any time on talking about how terrible this world is....she is observing and solving, with a beautiful view from a young Amore perspective.


To all you who ask me I can only say this; talk less, get information by listening, and then solve problems with team work.


The best hunters are the silent ones! That is so Amore true.

Shelter in Need

(C) Todd Mercer pictures

Saturday we went in to the Shelter in need. What can I say?

If you looked at the video I posted last Friday, you will understand that AWL need all the help to help the 70 dogs that are in this Shelter.

Have you helped someone you don't know?

We are puppies and no one plays with us!

The pictures will talk. Now it is up to you.

AWL are going out tomorrow again with more food and Amore and it is not enough.

Two Beautiful Labradors

Two beautiful sweet Labrador girls around 7 months old need a foster home or, a real home forever.
They are spayed and all the medical bills are taken cared off.

The girls were roaming around in the middle off the street, and you could see in their behavior that they have had a family.

Helen (UK) is devastated to have to put them back on the street again, they wont survive.

Please, give them a home over Christmas and New Year --over the Amore time--. We are working really hard during this time to find them an owner, if you cannot keep them.

Have you been giving a helping hand to someone you don't know yet?

Christmas Party Donations

We had our yearly Christmas Party here in Italy. As usual we asked our guests to bring dog food instead of wine or flowers.

Many of our beloved friends from different countries showed up, with dog food and presents. (You guys are so generous)

It was a lovely stack of dog food that Animals Without Limits can distrube to the ones mostin need

We got up to 12 dog bags and 5 big cans of dog food.

It shows that many people have a heart of Amore. Thank you friends.

Rescued-Adopted from a Horrible Shelter

Animals Without Limits volunteer Erika, with boyfriend Enzio, rescued this beautiful, wonderful little guy. He was in a terrible condition with his fur, feces and mud matted all over his body. But already after only 3 days out with love, walking on a leash with dog friend Tiffany he is not so scared any more.
This is a fury, warm Amore story! Thank you Erika and Enzio and Tiffany!

Rain Mission Impossible

Today was like fighting the devil himself. Rain and more rain, and these 7 dogs are just chained up with the water getting higher and higher by every hour.

The veterinarian and I stood there in water up to our knees. It was hard to see anything, and even harder to examine the dogs. As hard as all that was, it was even harder to leave these dogs. Will they be drowned tomorrow?

One of the dogs is a black Labrador that someone had left on the street; another one is a female and is pregnant. Everyone of them is freezing and miserable.

Gosh ... more later, I am freezing myself and I am not happy with what I have seen today.

Helplessness and failure are my main feelings right now. I will tell you the whole story, and my thoughts in a couple of hours. A dopo! (Later)

Good People Helping part II

Yesterday I wrote about good people helping, and one of the better shelters...let me be more clear.

This is a group of volunteers (CaniDiSommaVesuviana) that doesn't have their own shelter but goes around to different shelters and tries to help or get more information about their situation inside the shelter. Also they try to get the media awake to the problem; "business with animals."

I wrote (even longer ago) about shelters that(are) getting 125 euro per dog, per month. Its big business, and it doesn't mean that they have to keep the dogs healthy or clean--- just alive to collect the monthly subsidy.

CaniDiSommaVesuviana is trying to get to these horrible dog shelters and it was Channel 7 that made the documentary about the terrible conditions the animals have to go through-- in different levels. But, they also want to show that some shelters have become a little better. This is hard work!

So, my hat's off for the volunteers, but no Amore to the people who just see the money in suffering animals inhumanely kept alive.

Please Help US & Them

After you watched this video, contact me and tell me you want to help Animals Without Limits. We will pay for the medical costs, YOU pay with your love, Amore!

Good People Helping

One of the better Shelters. Watch the video below on their web site. It is in Italian, but the pictures describes better than thousands words.

Amore to them who works hard to make this place a better world for the animals.

Campania Evilness

Campania Dog Shelters, there is no number for how many there are, and like I said earlier on my blog, no high adoption numbers. For many years have I tried together with AWL to work against mistreatment of animals, many people ask why nothing is being done. I have an answer for you...MONEY. As long as there is money involved they will continue with the evilness. As long as we don't get any money we cannot prevent the evilness.

Why do we not have more volunteers? No MONEY.

Around this area in Campania are some shelters being discovered by media, and many people are getting mad of what they have seen. Thanks to Internet the information and horror can reach YOU in your living room. BUT, some people choose to shut the computer off.

I urge you to contact media, to become a foster to one off these dogs, or adopt. I urge you to volunteer, we "just" ask about a couple of hours. Give them a good warm Christmas!

Start by watching the video, and then contact us. Don't call and complain. Don't ask what can I do? Just call and say, I want to end this madness, I am in.

Your Amore can safe lives. Your Amore can make you feel better.

http://www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com/

I Know Santa is There

Letter to Santa leads to man's molestation arrest

PHARR, Texas – A Texas man has been arrested after a 9-year-old girl wrote to Santa Claus asking that a relative stop touching her and her sister.
The Monitor of McAllen reports that a man from the town of Pharr was arrested Friday and is in the Hidalgo County jail.
A criminal complaint says the girl turned the letter in at Cesar Chavez Elementary School. Authorities interviewed the girl after a school counselor reported the letter.
The complaint says investigators believe the molestation occurred over a period of four years.
The man is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child and could face as many as 99 years in prison if convicted. (Yahoo.com news)
Thank you Amore Santa!

Oscar is Getting Ready

(read about Oscar on the blog October month)
Oscar is doing wonderfully. He gained 15 kg and is now a 30 kg, fantastic goof. The veterinarian said he looked great. Gosh are we proud?

Much Amore to foster mother Steph who is doing the work.

We have other great news about Oscar, we will post them later when everything is ready.

LUCIA

Today is Lucia day. I missed watching the Lucia train on Swedish TV. But I got one live...my friend Ylwa and my daughter Olivia.

Of course I Amore cried!

SUNNY

Please give me a good life. I am a loyal loving dog!

Sunny need a home, a loving home. In return, you will get plenty of AMORE

Sunny is...a sunny sweet, loving dog. He is 2-3 years-old and was found by Lin(UK) in the garbage. Give him your sunshine Amore, please.

True Amore Between Children and Animals

Teach your children to respect animals, and of course opposite. That is educational Amore!

Animal Amore

Best Amore Friends! Olivia and Trooper relaxing.

One Campania Dog Shelter

An area volunteer at a dog shelter has, for several days, tried to get into the shelter where she helps out. The person that runs the shelter has not been around... gone for three days.

No food, no water. No cleaning up for the dogs. This is a normal day for thousands of dogs in the concentration-camp settings of dog shelters in Campania.

This is no @%$@ Amore!

A True Hero

Footage from a traffic camera overlooking a busy freeway in Santiago, Chile captured a dog performing a ulling heroic act — pulling an injured friend from oncoming traffic.

So how can you justify your thought about animals not being intelligent?
This is amazing Amore

Old Friend

For many centuries I have been standing by you, and standing up for the human beings --- and I still do.

Where is your Amore for me?

photo Copyright (c) 2008 Mia Mattsson-Mercer

check out what AWL is doing http://www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com/

Sad News & Good News

Opening my mail today I found this wonderful e mail from a friend a got to know in North Carolina. Our new dog had climbed the fence and I drove around crying looking for him. I saw a woman walking her two dogs and I stoped and asked if she had seen my Clyde?

She had not, but she helped me searching after Clyde until we found him. When Zina was living in Africa she helped the stray dogs there. She is a true Amore animal friend!

"I wanted to let you know that we are putting a package in the mail to you tomorrow (Dec 8) which contains some blankets, bowls, collars, and a small cat carrier. I was able to get some good deals at the thrift store on Post. I hope you don't mind "used" items, but I was sure to wash everything in bleach to ensure it was all clean and ready for use. I am able to purchase more this way. I hope you find these items useful for your projects.

We just rescued another dog and were lucky to find him a new home already. He was chained in the backyard with no attention and not being fed daily. I may have told you about him before. Anyway, tomorrow he goes to the vet for neutering and shots, then off to the new home on Tuesday. He is a very sweet boy and is enjoying his time here with us. He will go to a farm where there is another Lab waiting on his arrival.

Did you see the story on the national news that a woman in Wisconsin left her dog outside in 10 degree weather and the dog froze to the sidewalk!! Luckily someone called authorities the next day and the dog was still alive. They had to use hot water to melt the ice to free him. He is now in the safety of the Humane Society, and the owner was arrested.

Makes me sick to think about. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Zina"

Ah, yes. The holidays. I guess in this boy's case, Santa came early, and in the form of mere (but big Amore caring) humans. On behalf of the animals you help, thank you Zina. Merry Christmas!

Time Flies

Max turned one-year-old yesterday. Happy Amore Birthday, wonderful boy!

Don't forget to visit our other blog www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com

Swedish Lucia ... in Italy

Yesterday we got to see a pretty Lucia at a very nice glogg party (Swedish Christmas smorgasbord) at the "other" Mercer's house (not related but great friends)

Of course I got so emotional when our little Mui walked up next to the Lucia, as a little Starlight.

Since we are so many people with different nationalities here, we celebrated Lucia yesterday instead of December 13. Many families are going home to their own countries over Christmas.

It was a wonderful Lucia Amore evening!

Rat Poison

The research is scary, and many veterinarians tell me it is a big problem with people laying out rat poison. And it is not small amounts, it is several cans that people pour out.

Olivia and the dogs play where there is a big hole in the fence into an empty skeleton house. It is kind of ironic, the entrance gate is locked with a big chain, but a couple of meters away there is this big hole.

When I walked in there was this cat laying there and I can just imagine the slow and painful death she suffered, the animals are bleeding inside for 1-2 weeks before they die.

Two big jars of rat poison lay near the opening in the fence, and just the thought of Olivia playing with these jars made my heart beat faster.

I went and visited Zara today (read blog yesterday) and she is doing better, but still she has to be in the cage so she doesn't become too physically active, and start to bleed internally again. And she is very weak and tired.

The veterinarian showed me the blood test results from the lab and they were scary, she was so close to death!

I thank you all for your Amore thoughts, and I thank the Army Chaplain for his Amore prayer, for our Amore girl.

It Happened Again!

Right now it is a very worried and stressed situation here in our house, in our pack. What can I say --- it happened again.

Zara, our latest, wonderful dog--sniffing our son's leg on the Tuesday blog--is terribly sick. I took her in to the veterinarian today, who told me if I had come in with her one hour later she would probably not have been with us anymore.

What is happening? What kind of place is this--- certainly not any heavenly place for dogs.

Zara came in the house (Friday) and looked like she had a bad cold. The next day, Saturday, I put her on antibiotics and a painkiller. After a couple of hours she looked a little better. I decided if she didn't seem well on Monday, I would have to visit the veterinarian.

Sunday I got a vision (from her) of internal bleeding!

Monday morning she looked the same --- low. So I took her to the veterinarian clinic we routinely use. I also had an urine sample from one of the other dogs back home with me, I thought she might have a bladder infection. One of the veterinarians took the sample and thankfully it didn't show anything wrong. Then I told him about Zara's symptoms.

"Does she haves diarrhea?"

"Well today she had. Can I bring her in? She is in the car"
"Blood in the diarrhea, vomitting?"

"Eh no. Should I bring her in?"
"Oh no. She's been eating something. Keep giving her antibiotics."

"Eh... ok?"

Driving home I just felt that it was not right. But going against a veterinarian? Hell, I am not a doctor.

Tuesday morning I go inspect the skeleton (gutted) house that is our neighbor in the parco. I remember Zara had been in there for 3 minutes the previous Thursday. I find two open buckets of Rat Poison, and a dead cat. Later, I saw Trooper come out from the hole in the fence to this skeleton, with some unidentifiable piece of meat in his mouth. I retrieved it from him before he could swallow any of it.

By this time, Zara was now "just" laying; eating but laying; pooping hard, no vomitting, but "just" laying; tail-wagging but "just" laying.

I woke up this past night to hearing Zara "scream", it was 0130. She looked so sick and I just hugged her and told her to "hang in there". Darn it, the other veterinarian clinic wouldn't open up until 09.30.

The morning light hit our bedroom, and Zara was still laying very still; not moving, not eating. Now she couldn't even walk well. Todd had to carry her down the stairs so she could pee pee and poo poo. Luckily, no sign of blood. When he gently tried to nudge her toward the door, by pressing gingerly on her chest/shoulder, she yelped in pain. When we carried her out to the car, she layed still the whole way out.

I carried her into the new veterinarian clinic and the veterinarian looked at her, then felt her body, "she has internal bleeding" he reported. He did his blood work and told me she was really bad, maybe she would need a blood transfusion --- they needed to find a big dog. He reported that she has a chance to recover... but just a chance.

So, right now we are waiting for good news Amore! Please keep Zara in your prayers.

Sniffing Amore

Aroma Amore....who's leg? Check out more Amore "sniffing" pictures on www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com

Back Bone Book

"Why Men Love Bitches" and "Why Men Marry Bitches" by Sherry Agrov are great Back Bone reading. I wish I had had these books when I was (much) younger, they would have been (very)helpful.

These books don't incourage you to be mean,. Rather, I would say, they help to build up your (you're right!) back bone.

So, I am saving these books for Olivia's collection when she grows up (hah, even got it signed for her by the author!). No Cinderella here, she will become "the back bone Princess" that saves....the future.

This is good Amore Back Bone reading.

Did you see the back bone dog Hunty on http://www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com/

I've Got a Backbone...

...I want to think that, even if its just a very small one.

When I was expecting Olivia, I read an article about a woman who had a problem with speaking up, "to let her voice be loud". Yet she said when she got her child she had to work to get a "backbone"..."to be able to stand up for my daughter in the future I couldn't be a blond mouse anymore"

I thought then the idea of "getting a backbone" was a good self-coaching mantra, so I started to use that every time I wanted to back out of something that made me feel uncomfortable. Or, to complain at the hospital when they had treated my daughter incorrectly (and I was right, so no chicken mom here!)

There is a flip-side, however. I noticed that I became uncomfortable about some people, because they had to work harder since I started to ask why? Or say no!

When other women could be catty I backed off, and they got my power. I hated that, that they made me feel little and ugly. So now I have reclaimed my backbone, especially in my home and with my family. Here I am the lion mother who will fight for my backbone rights.


One thing I find enjoying amusing, is when people I don't know tell me how to raise my children. At a recent dinner party, one of the guests, a woman, was trying to get as many points from her new boyfriend "I know best, I am taking control here." Understandable, but the problem was the foil in her game was ME!



Max (11 months) crawls now and we have tiles that are ice cold. I dress him in double layers of clothing, since his tummy would otherwise be so cold. Ms Cat (as I called her) picked him up and started to joggle with him in the air, tickling him to which we were all where smiling. She stops abruptly, looks at me and bursts out; "He is sweating how can you dress him this warm?"

My explanation, with a smile. "Max crawls to the steps, as he loves to sit and hit with his small hands on the first steps. I am a hawk-eye mom, so don't worry!'

Ms Cat runs over and pulls him up from the floor; 'Watch it he can hit himself, this is dangerous!"

I explained solely with my smile.

So this went on and at the end of the evening I had had it. My "hostess politeness" started to shiver when she walked up and "saved" my son that she just met.

My backbone started to talk; "Lady, I am his mother, you are a guest, so go and relax"

And I Amore smiled. Thank God I had my ears or my smile would have gone around my head!

Read about the true backbones on www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com

My Girl is Singing

Olivia, my three year-old girl, was singing today, the TV was on in the kitchen, and it is always on Italian channels. I want to hear Italian every day, so that my Italian can for God sake improve one day. Suddenly, I hear Olivia sing and my spine gets stiff, I hear; "Womanizer, womanizer, I'm a womanizer"...

My gosh! my little girl is mimicking Britney Spears, she is in my Italian kitchen ... argh!

Amore is to sing, but Britney when you are 3? I am getting Amore old!

Did you read the www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com today?

Good News Update Gianni

Giovanni that we wrote about October 20th on this blog, stayed with Dario and Vittoria, got a new home. This is the e mail I got from them:
"Gianni is in a nice house here in our neighborhood, living with a young married couple...the lady, wanted him...because they had 2 more small dogs..but one had an accident and unfortunately died...so she really wanted a company for the little Stella!!
Gianni is very...super sweet that when she comes back from work..he has to stay in the house...
on the carpet all night long...close to her!!
Me and Dario...because we wanted keep helping Gianni decided that to buy for him monthly dog
food...and accessories!!
That's Amore by Dario and Vittoria!

Why Helping Animals and Not Humans?

In my e mail box today one woman asked; "Some people react negatively about helping animals. They believe we always should care about human-beings first and foremost. What do you tell them?"

Many times it is the humans that have caused animals suffering, and some of us are cleaning up after their mess. But for me, it depends of how the person asks; if the person has a negative, accusative tone, I just ask back; "What are you doing to help others in need?"

As I wrote in my third book; " But whom has said that I, who help animals, don't also help humans? No one accuses veterinarian students that they have chosen the wrong education. No one asks why become a veterinarian when there is a need for doctors in society."

Life is full of possibilitys and it is the knowledge we give and learn from each other that is important.

My daughter, who is now just three years old, donated 30 teddy's to a hospital for abused children, when she was much younger. She goes with me to shelters, and in school they have a Sudan assistance project that she participates in. So, she is learning about helping others from a very early age... "others" in terms of people and animals!

So no asumption Amore here please! Giving without expecting Amore... is Amore itself!

Feeding Strays?

This morning we went back to the skeletal houses (read below) to feed Truffle and Hunty. As we drove up, from the car I could spot Truffle's white tail wagging, far away. I got out of the car and was greeted by Hunty and Truffle with a lot of affection ---I nearly lost my balance. Hunty's eye looked much better, and both seemed in such a good spirit/mood.

I saw they hadn't been eating much of the dry food that left for them last night (returning for the third time), but when I opened the can of juicy meat they where all over it, and inhaled it with great joy.

A friend of mine later asked why they didn't finish the dry food....if they are so skinny and bony?

The answer: Strays are mostly surviving from humans' garbage; from pasta and other wet food. Good and soft. For them that is a delicacy.

It does make me wonder when some people say you shouldn't give your dog table scraps...well ask a stray!

When strays are eating "wet" food, they don't have to search for water to drink. But when they get dry food, they need to drink a lot. Sometimes, it can be hard for them to find water, especially when the summer here is more than 8 months long, and hot! Don't tell me that the strays didn't figure this out in a splendid way.

This is darn Amore surviving intelligence!

Copyright (c)2008 Mia Mattsson-Mercer

Truffle Update with Friend

(Update from October 29th)
We visited Truffle this morning, and found out he is taking care of a young, female. She is thin as a skeleton, and we named her Hunty. So sweet that it tears your heart in pieces, painful because you cannot provide them a warm home. A drafty skeletal house, dirt, weeds and mud.

It was so nice to see Truffle again, he and my daughter Olivia were cuddling up to each other, him closing his eyes letting go in human-child love.

Both Truffle and Hunty were famished! We offered them the can of dog food I always carry with me, and they inhaled it! Truffle seems to be doing well, although he limps from what appears to be an old wound, and has a scar on the right side of his face that looks like a grin. Hunty is doing much worse, it seems. She is skin-and-bones thin, with her hip-bones jutting out through her skin. I know she'd make somebody a great companion and maybe a hunting dog.

Truffle stayed close to Olivia. He seemed to sense her animal Amore, even at her young age. She's a great partner on our "missions".

Dr. Inga and I will visit Truffle and Hunty again soon, to check up on Hunty's eyes, and Truffle's limp. Hopefully, we will be able to routinely feed them too, to make sure they gain some weight, especially Hunty.

Here's some warm Amore for two loveable strays as the weather gets colder.

Mission Possible Team

From left; Erika Sundman, Mia Mattsson-Mercer, Dog Zara, Veterinarian Inga Vetrell, and my Princess Olivia.
We are some of the " Amore Team Mission Possible" Animals Without Limits!

Mission Mr. Ear

On the Mission Possible day, we continued on to a place near a lake to see if the fur balls needed our help. We stopped and met Mr. Ear, and his friend Mr.Rope. Mr.Ear was friendly to us and we could examine his ear, which we noticed that he scratched a lot.

Yes indeed, red and infected.

While I held Mr.Ear, Dr. Inga cleaned and medicated his ear. Poor thing! It hurt him badly walking around with such a bad infection.

Mr.Rope waged his tail but did not come up to us no matter how hard we tried to tempt him with goodies or kind voices. While frustrating to us, this is actually good in one way "I don't trust you, don't know what people will do to me." It can be such wariness that will keep him alive and out of "jail".

Bad for us who wanted to cut off the rope that hung around his neck. And also, to examine to be sure the rope hadn't grown into his neck, causing infection or even strangling him. No luck this time! We never got close enough.

We decided to return every day, and try to coax him into trusting us.

Follow up Amore on Mr. Ear and Mr.Rope is on our schedule.

Kind People

Yesterday I wrote about the dog Brownie, and the nice "Kiosk owner Lady" here she is next to Dr.Inga

I salute you, and veterinarian Inga for your Amore to the strays!
Amore!

Mission Possible

One month ago, the AWL veterinarian Inga and I went out on a "mission possible".

Brownie, (pictured above) is one of our clients. An old stray with terrible skin problems and gum bleeding, was in pretty bad shape.

Back then Dr. Inga treated him, and yesterday, we returned to pay him a "follow-up" visit.

We knew that a very kind Sengora was looking after him and his pack.

As we pulled up we were greeted by several strays, some happy fat ones, some less fat but laying in the sun, resting happily. The Sengora, who owns her kiosk at this place, came out and showed us that Brownie was sleeping behind her counter. My heart got so warm from her kindness.

Brownie came out, and he looked better. Dr. Inga treated him again and gave Sengora medicine to follow up until our next visit.

AWL Amore to the kindness of Campanian people.

More about mission possible tomorrow!

AWL Helped Bianco, The Rowing Club Mascot

A big dog friend, Helene (UK) called me and asked if AWL could help her with a dog at the Italian rowing club and restaurant, across the lake from where I live. The dog had a problem with one of its back legs.
Of course AWL would and could!

We agreed on meeting on a Saturday morning. It was a peaceful morning, the water on the lake was glittering from the sun, and I was greeted by a happy Helene, and a wonderful, happy, beige dog, Bianco.
Bianco limped and sometimes didn't put down his leg. He had "kind off" healed burn wounds on his stomach, but he was loving, gentle and didn't leave your side.

The restaurant owner came out, Bianco's "guardian angel." He told me what had happened one morning:
"I heard this terrible scream and rushed out. Bianco was being attacked by a Pitt Bull and it wouldn't let go even when I tried to hose it off with cold water. I ran in to the kitchen and got a pot of boiling water and threw it over them. It wasn't until then that he let go, and poor Bianco got burns
and a nasty bite."
I asked if they knew what had happened to the Pit Bull, did the owner get charged for miss handling a dog (breed)?
"The Pit bull ran into a pasture and attacked the horse, the farmer came out and shot the dog"
The restaurant owner took Bianco to an Italian veterinarian clinic were he was examined, but still he was not doing great, better though. But could we help?

I asked if we could have him castrated at the same time? The owner looked at me with big starring eyes, and his lips formed in a soundless "NO".
I promised that AWL would take care of the bill. His face lit up and he took my hand and was pleased. "Si, si!"

Bianco is doing fine now, a small fracture above the knee, his burns are healed and he is still a happy, castrated boy back at the restaurant. And, Helene sponsored by paying Biancos medical bill.

Healing Amore Helene Grazie!

Thank YOU

AWL want to thank Ulla Adamsson (SE), who is an animal homeopath and sent us a package with samples off ecological products, fare trade certified and not tested on animals,-- and even got a license from Koscher and Islam--. We are so looking forward to try the products. (http://www.ullabo.com/) Company, Forever Living Products (US)

We also got some big play toys (that they cannot chew a part) for the dogs that are in Shelters, or as a present for a dog being adopted.
Ulla Adamsson is also donating money every month to the foundation, Animals Without Limits.
Thank you so much for you generosity Ulla!

Ylwa Drugge-Mercer (SE) who picked up the package and traveled with the things back to Italy. And, your birthday donation. Instead of presents you wanted people to donate money to AWL.
A big Amore Happy Birthday!

AWL got a new Swedish girl in our team. Erika Sundman and lives "just" one hour from us. She is a great helper with the information and translation, Swedish-English-Italian
That is communication Amore!

Getting Old

Today I heard it again, a very common conversation-- or should I say common comment--, that the strays should be put down ... euthanized. I have been working with strays in different countries for 10 years I simply cannot agree.
Life is not always black or white, indeed, most of the time it is very gray. Some strays, perhaps if they are terribly sick or hurt. But many strays are happy!
Most of the dogs here are getting fed by kind Italians or International people. It is the medicine that costs a lot and many cannot afford paying for the animals treatment.
Heck, many cannot afford to pay their own hospital or dentist visits.

When we at AWL are out on mission, many strays are looking healthy, those who don't we either treat or bring in to a clinic. But yes, it isn't a pleasure watching scared animals running in the traffic, or being hit and no one stops.
Today on my way home from the Vet. Clinic, I counted four dead dogs on the highway. But killing all strays, just because it is an uncomfortable view?
That is extreme.
Life is not like when you are on vacation, in a place sanitized of strays, homeless people, starvation or children forced into prostitution. We can't, and shouldn't want to, go through life with rose-colored glasses, or we will miss the things that need true attention.

But anyway, I remember one case in Sweden about a sect that didn't believe in killing or eating animals. They had a couple of cows they took care of, and one day the sect was charged with animal neglect! People thought it was horrible to see this skinny, emaciated cow laying down most of the time. Big headlines in the newspapers: "Euthanize the animals and put the sect people in jail", shouted the papers and the people.
The head office veterinarian was called in.
This Veterinarian had spent many years working and living in India, where the Hindu religion forbids the killing of animals such as cows.
He examined the cows, went out to the herd of journalists, and the group of protesting "animal rights" group. The old veterinarian's back was straight, he coughed a little, looked at the people and said; "There is nothing wrong with the cow, YOU have just never seen a cow getting old!"

So next time ask yourself, "Is it a fact or assumption?"

It is just an Amore thought!

Happy Strays

Happy strays, yes there are happy healthy strays!