Thank You for Support

From my heart (our hearts) I want to thank all the veterinarians and nurses that took care of Shiloh at Villa Felice. Dr Friz for your support and knowledge too.

The "persons" that drove the car that hit Shiloh--or Shiloh hit their car--are calling every day and asking how she is doing. You couldn't help what happened, it was a tragic accident. I know you feel awful, once again, you could not help it. We appreciate very much your concern for our little pack-member.

Family, friends and blog readers, thank you so much for your support, love, prayers and thoughts.

For all your Amore to Shiloh, thank you.

Shiloh is Home!

Shiloh is home!!!

I cannot tell you all how happy I/we am/are to have her home, and it is a miracle!

Still she has a long way to "go" --recovering--, and we still don't know how much damage her head/brain got. She is having a huge problem with her shoulder, her left leg is acting like its paralyzed. Nothing is broken, the veterinarian said it is trauma.

When it is time for her pee pee, I lift her down from the two steps out to the garden.

She is concerned about the other dogs, and her tail goes between her legs. She doesn't seem to remember her pack.

I am giving her two injections a day, painkiller and vitamins that are special for her at this moment.

Time will tell, and time will heal. And we have all the time in the world to take care of her.

We are so happy to have our little "girl" home. This is a big Amore miracle!

Thank you all for your loving words and prayers. More Later!

Poisoned Again

Last week you could read about Tjojs being sick. We had to go to the veterinarian clinic for treatment and later give her an IV at home. What I didn't write was that one week later Clyde got the same symptoms as Tjojs and another round to the veterinarian clinic for Clyde's treatment. In my mind I couldn't understand how my dogs that are otherwise so healthy started to get sicker and sicker. They where kept more isolated from other dogs than before, no play friends. And de-wormed and front line regularly. Same food as always, I couldn't understand what was happening!

Outside our house is a small area of dirt and high grass that ever since we came here, we let out the "kids" once a day so they can run off some energy. Sometimes, our neighbors had their dogs out also, so little new "business cards" to read by our dogs. This area is slightly downhill from the street where trash piles up.

Recently, suddenly, two of our dogs became ill, with internal bleeding. My intuition told me it could be rat poison. With all the garbage here it didn't feel like a wrong thought at all. I talked to a veterinarian who said it was very rare that they would put out poison, but my husband commented that there was a noticeable lack of rats considering the abundance of trash at the moment.

One evening my landlord came by and in poor Italian I asked if he had put out any poison. Oh yes he had, but the doctor told him it was not harmful for children or dogs. --Eh, mammals-- we all have stomachs and of course it is about the volume of poison. Even if our dogs don't go snooping around the trash, rain run-off from the trash could come down into the grassy area, and end up in the grass. The same grass that Tjojs and Clyde will eat when their stomach isn't quite right.

I asked for the name and froze when I got the label in my hand...Facorat/Brodifacoum a very strong rat poison that can kill not only rats, but possums, fish and even humans. When rats eat it, it causes a long and painful death. When the rats who have eaten it are urinating they are even letting out poison in grass--where some dogs chew.

Internal bleeding, painful and long death. I do wonder how many stray dogs have gotten this poison into their system, and are right now laying somewhere waiting and waiting to be relieved from their suffering. And how many stray cats have caught and eaten a dying rat... and are now poisoned themselves?

Wouldn't it be better if they just collected the trash like every other civilized country?

This is painful Amore

Donation through AWL to Villa Felice

This remarkable woman is Sabine von Vultejus and she is from Germany. What makes her so remarkable is that she is a very determined lady--a big dog lover too--

Yesterday when visiting Shiloh at the ER animal clinic Villa Felice, it was burning hot. Hot for the crew to work with the animals, and especially for the animals in the recovery room. It was up to 35C .

During the night in my own bed with windows open and a fan on at the highest speed, I couldn't stop thinking of the poor animals that were trying to recover in this heat and also"wearing" fur.

0600 in the morning I sent out some emergency notes via SMS: "Help I need a fan." An hour later I got one reply "When do you need them ,I have two you can borrow."

At 10.00 she was at my house one her way to carry them in and I said "No, it is not for me," and so I told her the story. She looked at me,"What are we waiting for? Lets donate them!"

It was wonderful to roll them in to the veterinarian clinic and the staff, hook them up and the wind was wonderful for the animals laying there trying to recover. I made them promise that the fans would stay for the animals in recovery... not for the staff. They heartily agreed. Believe me, I'll be checking :)

Sabine, your heart is a big Amore, thank you!

Animal Hospital with Compassion

Villa Felice, the ER animal hospital here in Arco Felice are doing a lot of work helping the animals 24/7.

This fantastic strong minded dog on the picture above, survived after being severely burned. the poor dear even lost her ears to this cruelty. This happened in February. Hopefully, her new family will pick her up any day now, and be able to love her as she deserves to be loved! What a will to live!

When I walk into any animal hospital in the world--and I have visited many-- I look for compassion in the workers towards the animals --that they are having as patients-- but also for the owners. It is a critical emotional moment for the owners when something is happening to their dear ones--for many it is their "kid". The compassion in the people at any of these facilities is really more important than the physical facility, and can make up for some shortcomings in equipment.

The late evening when Shiloh got hit by a car I called in to the ER animal hospital. I told the man in the other line that my husband was on his way in with our hurt dog. I was upset and stuttered and in a thin voice I contiuned, "He doesn't have his wallet with him and I am alone in the house with two small children."

The man was calm on the other side of the phone, "Don't you worry about that."

I knew then that he had compassion for the animal that would soon "walk" through his door... if he had compassion for a faceless lady on the other end of the phone!

This is good compassion Amore!

Shiloh with Room-mate at ER

You can see Shiloh in the cage, and the burned dog checking her out.

Shiloh is still in critical condition. 24 more hours and maybe we will have a clearer idea of the damage she sustained... bite our nails. It is a torture to watch her, waiting and hoping and you feel like you can do nothing. Every time the phone rings I jump out of fear for bad news.
What is happening?

This afternoon I took the children and visited her. She looked at us when we entered the room but it was like she looked right through us. She responded to noise but nothing like recognising us, no whimpering like the other sick dogs did when they saw us. No wagging tail. Nothing!
I feel like she is not going to be herself anymore, but I pray to God that I am so wrong.

They took her out to see if she could stand up, but she just fell on her head not able to support her left shoulder. Again, no sound at all just like a zombie. I started to cry.

Tomorrow afternoon they are going to x-ray her again.

Please think of her and send Amore!

The picture shows one of her roommates. The dog doesn't have any ears, no fur just pink new skin with a huge bruise on her side. I couldn't help asking what had happened to her, she reminded me strongly of Capri, our (new)dog. The nurse told me that this dog had been there since February, some children had put her on fire!

Amore mi!

Pray for Shiloh

Please pray for our dog Shiloh. She is at the Emergency Clinic! Shiloh got hit by a car and is severely hurt.....

A nightmare is happening (again), let me wake up.

UPDATE: Shiloh made it alive to the emergency clinic, and they were able to stabilize her. They stopped the bleeding, and x-rays were inconclusive as to any damage. There was no obvious fractures or breaks in her bones!

It looks like she took the hit directly on her "forehead", which actually is probably the best place on the head to get hit... most solid bone. She and Todd were almost home from a walk last night, when she slipped out of her collar and ran into the path of the only car on the road at the time! Todd reports it was a horrible sight to see her skidding along the pavement after the impact... right to the edge of the trash pile! Then to have the growing pool of blood around her head... ugh.

This morning, at the emergency clinic, her eyes were open, and she seemed to be somewhat responsive, although she didn't wag her tail for Todd. The Vets say that the next 36 hours are critical for determining how much damage was caused by the head trauma. But, at least she is alive and resting... we and she have a chance!

Thank you for your prayer Amore!

Animal Shelters Lack

Lack off money, publicity, volunteers, and food are what many animal shelters suffers from. Lately, I have read in numerous newspapers from the United States about many shelters that are having a difficult time adopting out their dogs. Only 100 dogs or even less a year. Why?

Some said it is because the price of gas and food have gone up, and people are now thinking twice about bringing in one more mouth to feed. --Ok, those who don't think twice, adopt a dog and only then realize how expensive it has became for them. Either they throw the poor dogs out on the street again or back to the shelter--.



Publicity is sometimes hard to get if you are dealing with animals. When journalists wanted to make an interview with me and my work --as an animal psychologist-- they had to write about my foundation, Animals without Limits (back then I was helping organizations in Bosnia.)

I remember one airline that wanted to write about me for their magazine (you know, those magazines you leaf through several times during your flight, because it is about all you have while trapped in your seat on the plane.) But they didn't want to write about the foundation; "We want happy travelers!" they said.

Or oblivious ones, I guess.

Since dogs have the same capacity to feel, think, remember, hunt, hurt, nurse, heal, and work, how can we then feel justified in euthanizing so many of them when they become "inconvenient"?

If the animals are healthy how can we allow this to happen?

Let us give the airline magazine and other magazines a happy ending for the readers.


Animals without Limits thanks Ylva Mercer (yes we have the same last name but no relation) and her husband for their generous donation. And Ingrid Kindahl who did a fantastic job translating the English press release into Swedish. They answered the call to help, will you? Please help, with donations so we can give the dogs (and cats) what we really owe them ... a helping hand!

You are great Amore help!

Whales Die of Heartbreak

Interesting article today about; hunted, rammed poisoned, whales may die from heartbreak too.


For me this is not a question of "may", in my opinion they can and do!. The whales are living, feeling, nursing mammals that form "families" and have many of the same organs as us. They display many similar emotions as we humans. If we would be hunted, rammed or poisoned (or family members would be) that would stress our heart, too. If we do scientific research on animals and then apply the results for human ailments and conditions, why would we think the results would be so different in the area of "feelings"? My guess is that we don't like to put the same emotions on animals as we humans have, since then it would be harder to eat something or wear something that we could relate to on that level.

Many months ago, I posted a link to a disturbing video of dogs being skinned alive for their coats. It is impossible to watch that video and not feel the anguish and pain the dogs are going through. This is not an isolated case... all animals have feelings and emotions, many very similar to our own.


Of course the whales have other enemies, like the fishnet, pollution and change in the environment, and from what I have been told, sonar and depth charges.


When I was I child taking a bath I could lay with my head under the water and fart!! I was amazed how loud the noise would be under water.

Think of a depth charge (underwater bomb)! The sound from an explosive training in water. How loud that would turn out to be. Sonar is sound waves echoing through the water... if small sounds resonate for long distances like that, imagine the impact from an explosion, even many miles away!


I was told that an autopsy made on stranded whales showed that the whales had broken eardrums.

While swimming, the hypothesis goes, an explosion nearby broke the whales' eardrums, and they lost their natural sonar capacity, and in general confusion, lost their orientation. That is one theory why some whales have run themselves aground and been stranded.


This is painful Amore!

Deadly Leishmaniasis Again

A man asked me if I knew someone who would like to adopt a Rottweiler that he and his wife had found standing in a big trash pile, eating garbage. They took her to an Italian veterinarian who did some examinations for 110 Euro, and now the couple was keeping the dog on their balcony (apartment) until they can find a home for her. He told me she was so sweet and he would keep her but they already had a big Rottweiler and with them living in an apartment it wouldn't work out very well.

She didn't have a collar, no microchip and she was very, very skinny! Could I help?



I asked if they got any medicine because I knew she would be full of worms? And did they draw blood to see if she was infected, maybe by the terrible virus Leishmania?



Nothing!



I gave him the phone number and address to Lega Pro Animale and told him that it would cost him less to go there and they would do a very thourough examination, but they would not be able to leave the dog there indefinetely. If we couldn't find a home the female dog would get de-wormed, vaccinated, spayed ... but put back were she was found.



I know it can sound hard but what would the other options be? Put her down?! Return her to the streets untreated and un-spayed?! That doesn't solve any problem, there are thousands strays roaming around having puppies who have puppies... ad nauseum.



This man went out there (to Lega Pro Animale) with the Rottweiler and had her checked with a blood test, and bittersweet result... yes the dog had Leishamaniasis and had to be put down.



This man didn't use our account Animals without Limits--I had told AWL could pay half--he paid the whole bill out of his own pocket.

Hopefully, his largess and big heart doesn't come back to bite him further... he introduced this dog into his apartment with his other dog, who could now be at risk as well from the Leishmaniasis disease. Even with a big heart (and available money) to help the animals... we still have to be careful!

This man has a big helping Amore heart! Thank you!

Iceland Writes Back About Their Whale Policy

I got an e mail today from Mr. Stefan Asmundsson and Sigurbjorg Oladottir from Commissioner of Whaling (Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture) they hope I will understand more about their policy.

"Thank you for your correspondence concerning Iceland's policy on whaling.I
wish to assure you that Iceland has no intention of catching any of the endangered species of whales, killed on a large scale by other whaling nations in the past. Iceland's resumption of sustainable whaling only involves abundant stocks and is linked to Iceland's overall policy of sustainable utilisation of marine resources. Several countries catch whales, most of them on a much bigger scale than Iceland. The biggest whaling countries among the members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) are the United States, Russia, Norway, Japan and Greenland. The whaling operations practiced by all those countries, as well as Iceland, are sustainable and legal and in accordance with the rules of the IWC. Iceland fully appreciates the need for careful conservation of marine resources. Our economy depends on those resources as marine products constitute around 60% of Iceland's revenue from exported goods and almost 40% of all Icelandic exported goods and services. Disruption of the ecological balance in Icelandic waters due to overfishing or other reasons could have catastrophic consequences for the livelihood of Icelanders. As you may know, Iceland was among the first countries in the world to extend its fishery limits to 200 nautical miles in the year 1975, in order to put an end to the uncontrolled fishing around Iceland by trawlers from other countries. Since then Iceland has taken great care in maintaining balanced and sustainable fishing in Icelandic waters by enforcing an effective management system for various fish species including cod, herring and capelin. Iceland takes pride in its pioneering work
in this field, which has been emulated by many countries in the world wishing to
avoid unsustainable practices. The annual catch quotas for fishing and whaling
are based on recommendations by scientists, who regularly monitor the status of
the stocks, thus ensuring that the activity is sustainable.For a number of years, Iceland has acknowledged the need for scientific research on whales to
gain a better understanding of the interaction between the different whale
stocks and other marine species and the role of whales in the marine ecosystem.
Therefore, Iceland began implementing a research plan on minke whales in 2003.
So far, 161 minke whales have been taken and we look forward to the completion
of the research plan in 2007 when the sample size of 200 minke whales has been
obtained. Whaling quotas will take into account the number of whales that are
taken in the implementation of the research plan, ensuring that the total number
remains well below sustainable levels.There are many different whale species and
stocks in the world's oceans. Some are in a poor state and in need of protection. However, many whale populations are far from being threatened or endangered. The total stock size of Central North-Atlantic minke whales, for example, is close to 70,000 animals. Of those, around 43,600 live in Icelandic coastal waters. Fin whales in the Central North Atlantic number around 25,800 animals. Both estimates have been agreed by consensus by the Scientific Committees of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the North-Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission (NAMMCO).

Iceland's decision to resume sustainable whaling involves takes of 30 minke whales and nine fin whales, during the current fishing year which ends on 31 August 2007. This will bring the total catches of minke whales in Icelandic waters during this fishing year to 69, including the minke whales taken in completing the research plan. These takes equal less than 0.2% of the number of minke whales in Icelandic coastal waters, an even smaller fraction of the total stock, and less than 0.04% of fin whales
in the Central North Atlantic. Both are considered to be close to pre-exploitation levels and estimated sustainable annual catch levels are 200 and 400 fin and minke whales respectively. As the catch limits now issued are much lower, the catches will not have a significant impact on whale stocks. A responsible management system will ensure that the catch quotas set will not be exceeded. The catches are clearly sustainable and therefore consistent with the principle of sustainable development.Iceland's resumption of sustainable whaling is legal under international law. At the time of the re-entry of Iceland into the IWC, Iceland made a reservation with respect to the so-called moratorium on commercial whaling. As a part of that reservation, Iceland committed itself not to authorise commercial whaling before 2006 and thereafter not to authorise such whaling while progress was being made in negotiating the IWC's Revised Management Scheme (RMS), a management framework for commercial whaling. At the IWC's Annual Meeting in 2005, Iceland went on record expressing its regret that no progress was being made in the RMS discussions. At this year's IWC Annual Meeting, Iceland's judgement of the situation was reconfirmed as the IWC generally agreed that talks on an RMS had reached an impasse. As a result, Iceland's reservation has taken effect. Therefore, Iceland is no longer bound by the so-called moratorium on commercial whaling. In this respect, Iceland is in the same position as other IWC members that are not bound by the
moratorium. Iceland was one of the first countries in the world to realize the
importance of a conservation approach to whaling. As signs of overexploitation
of whales emerged early in the last century, Iceland declared a ban on whaling
for large whales around Iceland in 1915. Whaling was not resumed until 1948,
except for limited catches 1935-1939. Strict rules and limitations were applied
to whaling in Iceland from 1948 to 1985 when all commercial whaling was halted
again following a decision by the IWC. Iceland has been a leading advocate for
international cooperation in ensuring sustainable use of living marine resources, including whales. This has been the position taken by Iceland within the IWC, based on the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling from 1946. The stated role of the IWC, according to its founding Convention, is to "provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible he orderly development of the whaling industry". I hope that this information will be useful to you in understanding Iceland's position on sustainable whaling. You may rest assured, that the desire to ensure the conservation of the whale stocks around Iceland and elsewhere is fully shared by the Icelandic Government.

Yours sincerely Stefán ÁsmundssonCommissioner of Whaling"

Its all about numbers! Do I smell a bad fish Amore?

Slaughter Whales

I get a lot of newsletters from different whale organizations. I dislike reading them because they are not very cheerful! I get scared reading the numbers of killed whales. For what purpose?

20 000 whales have been slaughtered by Japanese whalers since commercial whaling was banned in 1986. Recently they killed a further 551.

Norway and Iceland wants to kill 1052 minke whales (Norway) 40 (Iceland) That's a big surprise since I know there is not a big market in these countries for whale meat. But I did some research and read that Iceland has recently exported 60 tons of whale meat, and Norway another 5 tonnes of whale meat... to (surprise) Japan!!!!

Whales are intelligent, sentient mammals, and they deserve and need our protection.

I remember a story that I've been told about when "grandma" whale is getting old ,her "grandchild" is swimming under her and lifts her up to the surface so she can breath. Is that the sort of being we should be slaughtering for a mere delicacy?

When one family member is hit by a harpoon, the scream from the whale is horrible, heartbreaking ... it makes your blood freeze in your veins. It takes a long painful time for the whale to die, and many times during that agonizingly long time, the family is not far away, all the while having a hard time leaving their relative. The stress and suffering is tremendous. Imagine if this was the end of a loved one of yours, and you were within earshot...

This is cruel, not even close to any Amore at all!

WDCS Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society http://www.wdcs.org/

Picture source: Greenpeace, via Melbourne Indymedia, http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/

Supporting Animal Workers

Today I got a very touching e mail from Bella, a blog reader together with a donation for the Animals without Limits. It touched my heart when she wrote and I quote;

"I love to read your blog, it is the best blog in the word. I have been a little shy to make a comment but I think of you and your family. Especially now, when Ranger passed away, it must have been very difficult. And now new family members, it can't be easy, but wow what joy animals are giving us! I have read all your books and your blog! I am checking it out nearly every day, exited to see what you have been writing. I was without a computer for 2 months and I missed to read your stories. I want to do more for the animals but don't know how? I wish I could be more like you, to really change things for the animals. I have now decided to donate to your foundation every month"

Bella, I know your feeling and I think whatever you do for the animals you never feel that you are doing enough. I am myself struggling with that thought many times..."What more can I do? Why don't I see better and faster results?"

Another e mail today from a great animal worker Siw Agren shared somewhat the same feelings,

"I have worked forty years (40) for Animals Rights now and am very politically engaged, working to have better laws for the animals and to get a law that convicts people whom are having sex involving animals. Our farm minister is not at all interested to put in a law....you get surprised!"

We are all doing something when we start with the thought,"I want to help!"

Your e mails (and comments) really motivate me to continue working for the animals, of course the donations are helping tremendously, too. Please never apologies for the amount you are donating, every dollar, Euro, dime, kronor ... are so welcomed and will be well used.

Without you I cannot do anything. That is why Animals without Limits are we, you are part of the foundation Animals without Limits.

I dis-like when I hear Animal workers from different organizations and foundations take their own credit; that "I" adopted out dogs, or "I" paid the bills, etc. As far as I'm concerned, all of you out there are the ones making it possible for "us" to do different kinds of tasks for the animals. It is not me, it is us!

That's "we" Amore!

A Heartbroken Story

What a horrible nightmare for any dog owner a heartbroken story.

Send an Amore thought to Robert Machin!

Animals at the Cemetery

Yesterday we went out to the cemetery, and as always with mixed feelings. Tears came when we went to Ranger's grave and saw the new tombstone with picture and plaque on. It made it much harder to look at with a picture there, me thinks. Now I can see why we humans don't have pictures on our graves. Gosh, we miss Ranger so much.

Good news was that the female dog (children had thrown acid on her so she had big burned scars over her body) I wanted to adopt had found a new home. It was of course with mixed feelings since I really wanted her but Trooper and Capri are our new pack members now, number four and five.

Bittersweet; a mother dog had puppies, and a cat got kittens. They are so cute, but of course, now we need more help with adoption and medicines (Animals without Limits does not do adoption but we can help with contacts). They are living under the cemetery office and are getting well taken cared of, but soon they will be big and need to find a new place. A "forever home."

Olivia was in heaven with all the kittens and mother cat. She is more interested in cats than I am, I am more a dog person. Well someone is going to work with cats!!

Getting in the car and pulled out slowly, passing an empty "junkyard", just concrete and garbage. "Stop" I yelled "Go back!"

Oh yes there were two goats and one puppy dog. The goats stood absolutely still but the puppy was jumping up and down trying to come out to us, yelping. The big iron gates were locked, and once again we could just drive away felling awful.

I have to go back and knock on some doors to find out what is going on. I always wanted a goat but I think my landlord would have a problem with that!

I need an Amore farm!

Still Going Strong

Those who have read my three books, have been able to follow my dog Tjojs' adventures, and they know what a great dog she is. I cannot take any credit for that, she is the one who taught me what do and what not to do!

She is now 12 1/2 year and has moved with me several times; around in Sweden, then to America, were I promised her this was it. "Ehhh how about some pasta, Tjojs? Italy?" And now we are here in Southern Italy.

Lately I have noticed that she is getting "old." It hurts but at the same time I am so happy that I am privileged to have her still with me, alive.

But when she becomes sick I get so worried, always afraid this is something very serious? Maybe even, the end?

She is way too old to be put in for any surgery, and she cannot stay in a kennel anymore ... that would stress her too badly.

Jumping in and out of the car are just memories now, but I gladly lift her up and down even if I can see she is embarrassed. Especially if some of the other dogs are outside watching. She doesn't want to show the pack she is getting weak, that will give her trouble in the rank position.

She started to throw up and have diarrhea the last two days. I felt that it could be out of stress with the two new "brats", even if there is not visible stress, it can many times be invisible stress in the pack. But I wanted everything to be checked out, not one minute to re-think or wait if I was right.

At the veterinarian clinic she got an IV since dogs can become dehydrated quickly, just like children. No fever, heart-beats were good; blood work good for her age. So now it is just for observation, homeopathic medicine and an IV with us home, time will tell.

She is doing much better and the veterinarian also thinks it could be stress; Ranger's death, and two new dogs to keep low in the pack's rank-- After all, she is the "alpha" queen.

After giving her an IV in the late afternoon, she seems to do better...keep your fingers crossed, please.

This is worrying Amore!

Help me Help the Animals

Helping animals is easy but paying the veterinarian bills is not so easy. It is getting harder since we don't right now have a lot of excess money (who does?), and it is a nightmare to pass sick and suffering animals since we cannot pay their bills.

Do you know how hard this is?

I have now paid vet bills out off my own pocket, 300 Euro during the last two months, for strays and injured animals I've found, and since I am a "stay at home mom" you can now realize who's pants the money is coming from--eh, I hope my husband doesn't read this--(he just did!! TM)

He is already paying for the gas when I am out on my trips; from poor areas to the veterinarian clinic with animals that need help.

I plead for help! Don't let me pass these animals that are laying helpless on the walkway or roaming around in the streets with a broken leg, virus in their brain or badly burnt by children.

I've set up a donation button to the right, and through PayPal I can now accept credit cards or (if you have a PayPal account) direct transfers. Every little bit helps, even a dollar! (Kronor, Euro, Pound, etc.)

All donations will be documented, and you can follow my assignments and projects on the blog. All the donations will go to pay the bills at the veterinarian at Lega Pro Animale, or other projects that we take on. Any expenditure (as well as a running balance of donations) will be fully reported. Our aim is to be completely transparent.

As for the veterinarian services, I assure you we are getting a real good discount!

Spay and Neuter of animals, we get 50% off of already low prices.

Drontal (a medicine) 10% off

Euthanasia 50% off (we hate to do this, but sometimes it is the only option)

Vaccinations 50% off

Boarding/Observation 20% off

I also need to buy de-worming pills and Frontline/Expots. Also blankets to cover dead dogs on the streets so I can carry them to the side, out of the way, with some final respect.

If you'd rather want to send us a package with different supplies I will be more than happy to receive it. Just email me and we can coordinate. Maybe your local veterinarian would like to sponsor. If so, we will post their logo or an endorsement on my blog and website.

Please help me help those without a voice, and to show the EVILNESS that we can beat the heck out of it with Amore, Frontline and Education!

Help me Help with Amore donations!

Yesterday a Bitter Sweet Day

I received an e mail from Cary at the Navy hospital asking if I could help them, by escorting a food donation to Centro Laila, the orphan home. Of course I wouldn't mind!


At the Navy Support Site, I met up with Cary, his wife, mother in law, and TV team and we headed out to the Center. Cary was the gentleman who had organized this food/child care item drive, collecting many boxes of food and things the orphans desperately need. I must say, the Americans and NATO personnel here are very compassionate, and gave a lot of goods for the children.


Cary rode with me in my car and on our way out to the Center, we spoke about various causes in the area, areas where children and animal are in need of help. We were nearly to Centro Laila, when suddenly I spotted a Yorkshire Terrier wobbling around in the middle of the street. Cars were just passing, not even thinking twice that they could hit this little dog, much less to stop and help him! I instinctively understood that the dog was sick since he was in the middle of the street. No healthy dog(s) would do that!


Hot weather, I thought, maybe... hopefully he was "just" dehydrated.


I hit my brakes, warning blinkers on, jumped out walking in the middle of the street ... waving my arms and gesturing to other drivers to stop! I had a jacket in the car, and I carefully laid it on the little dog, and gently lifted him into the car. No resistance or hesitation on his part, he trusted me, but also was very tired and sick. His eyes were full of yellow puss, glued together and his sight was limited at best.


He laid in the back of the SUV, drank a little water, and otherwise was gentle and good.


At Centro Leila it was wonderful to see everyone again. The children helped unload the van, and were genuinely thankful for the donations the nurses and doctors from the Navy Hospital were bringing to them.


A truly wonderful sight!


I left the orphanage, and called Dr.Friz at the Lega Pro Animale Spay & Neuter/ Veterinarian clinic. Luckily, she answered even if the office was closed, and it was her day off. I told her the story and asked if I could come in with the sickly Yorky.


The dog, still very gentle and quiet, trusted me in every move I made with him, moving him into the veterinarian clinic. I told the veterinarian team to try everything reasonable!


As it turns out, the little "Yorky" had Leishmaniasis and had to be put down to sleep. At least he did not have to suffer anymore; he avoided a painful death out there all alone, with our help.

A day of helping children in need at a loving orphanage, but with a old little Yorkshire Terrier that was likely cast out by his family to die alone because of a deadly disease endemic to this area.

A day with bitter sweet Amore!

Teething Son and Teething Dogs

Our son Max is teething, and chewing on everything, and our two new "kids".... Capri and Trooper ... are doing the same. Tables, books, magazines, toys, boots, you name it!

Yesterday I wrote that we humans shouldn't read too much about dog behavior...well our two dogs have been reading my books!! Human behavior by Dr. Phil!

And they think it is a good idea to rip out the pages too. One by one, and then kill it! Devouring the knowledge!!

Have they seen Dr. Phil's show? I know he is an animal friend..don't they also have a yellow Labrador?

Capri is so sensitive and fragile, Trooper is so "not hearing" clumsy dog, with paws still too big for his body ...such different characters and with different rules. They slept together last night on Olivia's mattress, by our bedroom door. So heart-warming to see!

It is a lot of work having two new "little ones" under foot, but at the same time so rewarding...this is rewarding Amore for us!

Sad View in Campania

(C) NFOA Naples Friends of Animals

Stray mother dogs with a low "strength" and "older" puppies that are trying to survive.

More later!

Sad Amore view!

Adoption Descriptions

The danger of "reading off" a dog can have a sad outcome for a dog(s) but also for the family. To adopt dogs you need to do a lot of personal research, not just reading books. When reading a dog's description on a website/newspaper, it is most of the time one person's perspective, and the dog has likely been observed in just one environment to form that perspective.

Apartment, house, farm, kids, other animals and how is the walking area are many ways to expose a dog, and evaluate him, and then make the description.

How many times have we tried to match a friend up with another friend's friend thinking they would be great together. And it hasn't worked! Or the opposite, and what could have been a great relationship never even had the first chance?

With animals it is the same, it is about energy and environment!

Bringing home a new dog will change from day to day as their character changes. First, they can be shy or low trying to understand where they are, and why. Later, they are starting to become brave, testing their owners, and the other dog(s). Just because you brought them home from a shelter doesn't mean they will thank you.....they are dogs!

Well our "angels" have been here in our house for three..or is it four?... days now--feels longer I am so tired more work--more love---Everything is going fine--knock on wood--the whole gang is together. Some persons were surprise that they where already together and friends. I took it easy and tried to read them before and during their first meeting. The three "older" dogs have different energies and rank, so my job was to be really good reading them so that no one would get hurt, afraid or left out.

But they are doing great and are wonderful with the children. I never leave them alone with the children, but Capri can walk up slowly and put her head on Olivia's knee, to be petted and kissed. Trooper, the 9 month goof, loves to run after Olivia --- his new playmate!

A lot of training is still to be done and more to sleep, puppy training to not pee pee on the floor.

This is zzzzz Amore!

Welcome home Trooper & Capri

Capri above, Todd & Trooper below. Copyright (c) 2008 Todd & Mia Mercer

We don't guess or think anymore that we are with dogs, now we know for sure; Two new family members will arrive today!

Papers are finally being signed--read below "Think we are with dog"--

The dog trainer Nando, and our friend Paola have put in a lot of time and phone calls, to reach the owner (former) and to have him sign over the ownership to us.

Trooper has been quarantined at Dr.Friz' clinic for eight days and is ready to come "home".

Welcome home Trooper!

Capri (born 2006) was found roaming around near the "Capo" airport (Capodichino) in 2007. And even if her cute face has been on the LegaProAnimale (Germany) adoption site, no one has picked her or expressed any interest in her. For one long year she's been waiting for a family (or person) to give her a home, friends and love.

Welcome home Capri!

Wish us good luck Amore!

Old and Blind with a Big Heart

This Pekingese was zig-zagging around on a highway here in Naples. A police car stopped the traffic and rescued this little loving dog. He had a huge tumor in his butt, and is even blind--but has a big loving heart! Someone had just dumped him on the highway, no collar of course. Probably their way of getting away from a large vet bill if they had the tumor treated.

His tumor was removed by Dr. Fritz at her clinic and he is staying there hoping to find a new loving home. He's old, but will provide love for (hopefully) several years to come to the right owner. Dr. Fritz will gladly allow the right people to adopt this little bundle of joy, for just a donation to her clinic.

Do you have a place in your heart for this Amore lion-hearted Pekingese?

Guess We are With Dog Part 1

For two days now --at Dr. Dorothea Fritz' Spay and Neuter clinic-- Todd volunteered with the German "Troops" to build new fences for the dog kennels (around 50 dogs waiting for new homes).

Long hours in the sun (29C) with hard work from eight men and one woman. (Yes, he got sun burned!)

Well my husband fell in love with one of the dogs there, and it is actually not at all hard to. All the dogs have their own story to tell, each that will touch your heart. A friend of Todd's said "We would like to have another dog too, but we don't have room." Todd looked at him and said "Malte, there is room for one more." and pointed at Malte's heart.

As soon as you get learn any dog's name, they become much more personal in your heart. When you continue asking about them, it will suddenly be harder to say "no" to two begging, loving, exiting eyes.

That is why many farmers don't name their animals. The animals would become too personal and alive! And no one would like to eat "Buster."

So, I guess we are with another dog now. That will make five when we bring them both (Trooper is at this clinic getting a clean bill of health) home.

This will soon become new double dog Amore!