Thoughts

We live in a world of cause and effect, and sometimes we cannot see it right away.

I read something nice today from Kabbalah news letter; 'Remember to learn patience in order to allow the Light to do its magic."

Good Amore thought!

Guilty Ward!

SAN FRANCISCO — A former San Francisco radio talk show host and Roman Catholic priest was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Thursday for distributing child pornography.
Bernie Ward, 57, pleaded guilty in May to one count of distributing child pornography. Prosecutors said investigators found dozens of pornographic images of children as young as 3 on Ward's home computer, including masochistic images of children bound and gagged.
"He traded in the currency of children's suffering," federal prosecutor Steve Grocki said.

Ward, a father of four known for his staunchly liberal views, hosted a nightly radio show until the station fired him when the child pornography indictment was made public in December.
A Stanislaus County woman who exchanged sexually explicit Internet messages with him called police after Ward sent her a photograph of two children engaged in a sex act.
She also provided police with transcripts of a conversation where Ward said he was aroused when his daughter walked in the bathroom while he showered, according to court documents.

"I find it extremely troubling that a parent would say the things he wrote in those messages," U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker said before sentencing him to seven years and three months.
Ward's attorney, Doron Weinberg, had argued for five years, the mandatory minimum prison sentence. He cited numerous letters of support Ward received after pleading guilty and Ward's volunteer work.
Weinberg has said Ward downloaded the child porn for journalistic research.
"It's clear that it ended in a dark place," Weinberg said. "Bernie Ward is a good man."
From Foxnews.com
A good man? He has a dark sick side, that is not Amore!

Adopting and Being Adopted

Adopting away a dog is difficult in many ways, from both sides, the dog(s) and human(s). The person that is adopting doesn't know what he is bringing into his home, and the dog(s) has no clue whom his new pack leader is, and where his place in the pack will be.

In many ways it is like adopting a child. In some cases no one knows the background/history. Some people that are adopting dogs think that as soon as the dog gets a new home he will be thankful, not chewing or eating furniture! Instant calm, instant inclusion, instant and total understanding! It should also be viewed as a "forever committment" just like when adopting a child.

Dogs don't think for a moment that they will be cast off from their family, instinct tells them that to be abandoned by the pack is because of something terrible. They don't understand things like moving, inconvienience or divorce... all human issues not animal issues.

Of course it is a lot of joy and Amore too, the animals are fantastic companions.

Support From Animal Lovers

Animals wihtout Limits are so over whelmed by the numerous people that have helped us to find a home for the dogs, Lupo and Mario. (see blog further down)

A flyer was made in German and passed around to the German population here. A group mail went out to US soldiers and their spouses with a description of the situation and pictures. Donations: thank you Brenda, Malte and Sabine.

Mallory for sponsoring with babysitting to my children so I could drive and leave the dogs at the veterinarian station. LegaProAnimale for the fantastic discount. Chris for letting the boys stay at your house for a couple of days.

Naples Friends of Animals for good advice and for putting the dogs on your adoption list.

So many wonderful people who have also learned and got useful information about these two boys. Surely a home is just around the corner with all this work and love!

Lets give them an Amore home!

Lupio Needs a Home

This is the other sweet brother, Lupio who needs a warm loving home. (see blog from the 25th)

Animals wihtout Limits received a donation from their former owner yesterday, together with an e mail comment that I really would like to comment on my blog.

More tomorrow, we are exhausted from running around, and calling people trying to find a home for these loving brothers.

As a Christian, this is Christian Amore!

Dumping Pets

Dumping pets is illegal here in Italy, and we are obligated to report if we hear or see someone who does so. To the Base Security (if it is someone subject to the US/NATO military), and to the Carabineri (Italian national police), since many International people come here for 2-3 years, bring in a puppy or an older stray into their home, feeds him, loves him and then....time to return and doesn't want to bring their friend/pack member with them.

Why? Reasons are many. From not wanting to pay any money for the transport, wooden floor in their house "back home" or they "just" didn't make any "life commitment.

I spoke to some veterinarians and organizations here, and they have found many dumped dogs with American microchips, but no owner to find, they don't live at their Italian address anymore.
The Carabineri pick up dogs that are not behaving like "normal" strays. The Carabineri can spot that the dog isn't street smart or survival "educated". They won't survive many hours by themselves.

Some Italians are disappointed that many Americans complain over the situation with the stray problem here, but are helping to contribute with the stray population by dumping their "pet" the day before going home.

This is a frustration painful Amore!

You Don't Always Need a Gun

You don't always need a gun to scare off intruders.

This was an Amore protective dog.

Leaving Dogs!

The days have just gone by so quickly (sorry for not writing as I should) and Animals without Limits was handed a problem that is still unsolved. Last Thursday, late evening, I received a SMS about an American family that would move Saturday and had two dogs that they would let out on the street and just leave.

"Unhappy" at this news would be an understatement!

Animals without Limits does not and cannot work directly with adoptions; we help others that are in the adoption effort.

But, because of the immediate nature of the problem, and the fact that we knew some of the intermediaries, we became involved. We simply couldn't have slept at night knowing we turned down attempting to help the dogs! (Note: we are helping the dogs, not the people.)

The situation:

These two brothers (Mario picture above) had lived their whole life (2 years) with this family with three children. They may have been born "stray" and unwanted, but as soon as they were adopted and raised with a human "pack", their instinct and intuition degraded. By now, it is long time gone. The former owner said; "They never leave our garden even if the gate is open."

We came to know of this situation through an intermediary. The "mother" lady was in the same book club as my friend and that is how we got to know, my friend was so upset and so where some of the other members.

What could AWL do?

Even if the Italian law says that you are not allowed to throw out your pet on the street, it doesn't seem to help. Putting a healthy animal to sleep is forbidden here too, and they had tried to do just that but the veterinarian refused.

The family said they had tried everything, with flyer's, church and organization but nothing.

What could AWL do?

Animals without Limits went over to the Reverend and his wife where the two dogs were Thursday-Friday. I wanted to meet the "former" owners! It was a loaded atmosphere from both sides. The dogs where not spayed, not up to date on their vaccination, no microchip and that would take a big chunk out of the foundation's bank account. I said AWL could take care of the dogs if they could help out with a donation to cover the cost of spaying and vacinating them?

It was not a happy face but the husband promised to donate. Still AWL are waiting!

Today there are Internet computers everywhere so to use his Paypal account to transfer to our our Paypal account shouldn't be so difficult, or take a long time.

We are waiting for the Christian Amore!

Follow up Max Pit bull

(follow up from Sunday 17th and Tuesday 19th August)

Heard from Wendy, the English lady that feeds Max in their Parco, that Max the Pit bull is doing so much better. Animals without Limits (AWL) provides his medicine (arthritis), and according to Wendy he is (Max) playing and eating much better than before.

This is good job Amore Max!

MRKI Brown Bear

(Follow up from last Friday 15th)

The last time I saw Mrki was 2002. It was with a heavy heart that I left him and Sarajevo. For the first time in my life I was a "chicken," I didn't go and tell him good bye. I felt like a failure, someone who had turned down a friend.

We had become close, he and I. I could sit by the cage, scratch his ears, or he layed with his big head on his frontlegs but close to the bars, and me. Only one time did he become he angry! I had gone home to Sweden to work and returned one month later, but I didn't go and visit him right away. When I finally arrived he was quiet and when I was close to him his big paw reached out and tore my trousers. My translator and I were surprised! But a few minutes later he was snuggling with my hands (don't ever try this at home).

Six years later and with a knot in my stomach I returned, with the same translator, husband and children. He had gotten a new cage, a bunker was working as the house. A high fence, so no one could reach him, and he could return into privacy. Some small (but much bigger than anything he had before) area to stretch his legs, wrestle with a tree-trunk or even dip in some water, likewise fenced in so nobody could poke him as they did before.

Mrki and his "wife" in the new Brown Bear enclosure at the Sarajevo Zoo. Photo Copyright (c) 2008, Todd A. Mercer

I was so happy even if I wanted to touch his ears again. I looked inside through the bar window on the backside of his "home". When my eyes got used to the dark I could spot MRKI. I yelled out his name! He looked up, his nose started to sniff my scent, fast and intensive. Suddenly he stood up on his back legs and he started to dance...the same dance he had done every time I came and he heard my voice. I cried so hard of happiness and from missing him so badly that my husband put his hand on my back. He took the children and walked away so Mrki and I could have our moment together, by ourselves like old times.

This was the most painful Amore in my life. But MRKI got his own Amore now, his own wife.

Max Got His Help

Last Sunday, I wrote on this blog about the dog Max that Animals without Limits would help him with his pain. Today I went out to Lega Pro Animale and AWL bought medicine.

Keep your fingers crossed for Max that his medication will help him have a less stiff life.

Because your Amore donation, Max can now have sweet Amore dreams!

Thank You from AWL

Animals Without Limits wants to thank a wonderful nurse who donated stethoscope to the Foundation (AWL)
Now we don't have to get our nose bitten when we are checking if the dog is alive!

This is heartbeat Amore!

AWL Meets Max

Today Animals without Limits met Pit bull Max, a super sweet Pit bull that has lived as a "stray" for nine years since his former American owner dumped him. This is not an unusual case, many international people come here, stay for three years adopts a stray (or a puppy) then when it is time to go back home, they dump the dog. If asked why, they will likely say "that the dog had a good home being fed for three years 'he' should be happy!"

Max has had lucky neighbors in "his" Parco who let him stay there. Now an English lady is feeding him and he has his little doghouse to sleep in. Unfortunately, she is leaving next April and English law doesn't allow her to import a Pitt bull (or else she would in a heartbeat).

Max has arthritis and needs medical help. Animals without Limits (AWL) has decided to step in and help with the medical bill. We will bring him in to a veterinarian (together with his feeder since he knows her), have him checked and then get him medicine so he can live his last years without any pain and uncomfortable sleep. You know how it can be to get out of bed with stiff legs!

Max you have been proving your great Amore for the people of your parco for a long time, let us give you pain-free Amore for awhile!

Sarajevo Trip

picture Copyright (c) 2001, Mia Mattsson-Mercer

After six years I returned to Sarajevo (BiH) bringing my own family with me to show them "my Bosnian family" who took great care of me for many wonderful ways during my stay there between 2000-2002. It was a fantastic trip in many ways! My wonderful family that had always believed in me and coached me, welcomed my own family with loving, open arms.

Sarajevo had changed so much! And that's for the better. A very positive atmosphere was in the air, beautiful cafe's and restaurants (the food has always been great). Clean and green, and people walked in fashionable clothing, colorful buildings. Nature so incredably beautiful.

Coming back to where we live in Campania was much like the shock we experienced when we first got here a year ago. Trash and rude drivers, and strays made this area look like Bosnia circa 2000. (I love the people here --- it is the surroundings that bother me). The politicians and residents of Campania should be ashamed! Bosnia went through a devistating civil war, after generations of Socialist rule but have taken charge and are taking care of their cities and environment.

Back in 2000-02, while living in Bosnia, I found out about the horrible situation that Sarajevo Zoo had had during the war and after. The brown bear, Mrki was stuck in a horrible situation. In a small cage with concrete floor, it looked like a cage from the Crusades in the Middle East!

His world was a small 4 x 4 meter cage with rats as his companions, and people tormenting him by poking him through the cage door.

Sometimes some young people could be stupid and throw in firecrackers into his cage. They loved to see him dance, or like one man whom poked his umbrella stick in Mrki's nose.

Mrki and I had became wonderful friends. I could scratch his ears, and he always danced when I arrived together with my translator.

Animals without Limits (AWL) wanted to help, but failed after a charity event in Germany for Mrki's new home, the lawyer and his friends took the money and disappeared.

I also contacted other organizations in the world asking for help, they said they would look into it. I never heard anything back.

Some people in Sweden said, "shoot the bear!"

I couldn't handle that we had failed. It was a devastating feeling saying good-bye to my friend, and leaving him to go back to Sweden. I became depressed. AWL took a pause!

This time, back in Sarajevo, with a hard knot in my stomach I asked about the Zoo, "Was it still open?"

I didn't want to see Mrki, afraid that all the sad memories would return. I felt ashamed and sad!

And, would he recognize me after all these years? So many questions.

These are the Amore bear questions!

More to follow

Children and Animals

It makes no sense how anyone can harm children and animals. Let us send them our thoughts, donation, and hope. Please read the article and look at the pictures, send the rescuer your Amore!

"How can we see the future, if we close our eyes"
Angel

Dog Sitter

Being a dog sitter in our house with five big dogs cannot be easy. Especially when two dogs are new, one of which is a former shelter dog for over one year, the other one was "behind bars" for a couple of months because of digging up former owners yard.

Mallory, a sweet young woman who owns a cat, was tested several times a day. We had told her that "just" two dogs slept in the bed, no one else. These two dogs sleep on my husband's side, I dislike dogs in the bed. When returning from the trip Mal, looked pail and tired --- then she burst out; "Two dogs in the bed, no way, all five wanted to sleep with me!"

One night "someone" had peed on her while sleeping. When she opened the bedroom door in the morning, "someone" had left a present, a brown smelly one.

Capri ate lizards in front of Mall, and Trooper (the one behind bars for landscaping) thought we needed a fountain. He dug up the pipes and then admired the big water going up in the air. Well, our landlord that is vaguely found of dogs wasn't too happy (and didn't return Mall's phone calls)!

We have no idea which of the others tried to "discipline" Trooper, but he has the gouge on his forehead to prove someone was tired of his antics!

I think our dogs did the testing Nanny Amore!

At a Rest Stop

On our way home we took off to have breakfast at one of the "road restaurants"... at a Service Plaza. Packed, with people and already hot outside, up to 30C. Althought it was morning, it was getting hotter by the minute. We of course were traveling without our four-legged kids, but we realized that had we had them with us, we would have to take these breaks much differently.

Leaving your dog in the car can have a deadly outcome, since the temperature inside the car rise so fast. A dog can sweat up to a certain degree but it is still a point lower than we humans, they react to heat the same way as us.

Outside this particular rest stop, a "hostel" for dogs and cats had been put up. Under a big umbrella were the cages. Colourful and nice. It is in service from June to September!

My hat is off for the person(s) who put up these rest cages for Fuffo or Maui, this is wonderful Amore thinking!

Project Vacation

I am going away with my family on a "project vacation", that's how I call it when I mix work and hopefully a little relaxation.

The computer is staying home, I am not risking it to be stolen so I don't know how often I can update my blog now for about one week.


I'll see you in between, and if not, next week.


Don't forget to think of the thirsty animals, and the people who are working non stop to make change on this earth. That is working-together Amore.

Donation to AWL

The Foundation wants to thank veterinarian Inga Marie, and her husband Marc for their donation to Animals without Limits.

From our heart we thank you, Amore!

Turkey Stray and Suffering

Read this information and please take a moment to think and feel, then take an action and write to tell the Governor in Turkey that you do not accept this treatment of the strays.

Your voice can make a difference. You will never walk alone.

Walking Amore, together for the strays in Turkey.

Animals without Limits Update

Animals without Limits will hopefully soon have its own web site. We bought the domain and hope to find a web-designer that can help us create a fresh new AWL homepage. Shortly, AWL will also have its own blog to update news and projects and donations.


Food donations are coming in. Some persons buy a bag of dog/cat food every time they go and food shop. At some stores there are dog food that are 50% off. I bought two bags yesterday.


We got three bags of blankets from Naples Friends of Animals. Fantastic! Thank you so much to Genni (President), and her husband, Jason for taking your time and driving them over to our house. Genni and Jason are busy and doing wonderful things for the NFOA organization, together with "some" volunteers. And, they still have time to think and help the AWL. That is big!


The number of road killed animals are "low" this season (July/August) because of the high heat. The dogs roams around at 0400 in the morning, and the number of cars are very few by that time. It probably doesn't hurt that in August, all of Italy seems to go on vacation... so perhaps less traffic as well. There sure is less traffic in front of our house, thank goodness.

But the number of dogs suffering from de-hydration and strokes are getting higher, and the dogs become an easier target from some peoples' cruelty.


Please put a bowl of fresh water outside, a little further away from your house so they can drink.

That will bring Amore to thirsty Amore