Thursday, December 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR


I want to wish you all a Happy New Year and at the same time thank you all for your support to AWL --and to me. Your donations, kind words and hard work have made a huge different for the strays here in Campania.
2010 will be a big change for AWL, I hope you want to follow us on the big adventure that lays ahead.
A big Amore hug from me and Scooby!

Monday, December 28, 2009

FROM OUR HEARTS, THANK YOU




  • We thank Zina Lynch in Kansas for the fantastic care package we received from you. 60 collars!!, a crate, a bed and two drinking bowls. You are, as always, a wonderful supporter!

  • Ann Wiremalm with family in North Carolina.

  • Bella Appelblom with family from Sweden.

  • The British Spouses in Naples, Italy who donated generously from their proceeds at the International Bazaar.

  • Trina in Italy, your coupons for cheaper dog food, fantastic idea!

  • Katie and Milla from Himmelska Hundar in Sweden who have started the Swedish AWL Chapter.

  • Bosse Lindberg for making a great looking AWL brochure, and with assistance from Ulla Linder.






We are in big need of a microchip reader and a stretcher. Do you know anyone who can help us with these needs, please?

Sunday, December 27, 2009

ANGELS IN DIFFERENT SHAPES

Our little rescue puppy that Foster-mom Brandy is taking care of very well. Coco has a problem with her stools: loose. In the last blog entry about Coco, you could read that Jackie took her to the vet and got Coco vaccinated, changed diet etc. This morning I got an email from Brandy saying that the stools were loose and now she could see some blood. She wondered if it could be worms? I saw when Coco got de wormed and I also thought that she had been de wormed a second time. I said I couldn't believe that but please get to the ER quick. Wonderful Brandy did! ER said it was worms and didn't charge! They needed a stool sample tomorrow.

Brandy, wonderful foster-mom--and the ER vet at Villa Felice--thank you two fantastic people.

I got an e mail from a woman named Laura who told me that the store sold out a lot of dog things for 50 cent. At the same moment my husband was at the store so I called him and told him the great news. He bought several bags of shampoo, brushes, etc (this is only from one bag)

Thank you so much for that e mail--you helped AWL save a lot of money!


You remember Mario that lived around the gas station and loved his coffee-bar woman that he always escorted home after her shift. This gas station is out in the middle of no-where, and next to the highway. Jackie and I went there and picked Mario up and took him to LegaProAnimale for castration. The coffee lady didn't want him to get adopted away since she loved him so dearly, and he loved his gas station. We all love Mario, such a friendly and sweet boy.

At the vet clinic we got to know he has a microchip! I found out what dog catcher area he was registered in and Isabelle called. There is an owner who has sent in a missing dog paper!

The interesting part is that there was no phone number, only an address. Of course this is happening in the holiday season when the clinic is being closed a couple of days....poor Mario is in limbo, in a kennel waiting. Tomorrow hopefully we can find out who is his owner and do they want him back??



Friday, December 25, 2009

CHRISTMAS IN MATTSSON-MERCER CASA

This is Trey and Ammo, our wonderful family in Michigan.

My two Angels are, and have been very sick since a couple of days ago. Yesterday, and today they have really been sick. That's why I haven't been on my computer wishing you all wonderful friends and family and AWL fans, a Merry Christmas.

I have been so worried for my children's health and felt so helpless, I know that's how most moms feel but it is a horrible feeling. You just want to take away their pain.

We had two go twice to the hospital..short sleepless nights but it seems like they are getting much better this afternoon. Thank God.

Thank you everybody for your support, your love for the animals, and to AWL.

Love and Holiday light to you all from us.



Wednesday, December 23, 2009

COCO WITH FOSTER FAMILY ARE WISHING YOU MERRY CHRISTMAS

Miss Coco is not hanging in the tree!
Remember Coco that was found in a box 5 weeks old outside the shelter. One volunteer rescued her from cold nights on concrete floor and the little one had bad diarrhea. She is in a warm foster home together with a cat and one dog. Coco is doing great!
Yesterday she got her first vaccination.
Coco want to thank you for your donations so she can visit the vet and also get her vaccinations!
AWL Jackie and Brandy, thank you for your Angel hearts!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

HAPPY ANIMAL~HOLIDAY

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM BAMBI AND FAMILY

This is Bella Appelblom! She is a warmhearted beautiful person that has been following AWL since we started last year. She writes comments, she donates and she came to Stockholm when I held a lecture. Olivia who is very sensitive and can feel in people very well loved Bella from the first moment. That's why she is crying on the picture! We are saying good bye to Bella!
This is Richard and Bambi, these two are Bella's everything. Richard is a great with the camera so enjoy all the wonderful fantastic pictures I received this morning together with a Merry Christmas letter. My morning couldn't have started better.

High five!


Bella together with Svarten and Bruno. --Gosh I wish I was there--



Look at the Mother Nature, a perfect dog in a perfect life. That's Amore.


Peekeebooo.

Bambi, Richard, Bella...AWL wish you a very merry Christmas. We love you all!
Pictures (c) Richard 2009



Monday, December 21, 2009

MARIO GETTING SPAYED?

Mario is a wonderful stray that takes care off the gas station and coffee bar lady. He walks her home after her hours and then returns to "where ever" he sleeps.
He also looked after Benjamin, Lucy and Abby. The same gas station. AWL decided that we would spay him (and then return him) and today Jackie and I picked him up. We felt bad since we think he has never been in a car, never a leach and being lifted and put into a car...to a clinic....not knowing what's happening!

It was hectic today at LegaPro but it is very interesting watching animals and their owner(s)

Dr Lorenzo checked Mario and Mario was such a good boy. I am amazed how they trust us. But to our surprise there was a microchip! The owner has to be found they cannot spay him before that. The coffee lady told us he's been keeping her company for 5 years....

Well, Mario is still at the clinic and we are waiting by the phone...what will that number tell us?

Sunday, December 20, 2009

ABBY TOOTH AND VIDEO

will be posted as soon as the power doesn't go off every 10 minutes in my house.

At the same quick time we thank all 36 people that sent in their guesses. This time we didn't have a winner. More contests will come up so the t shirt and another price is for you next time. Amore!

Friday, December 18, 2009

AWL CONTEST AND HERE IS THE ANSWER

HERE CANINE TOOTH HAD GONE RIGHT UP HER NOSE AFTER PROBABLY BEING HIT BY A CAR. THE GUMS HAD HEALED. SO HER CANINE TOOTH WITH ROT WAS STUCK LIKE A KNIFE THROUGH HER INSIDE NOSE.
TOMORROW I WILL POST A PICTURE OF THE WHOLE TOOTH AND A X RAYS. TWO FANTASTIC VETERINARIANS DID THE 2 HOURS WORK TO GET THE LONG TOOTH OUT FROM HER LITTLE NOSE. (PICTURE AND NAMES IN NEXT POSTING)


Win an AWL t-shirt!
The Mystery why Abby was sneezing a lot and with little blood coming out is now being solved.

What object caused her sneezing?

Send a very specific detailed answer, and the beautiful AWL t-shirt can be yours.


This Friday we will post the winner, and the whole story about Abby's nose. A big Amore thank you to the Dr Damiani Clinic!

(more later about the terrific vet.team that helped Abby)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

CHILDREN TOGETHER WITH ANIMALS

Picture Ulla Linders (c) 2009
Max and Olivia are playing with Nebbia that was sitting alone in a small cage in a horrible shelter. They claimed she was aggressive.
Picture Per Hanstorp (c) 2009
www.hanstorp.se
Wonderful Per flew down here together with journalist Anna and he took this warm wonderful picture off me and my children together with our rescue dog Clyde

picture Mia Mattsson-Mercer (c) 2009
Our youngest volunteer Max 2 years-old and rescued puppy Coco at Rossella Shelter.
Kids are so Amore if you are gentle to them, as goes with strays...they can teach us a lot about life, but also about ourselves.



Tuesday, December 15, 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM AWL

PLAY-DOG COVER MAGAZINE

I am still amazed! Remember Giove from the terrible shelter --AWL went in and rescued dogs-- one year ago The dogs drank their own urine, and after wards two veterinarians wanted to put him to sleep (they thought he was dangerous because he panicked when they wanted to put a needle in him). He stayed in my house for a while--wonderful with all my dogs and children--, his "parents" drove down from Sweden and adopted him. What happened then?
All our beloved Giove is the cover dog on a very successful magazine, together with "mom" Erika and "uncle" Benny. I can assure you he is having the best time in his life right now, Giove PlayDog!
We are so Amore Happy for you sweet Giove.
Tidngningen Nara kan du lasa Gioves langa historia, och mycket annat andligt julgott!

Monday, December 14, 2009

A WONDERFUL LUCIA EVENING

Yesterday we had the AWL Lucia Party, for volunteers, kids and four legged kids. Max and Olivia were in Heaven with all the attention, and so were our 17 dogs. Lindy in the picture above was loved up on by Sammy.

I had requested that instead of bringing me flowers and wine, bring dog food for the shelter dogs instead. This is a tradition we started after a Christmas party we went to in Fayetteville did the same thing. We've done it here in Italy 3 years now. This year, we got approximately 25 dog food bags and 23 big cans of wet food. Thank you all so much!!

Jaz in the picture above was in delight getting her ears scratched by Bruce.


Aidan is the Lucia 2009 --- a very handsome one.



Mitra and her wonderful fiance drove down from Rome with their car full of dog food, treats and gifts for me. Aguri to your engagement!!!!! You guys are so fantastic.


Vania, thank you for your generous donation. And to all my AWL guests, thank you so much.




Saturday, December 12, 2009

AMORE BENJAMIN'S TRANSFORMATION

End of September: at the gas station
End of October: at a foster mothers house

November: when Ulla from Sweden was here-- she took this picture--and donated the pig ears too


December: at Dr Damiani's clinic with me. We still have some work to do with him. He has a big wound on his back leg that's been looked at by Dr Damiani, but he doesn't know what is causing it. Benjamin is on antibiotics right now so the bacteria in his wound can be killed before doing a biopsy. This is the sweet guy that got turned down by many--- because of his looks --- but we are the few that's been fighting for him.
Amore you for your support!

AMORE SATURDAY AT THE SHELTER

Today we had a sunny Amore day at the shelter. Keegan and Lindy out running with Ginger and Fred.
More later!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

BELLA IS SO SCARED -- BRAVE

Our Bella from earlier blogs is still not putting on weight. She is still a walking skeleton, and it worries us since she is getting fed three times a day by her foster mother.


We took her this morning to Dr Damiani to have her spayed, but she was still underweight --- the doctor and we agreed that we have to figure out why and get her in better shape before doing the surgery.


Dr Damiani examined Bella and she laid totally still the whole time. She was fantastic. Her foster mother had to dry her mouth since Bella drooled so much from being stressed.


Dr Damiani is a great veterinarian. He gives us a lot of time and educates us at the same time. Every time we learn something new and our work feels very rewarded from him. Can you imagine that today he thanked us for doing so much for the Neapolitan strays?


My heart felt warm and we get inspiration to keep going. On top of everything he is keeping his costs low for our Foundation and NFOA. --I know since we have been working with other veterinarians here.--


With Bella he did a rectal examination and found out she is eating a lot of gravel!!! A blood test was being sent away-- for many internal answers we hope for. We really want to know what is wrong with our girl Bella.


She is only 3 years old, blind in her left eye and has been abused by people before. She is so worthy a good and calm life, and a nutritional correct life.


Before leaving, Dr Damiani came out with a carton of dog food for us, as a gift. What an Amore veterinarian, AWL is so grateful for the person he is!


And Bella was so scared that she turned out to be so brave on the examine table, it was amazing to see her. Bella, we are doing everything so you can feel better and get healthy!

IN THE WAITING ROOM


Many times sitting in a vets waiting room can be interesting. Me and my client walked in at Dr Damianis office today and was greeted by this gorgeous gentleman named Big Boy. He was a very friendly boy, and spoke a lot, with big dark lovely sounds.
He made you feel good! His energies was "sending out" that he was very content and in the end off his leach "dad" David held. You could hear that David was proud over his Big Boy.
They adopted him 14 years ago and they think he is 16 years old.
He is from San Diego and now he lives here in Italy. What an Amore family.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

JAZZ STORY IN AUSTRALIA

Jazmine in her former "home"

Jazz in our home now.

Jazz story is also being posted on ADORE ANIMALS FOUNDATION please visit them, they do amazing work, and look at all their fantastic pictures.

A big Amore thank you Adore Animals Foundation!



CAN YOU GIVE ME A HOME?

Adoption or Foster? Please don't let your heart close ...give her a warm Christmas.
Found on base, no microchip, no collar....she is right now together with other dogs, and she is so fantastic towards them, and children. She is a lucky catch. One off our volunteers got her right now and tells us she is fantastic.

They named her M'lann and tells us that she has a very sweet disposition and think she is about 6 or 7 years old.

She has been a mother before. She looks relatively healthy and our volunteer took her to the vet this morning. This is a fantastic Amore dog, gentle and good with other dogs and children. What a girl.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

SAMMY HIT BY A CAR

Sammy is a happy stray that doesn't want to be adopted. It broke my heart since I am madly in love with Sammy. I found out many others are in love with him in the "town" we live in and many wanted to adopt him too. But "no way" says Sammy, "I am a happy stray who loves my freedom more".

I tried to accept it. Some mornings he would be outside our gate, coming in for a breakfast, sleep for hours, love up on us and then....stand by the gate and whimper...

When I brought out the stroller to take the children to school he always jumped around for joy. Following us, sitting outside the school gate until I would come out and then walk with me home again. Never on a leash, he would fight you with that.


Passing the street that is hectic, I would always make sure that no car would come before I crossed over, since Sammy would not look just throw himself out into the street. It was always a walk with my heart up in my throat.


One morning, from out of the blue, came a car at such a high speed I didn't even see him. He nearly took the front wheel off of my jogging stroller, but Sammy was already out in the street.

I heard his scream and saw him rolling around. I screamed! I ran to him picked him up and got blood on me, people came running to put a comforting hand on my shoulder. The flower store man took the stroller and walked with me home. I put Sammy in the car and drove quickly to the veterinary clinic. He was in shock.


I ran into Dr Gigi that thankfully didn't have any surgery at that moment. He examined Sammy and put him on an IV. I begged for them to keep him over the night. I was so afraid he would have some internal bleeding or something that would show up during the time in our home. They could only have him until the evening, they had their cat-spay day and would have chaos the next day.


While there, Dr Gigi tells me that one of my dogs tested positive for leishameniasos. I froze, even if I know its treatable. Doctors like Dr Damiani say, its an infection. And our Roberto was positive but with the right treatment he is now free from that infection. (It's also in what stage the infection is in, with blood sample and a special lab you can find it out.)

Dr Gigi asked me if Dr Lorenzo hadn't called me and told me about it. No, I hadn't received a phone call or an e mail. I asked for the name of the dog and Dr Gigi went and looked at the papers...it was Sammy!


My legs started to shake, oh no! A new blood test was taken and we are waiting for the result.


At the meantime, Sammy sure is not happy with me...he is grounded. Keep you fingers crossed and positive thinking for Sammy. WE love our town boy!

Monday, December 7, 2009

SOPHIE NEED A WARM HOME

No microchip, no collar. no name found walking on the highway.
She is very sweet and good girl. And the founder named her Sophie. Right now she is getting sterilized. Please give her a warm Christmas!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

GIOVE ON A BIKE RIDE




Click on the link above. Can you understand this is the same dog! He cheated death many times, and he is an adorable great fantastic dog. We are so happy! Merry first real Christmas Giove!

A BRAVE MOUSE

One Brave Mouse
One Brave Mouse 3 images... The real-life Dangermouse: Daring rodent shows leopard who's boss by stealing its lunch This mouse diced with...

Friday, December 4, 2009

DUDLEY DUCK NEEDS A HOME

I wish right now I had a farm. Look at these two sweethearts. One needs a new home.

You can see the Dudley Duck is so sweet and likes children and humans. Not potty trained, and don't leave the gate open.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

SOLDIER MAX

Last Saturday at our link up Eric told us that on the base a huge German Shepard had been running around, and was caught by the Security personnel. Could we do something?

Todd and Eric picked him up in Eric's car. The dog was dirty and skinny.

After the mission at the shelter I told Eric he could go out to Lega Pro Animale, they always help us and if he has a microchip they help us by calling ASL (dogcatcher with veterinarians and database of microchip numbers) and speak to them since my Italian is not that good. And of course on Saturdays ASL is closed. But Lega had always kept a dog until we could solve the mystery, and like always we paid for the extra days it would take to find the owner.

It is really the only option, since all of us who works with strays have our "living room" full with rescue dogs-- and we don't want to mix our dogs with new comers. Dr Friz has taught us about the worms and we don't want that coming into our yards.

But Eric returned after one hour telling me that Lega's Internet was down. And he had been told by them that I knew how to look in the computer myself (to find the owner using the microchip number). Well, no help this time!

Thanks to NFOA Sarah, Eric could drive this big beautiful goof out to her and her husband Armand. We would of course pay for his stay but Sarah said no.


Here started some great work together. Sarah went to Dr Damiani's office with "Soldier" and got the information. Last Wednesday I escorted Sarah, Armand and Soldier to ASL and I had Abby with me.


This handsome guy is Max, the owner Paolo told me Max is 2 years old. I told him what great work Sarah had done with him already, brushing and cleaning him, gentlely washing his eyes. She gave him security and rules, since his anxiety went in waves.


It was a bittersweet moment today when Sarah handed over Max, she had become very attached to him and so had he to her. But then there was another one who loved him dearly, in a different way but clearly cared about him.

Even if the gate was left open, one week ago, and that can happen to any of us.

With this story I want you to know how many that got involved and opened their hearts to help this stranger "Soldier Max." It shows that we can work together for the sake of the strays, whatever we may think of each other, or what has gone on before, we have to put our feeling to the side. Then we can create Amore, that's what emotional rescue team workers do.