The Best Cure

Having an ear infection is not fun, but having a puppy is the best cure thinks Olivia.
(No it is not our puppy and we are not keeping Lilly, even if Olivia is begging the whole time)

Two Adorable Dogs

Rosa lives on the street, and is always alone. She is very sensitive but so sweet. Adorable to my children and other people. We put FrontlineTM on her and we noticed she is already sterilized. Would you like to have a girl whom never will let go of your side?

Fox is a young male, locked in an empty lot with nothing to hide under or away from mean children throwing rocks. With a big goofy heart he is constantly trying to reach you with his front paw. (like a chimpanzee)

These two are my favorites. If we didn't have 9 dogs in our house, and 3 distance-adopted dogs I would bring them home, in a heartbeat. They are so much Amore.....

Another Sad Day

Today Dr. Inga and I had to drive out to the "terrible shelter".

On the farm before the shelter the employees were having their coffee break, while one of the buffalo's where laying very sick, dying.


AWL had bought 40 kg dog food to the shelter terrible because they were not feeding the dogs.

Pictures were taken, for what we hope a family that wants to adopt her.

It was terrible again, urine in their water bucket. I cried!

1,5 m cages, 6-8 big poop piles and the smell was horrible. This was even worse than before. The dogs were going crazy, they recognised us and wanted our attention "Take us out from here!"

I cried!

Smelly dirty, I thought I had seen it all. And still the dogs are loving and begging for their Amore freedom.

Terrible Shelter Update

A lot has been happening about the "Terrible Shelter", and we've now been informed that it will close completely on February 13th. On this date, any remaining dogs will be seized by the authorities, and taken to one of the "official" shelters... the ones that are canine warehouses.

So, there is only about 2 weeks to adopt away as many of these wonderful, worthy, helpless souls. You can see the current listing of dogs, with pictures and descriptions at this link.

These amore souls did nothing to deserve being in this shelter, and their continued love of and for humans demand that we find them homes.

A Moment in the Car

This morning I drove my daughter to her doctor, together with little brother Max. It takes 20 minutes to drive to the US base and in these 20 minutes I had cried twice, begged to God three times-- but repeating several times-- and prayed eleven times to Universe.

Eleven (11) big dogs laying dead on the motor way, killed by cars.

One beautiful German Shepard ran along the motor way. I cried!


I couldn't stop with my two children in the car, to jeopardize their safety. On the highway they drive like crazy, sometimes there are three cars passing each other.

Second, I don't have a safety net between the back and the dog area in my car, if the dog would jump in the car, or become dangerous to my children.


On the same high way I nearly hit a big dog myself! He was running in panic in the middle of the median that divides the four lane. He couldn't get over to the right side since many cars were driving by, fast. In the middle of the four-lane highway, there were these high "safety" bumpers.


I asked myself, "What's happening?" And the answer, "This is reality"


On top of everything, my little Angel is having an ear infection. What a painful drive!

Abandoned Dog

Today I am angry, very angry and I am not supposed to complain, but I will. Call it a late puberty!

It came to my knowledge that an American (promised to not be more specific) let his dog out before going to the States for a month, the same dog he claims to love. He was moving his family back "home", and at the last minute, he claims, they couldn't take the dog (even though he claims to have made every provision to do so.)

Now he is back from the States, without his family, and says he regrets doing it and wants his dog back.

How many fliers have he made and posted? Zero.

Out searching? Don't know, haven't seen or heard anything.

He got the question why not call us in the emergency? Didn't have our phone number. Why not call someone who did? Didn't want to bother!

For the dogs sake help me find this beautiful dog. For more information read http://www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com/

Like Lupo and Mario's family, there is ALWAYS another option. Pets are a life-time commitment, don't make it if you won't follow through.

Honest Open Mind Writing

I read Liza's comment on yesterdays blog, also I have got over thirty e mails were people asked me to get back on the "honest and open writing again. "

You are my readers and to be honest, lately I lost a lot of readers, I became to "organization minded" and to be even more honest again, I didn't feel like it was me either.

I listen to some people's advice, (and I love my advicer's so nothing wrong about them,) to be more a "foundation writer" and not to show my own feelings and my own disappointments. They were right in one way.

On the animals without limits blog it should be more strict, informative, but here on my blog, it is about me and my adventures.

My three books I wrote in a very open way, and many readers love(d) that....so never confuse me with AWL blog, this blog is Amore me!

Roberto on His own Mission

Yesterday...was it yesterday?...gosh my days are going in warp-speed here. I don't want it to speed up, I want to enjoy everything I do slowly, go through it in my mind and feel it again.

But anyway, our "rehab dog with the bad leg Roberto" ran away early in the morning. The Vet told us that what we thought was a broken leg, was "just" torn ligaments. He needed to take it easy for a long time, and it should heal. They wouldn't operate because he was a smaller dog. (?).

We couldn't take him back to the madhouse "terrible shelter", what chance to rest would he have there. So we took him out of the vet clinic, to bring him home for awhile.

We drove him to Alberto and Vivian's pet store and had him washed. Afterwards we introduced him to our pack. It went fantastic, everybody was nice and polite no growling, nothing. So, yesterday morning all the dogs went out on a pee pee round, suddenly my phone rings.

Roberto is on his way out between the bars in the gate!

How the heck?? Now mind you, Roberto is smaller than most of our pack, but still twice the size of Dexter. Yet Dexter has never tried to go out through the gaps in the bars on the gates like this. Especially with a bad leg, his getting away was about the furthest thing on our minds.

Holly Molly we got a break out dog! At the same time our landlord is driving out through the main gate. Roberto was flat gone.

I ran around screaming "ROBERTO, ROBERTO"

The windows opened everywhere and voices shouted; "Cosa e successo?" (What is happening?)

I yelled back; "un cane, un cane" (en hund, en hund!)

I heard how all the windows closed. It was a dog, ROBERTO IS A DOG!?? Crazy woman yelling for a dog!!

With a big smile on my lips that quickly changed into a worried smile me and my husband (who called into work saying he wouldn't come in until Roberto was found) went looking for Roberto. My husband drove around for hours. Then later, we both took other dogs for long walks, hoping the dogs would attract each other. We made fliers. We talked to people. Later, very late at night in pouring rain, my husband drove again all around. Increasingly, we were looking for a dog hit on the road more than our little Roberto generally healthy. Nothing. He was totally gone.

Late in the evening, our veterinarian calls and tells me that the blood test came back and Roberto was positive for the leischamenaias. My heart stood still.

No, this couldn't be true, and now he was gone, my imagination took me to higher scary places. We had to find him quickly, because death by leischamanaias was not pleasant. We had to find him to take care of him appropriately.

This morning I told my husband to go out early since I knew the strays starts their day early after a cold night. Many will roam around before the humans wake up to find their food for the day.

He retraced much of the driving routes he took the day before. Up and down the main street. Around the lake. Through several nearby towns. Up the highway, past the construction. He was gone about 1 1/2 hours.

He was on his way home, empty handed and broken hearted, when he saw our little guy nearly in front of our parco, crossing the 4-lane road. He quickly pulled over, and took Roberto in his arms, and walked him back to our home.

Looking out through the window, I saw my husband struggling to open the gate with his keys, with an armful of brown wiggling dog. My heart jumped with joy, it was a wonderful feeling. Now we have to escape-proof the whole yard....Roberto's instinct to survive was bigger than staying and take a chance that our home could be a bad place. But maybe the recent memory of a full belly of food was bringing him back when Todd saw him?

The horrible shelter where Roberto is from is closing down February 13th. You can adopt a dog, foster a dog or distance adopt one if you can't keep them yourself --- you can pay to keep one in a good environment and healthy. There are so many ways to help --- it just takes a little amore.

Happy Dogs! Happy Owners?

Saving a Dog

Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely, for that one dog, the world will change forever."
~~Unknown

A great Amore dog friend, the former NFOA President Genni, sent me this quote. I really needed this one right now. Thank you.

A Bridge to a Better Life –AWL Dog Sponsorship

AWL Dog Sponsorship is based on an idea that is very common here in Italy. Oftentimes there are people who love animals but, because of their living space, work schedules or even allergies, they are unable to provide a home for dog. Sponsoring a dog with AWL offers these dog lovers the option of providing a safe home and comfortable life for a rescued dog until a permanent home is found.

For only 50 Euros about 65 dollars a month, you can provide the vital bridge a dog needs between the harsh environment of a shelter and a life with a loving family. You can start by visiting the “Adoptions” link (on the right side of the AWL homepage under “Interesting Links”). The most difficult part of the process comes next…choosing which dog (or dogs) to sponsor.
At the bottom of the adoptions page, you will find an email link. Through this link you can email AWL directly about the specific dog you would like to help. Staffers will then make contact with you about your dog, set up payment scheduling and answer any questions you have about Dog Sponsorship.

AWL volunteers will send you information and photos so you can get to know your new friend. While in the care of AWL, the dog is provided good food, a cozy home and any medical treatments necessary until a “forever home” is found.
We greatly encourage everyone to take part in our Dog Sponsorship Program. Let your love for animals stretch beyond your home or your back yard.

Be an AWL Amore Dog Sponsor and be the bridge that saves a life.

Monday Mission Possible

Monday morning, with a body that rather wanted to stay in bed, we went back to the shelter me and my husband to pick up Lupa, the old German Shepard and Roberto with a broken leg.
Both dogs went wonderful in the car, and off we went to Dr Damiani.
These two dogs smelled so bad that we were driving with the windows down! But so sweet and quiet, and trusted us so much, leaving the environment they only know.

They are now staying for more health check up and to see how that leg is doing.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Our Wonderful Sponsors

Dr.Inga helping a very sick dog, Saturday mission.

Dr. Koch from Germany, thank you so much for your veterinarian help.

Thank you so much for the donation; dog food and several cans cleaning detergent. Your hearts are big. Today they even told me that Animals Without Limits strays will be groomed for half price. Grande Amore. Thank!

More sponsors coming up!

My Furry Partners

After the vision this weekend("terrible shelter") it felt great feeding "my" puppies. Even if I don't know if they will survive, and for how long....at least they are not aware of anything else. And, they got their freedom.

Amore pictures, Copyright (C) 2009, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved

Sunday Mission Possible

Today, threatening clouds were hanging above us as we drove out to the shelter for another day of Mission Possible. Five volunteers and two children were able to help us today. Since day one of Mission Possible was so productive, we were able to accomplish a lot of work today, despite our smaller number of volunteers.

On today’s agenda, we had some dirty cages to clean, yard work and feeding and watering the dogs. A few more volunteers had offered to help out, but we were disappointed to find that they were not able to join us.
With Max on my back in his carrier, I helped out by holding and walking dogs while their cages were power-washed. Todd and I took turns every hour to carry him in our great “baby back pack”. Max enjoyed the ride as he and his dad bumped along on the lawn mower caring for the grounds around the shelter.

Many of the dogs have been in their cages for many years and loved the newly cut grass! They loved it so much, in fact, that they didn’t want to leave the area. They laid down flat, and even when we pulled and enticed them with goodies, the dogs didn’t want to walk away. It broke my heart to see their begging eyes while we carried them into their boring, locked cages.

The worming medicine we administered yesterday worked very well, we can tell you! We found three different types of worms from one animal that we analyzed with amazement. Now, without so many worms draining their systems, we just hope the skinny dogs can put on some weight.

We also found out more about the dog with the badly broken leg. I asked when it happened and was informed that the limping was noticed “four days ago”. I don’t understand how people can sleep after they seen an animal sick or hurt like that.
It kills my heart to see him suffering with that leg, so we decided that tomorrow we are going to pick him up and drive him to a clinic for treatment.

Ylva and Kath worked hard with cleaning the dirty, smelly cages. The urine filled the holes in the concrete floors. The smell was horrible as we pressure-washed each cage clean. As the pressure-washer worked its magic, there was no lack of dirty, splashing water and foul-smelling mist. The volunteers scrubbed and sprayed and were soaked in the grime. Kath made sure the cages we cleaned yesterday were still spotless when we left today. Everyone was ready to go take very long, very hot baths after this job!

As the day wore on, Max and Olivia showed just how used to these missions they are becoming. Max took a good nap in my SUV and his big sister Olivia listened to music and colored while I walked some dogs around my car.

This weekend’s Amore Mission Possible was a very good experience and a way to improve the living conditions of these dogs. We still have a long, bumpy ahead…more about that tomorrow. I have a new plan for everyone to help us with: Distance Adoptions! More about that later.

Sunday Mission Possible Part 2

Our day started with two new animal activists, Olivia on my friend Kaths shoulders, and Max on my back

Then it was dads turn to have Max on his back while mowing the lawn.

Team strategy talking with Andreas.

Power washing the cage

Ylva was never afraid of getting hands dirty--gloves always protects.

more later!

Helping Animals Without Limits, Helping Animals In Need

After several days of rain here in Naples, finally today the sun came through. We loaded the car with cleaning detergent, rakes, brushes, buckets, power washer and bags of dog food. At 09.30 we joined up together and by 10:00 we arrived at the shelter.

Maria and her translator friend, Sussy, were already there on time.
We unloaded the car and divided up into different teams to work as efficiently as possible. Bruce and Rosa assisted the veterinarian, Inga. Heeding Dr. Inga’s advice, the dogs were all caught in a calm and gentle way, administered their various medications and treatments.They both did a fantastic job learning very quickly how to do everything from applying Frontline flea and tick treatment, to making meatballs with de-worming tablets inside and handing Dr. Inga the injections vaccinations.
In one cage did our Vet. Inga found that one dog had a broken leg that was very swollen. Poor thing! But how had that happened? The dog had been in his cage, and last week he was doing fine. Suddenly, we noticed a lot of limping dogs. We all wondered what had gone on since our last visit.

The second team, Ylva, Sofia, Kegan and Dennis, cleaned the cages, doghouses, floors and took care of grooming the dogs. They worked in pairs to improve the living conditions of these beloved animals. It made all the difference in the world for the dogs to have a clean home and a clean bowl from which to have a meal.

Team 3, our volunteers Todd, Andréa, Mark, Kim and David, worked to improve the conditions of the yard. They also power-washed several dog cages. Their help made quick work of what otherwise would have been a long, difficult clean-up job.

I was amazed by the positive, hard-working teams. I’ve been a part of some teams where the mood has been more negative, which can bring the whole team’s spirit down. We all realize that this kind of work can be disheartening, which makes it even more important to have positive, caring people willing to get the job done. I am so proud of how well the team worked together.
They did a remarkable job in such a short period of time.

We closed out the day by watering and feeding the dogs, playing and talking with them and even offering some dog biscuits as a special treat. Ylva also provided our hard-working group with a well-deserved lunch. Everyone agreed it was delicious!

Our “Mission Possible” group was a wonderful crew that I would love to continuing working with in the future. It was amazing to share this experience with such an excited and caring international team.

Some have asked why AWL would use so much time and so many resources for dogs in a shelter that will be closing soon. As with many causes, it is not about the “bottom line”.
AWL exists to make the lives of animals better. AWL and its volunteers wish to show every creature we find that there is love and caring in the world.
Some of the animals we help would otherwise see the world as a cold, lonely place. Every animal deserves to be shown love.
The caring and affection of an AWL volunteer can be like sunshine after many days of cold rain.

AWL doesn’t help animals because it makes the organization money, or for any accolades.
AWL cares for animals because so many people have had animals care for them.
It’s time to return the favor!

Again one asked; "What is the purpose of this if they are closing it down soon?"

We do not have any time table right now for how long time the shelter will exist. But what I do know is for the dogs having a nice clean cage and people who held them petted them for a moment, loved up to them can be like a sunshine day for us after several days of rain.

Wonderful Team & Wonderful Day

Some of the Animals Without Limits team gathers together for instructions,
From left, Sussy, Dennis, Keagan, Rosa, Bruce, Ylva and Sofia.

Dr. Inga and her team, Rosa and Bruce (Maria in the background who "runs" the shelter)

Sofia cleans the cages, brushes the dogs.

Ylva didn't "just" make the lunch for everybody, she even cleaned out the cages.

Keagan and Bruce cleaned the doghouse(s).

More to come!

Mission Possible

We are going in now at 10.00. This is why we go in.

Please hold us in your thoughts and hearts, let this day be a mission possible.

The Day Before Mission Possible

What a day! Nervous, exited at the same time.
Picking up all that needs for the tomorrow mission possible of "terrible shelter" cleaning.

Please keep us in your prayers tonight for a great Amore mission possible.

I cannot wait until I can show you pictures, on the wonderful mission people. So don't forget to check in tomorrow evening again. With your support, we can do magic!

Strays Waiting for Help

Soon we are coming, only two days left. We will be around 20 people trying to make life a little easier for you. My husband is now buying timber so he can build a roof over your cage.

You my sweet pie, we communicated and it was just a small promise I could give you, not even a hope.

Where are you all people going? Why am I here? This is not Amore

Strays Having Problem

Srinagar-municipality-to-poison-3000-stray-dogs

Ariel a Warm Lady

Ariel is born on the street, then someone put her in a shelter, then she was moved to another shelter, and now she is in "terrible shelter" And, at the end of this month she will be moved to a worse shelter. Her only mistake; to trust the humans.

Can't we give her a warm ending life, with love and attention? Adoption or Foster home?

Should it be so pumpkin hard to help her?

Dear Volunteers and Animals Lovers

Dear Volunteers and helpers,

Animals Without Limits is overjoyed with the outpouring of support for our “Terrible Shelter” mission.

The purpose of this is to give all "want to be" volunteers a better idea of what we will be doing at the shelter on the 17th & 18th of this month, and also provide a “shopping list” of things we hope the volunteers can bring with them (some, not all items… ).

There are 51 dogs at this shelter. Volunteers will be helping the veterinarian administer vaccinations and applying Frontline™ anti-tick and flea treatments to them. Volunteers will also be helping with feeding the dogs, brushing and cleaning them as best as possible. With the weather likely chilly, we will probably not wash the dogs in soap & water (as we would prefer to do), but rather douse them with baby powder then brush it out. This way, the dogs will not get sick being wet in the cool January air. Volunteers will be helping with this task as well.

Some of these dogs are scared, not dangerous. So much attention will be totally foreign to them.

The Admirals wife, Ylva Mercer will bring refreshments and snacks.

Material things that we still need:

· Metal bowls (no plastic... they will get chewed up and could harm the dogs)
· Baby powder and brushes.
· Clorox. The kennel enclosures will need to be cleaned and disinfected.
· Gloves… rubber dish-gloves work best.
· First Aid kit/bandaids. There are sharp edges around the kennels, and you never know what might happen. If you have a first aid kit in your car, that will be fine.
· Push brooms, rakes, clippers, hedge trimmers. There is some brush and things that need to be cleared.

We need dog food.

Please remember this may be “muddy” work.

Animals Without Limits looks forward to seeing you out there, and to accomplishing this noble cause. Remember, if you need rides or directions, please let us know.

One Who Deserves a Home

Photo from the randagi organization. www.randagi.org

http://it.youtube.com/watch?v=QpuHCm9NVxo

She is such a loving soul that is left in the "terrible shelter' where we are going to help this weekend.

The first time I met her I fell in love with her. Maybe it was her love and eagerness to love up on me, that made me see her among all 60 dogs in terrible need.

Maybe it was her right-front foot that is oddly twisted, (probably from a badly healed break) that made me love her, she is so beautiful and I call her "my duck foot." She is 5-6 years old and it is such a shame that this loving dog has to be moved to another "awful shelter" if we can't find her a home.

She is so sweet, kind, loving and it breaks my heart even harder this time that I cannot bring her home with me. We have seven now, and soon eight....oh my God I hope our landlord doesn't read my blog!

If someone would like to adopt her I will do everything in my power to help. She is a fantastic dog, and if Mia Mattsson-Mercer, the well known animal psychologist says so, it is so.

This is an Amore dog with a beautiful paw.

AWL Always on the Run

It is not a slow moment on this side even if it has been Christmas holiday, we have been on the move the whole time.

I totally forgot to update you about Zara, I got an e mail today from a Sengora who asked how it was with Zara. I am so sorry. I have been too occupied with all the different cases and projects.

Zara was indeed poisoned again, although how this time remains a mystery. She hadn't been out of our yard, or off the leash, since her first bout with poisoning.

But poisoned she was, and with a very potent poison at that. Her condition deteriorated very quickly, but we got her to the emergency vet clinic in time, they treated her with a strong "cocktail" of medicines, and sent her home with me. We sequestered her in the dinning room for the first two days, and Todd slept on a mattress pad down there with her the first two nights. After than, she rejoined the pack.

At home, we have had 20 days of vitamin K treatments (which she spits out when she can). First it was 20 tablets a day, then down to 12 for the remainder of the treatment regimen.

She quickly became her old self again. Even for us, the transition from sickly-near death dog to playful puppy again was amazingly fast. We can understand how some might wonder if we are over-dramatizing the situation. Believe me, we are not. Both times, she wasn't too far from death!

Recovery. It is amore good fortune with God looking out for all his creatures.

Starving Dogs

Yesterday evening around 19.00, I got a phone call from the Sengora of "Terrible Shelter." Could I come with dog food, there was no food left for them.

Urgh!! A Saturday evening, my family time and where to get food?
I locked my family into a room with chocolate* and said, "Back in a minute!"

Yes! Still some lights on in the dog store. I banged on the door and Alberto, with family, opened. I waved with the donation envelope and shouted I needed dog food for 51 dogs! He thought I couldn't get my numbers right in Italian and came with a small bag. "No no" I said, "I need 60 kg dog food!"

Kind Alberto drove the 60 kg of food ---- three huge bags --- home to my house, I surely couldn't lift that.

Back in the house, I opened the door where my family was locked in to see that they just finished their chocolate*...mom hadn't been gone that long. Sigh!

Thanks Alberto and family for helping AWL. That's sharing Amore!

* The children were not unsupervised, my husband was with them, and the chocolate!

My Brilliant Gang

I still feed the puppies every day. I have made that commitment to them, to myself and the Universe.

Every day, am I nervous that something may have happened to them. Dog-catcher or children that could have chased them off.

But yesterday when I came they sat waiting for me. My seven friends.

The pack family wags their tail while leaving the place when I arrive. Like they would say, "Thank you for feeding them." Poor mother dog having all these puppies hanging, drinking, thirsty and starving. She must be exhausted.

I hope to be able to vaccinate them soon, I am worried that they can have something already. I know this is Mother Nature's way and sometimes Mother Nature can be hard, but these fellows also need help against the evils that some humans can bring.

They have to be Amore strong.

Dexter the Surviver

Dexter is doing fantastic, we couldn't be more proud of him. He can be outside now without panicking, and he has started to play. He lets the other big dogs chase him on the grass and when inside him and our German Shepard mix Zara, are wrestling in the guest bed.

He can now come up to Olivia to be petted, and Olivia is so happy and says, "Oh Dexter I missed you."

This is Amore I can assure you that.

He also barks outside with the other barking gang. My poor neighbors.

It is amazing to watch the metamorphisis of a 'grown' dog from a hermit-recluse into a loving, functional soul.
Our Dexter we are so Amore proud over you!

Medicine for Project 2

Animals Without Limits is very happy.

Today I received a phone call from the AWL veterinarian and she made sure that we now will have sufficient vaccination, de worming and frontline to all 50 dogs when project 2 is going off.
And, at a fantastic price!!!

Thanks to these two veterinarians (from another country), we can now go in and do our work, and get healthy non-scratching dogs.

After the project 2 is done, we will celebrate these two wonderful veterinarians with a lot of Amore. This is healthy Amore news!

Complaint Among Problems

Baloo, the dog on the picture yesterday--he is one of my favorites, but doesn't have a home yet. But six other dogs have already been adopted from the "horror shelter!" That is wonderful news.

Still many left to find homes for, but if we can get all the help as possible, we will succeed.


I remember when I lived and worked in Bosnia, a lady from a company that sponsored us flew down to visit. I wanted her to live like I did among the people, and to follow my days. She went with me on the tram once, afterwards she complained that everyone smelled. "Don't they have toothpaste here?"

I took her walking around the neighborhood were I lived, "If they just would buy some paint and flowers, it would look much better."

I looked at her, silent waiting for her to say something like "kidding."

"Lady, they just survived a war I think they give a shit about colours right now."


Many people, when seeing "life problems or life difficulties" they attend to complain, "why don't they do this or that?" and then they go home, doing nothing themselves.


It is maybe very "natural" to complain, but to attack the culture or society group for the problem is just wrong. Maybe to look at somebody else's problem takes their mind of their own problems.


Make a complaint but afterwards come up with a solution--or at least an idea towards a solution, that is Amore brain working.

HELP US!

Growth

Skin problem

No roof

Old, old water

Skin problem.


AWL have bought medicine and together with our veterinarian we are going in to vaccinate, de worm and to prevent and cure their flies problems.

Our money is going to heal and cure, please we need more help......

Shelter Project

This is the place AWL together with other IT organizations working on to rescue the 51 dogs life.

Do I Have A Home?

Please visit http://www.mytailwagsforyou.blogspot.com/ New Amore Friends!

Also visit the Travelers blog there is a beautiful picture.

Feeling Forgotten

Helping organizations, foundations or someone, is a wonderful thing. Volunteering for a worthy cause is a blessing. It should be a wonderful feeling to go on with in life, knowing that you helped in something noble or important. But I have noticed that many persons want something in return. Not only a thank you... but more!

I spoke to a coach last summer, to get some ideas how I could make people do more for the AWL foundation. She told me that many people would expect something in return. Could I have a little party for them, give them presents, give them something that would make them feel special?

My mother apparently knew this all along. She never ask(ed) anyone for help, she always said "They always expect something from you in return!"

When I finished my second book I thanked people in the book and it was with anxiety that I would possibly forget someone. Or, would I thank someone that later on in life I would come to dislike or who would disappoint me? (Well that happened, pumpkin!) My former fiance was angry because he didn't get thanked higher up on the page.

When I started the foundation (1999) Animals Without Limits, there were some people who donated or helped the AWL, and in return wanted me to communicate with their pets. At that time it was nearly impossible since I had up to 2 years of waiting list, and it felt so wrong to push the ones that had been waiting even further back on the list.

And today, I am afraid that someone will feel forgotten, or not feeling thanked enough (Please send me an e mail if that is the case, it is not ridiculous. For me that is important to know).

I wish I could give you all presents, but a small comfort for you maybe is; the dogs are the one receiving the gifts.

And that is AWL Amore goal number one.

Shelter Mission Team Work

The team assembles for the cataloging effort. Copyright (c) 2009, Mia Mattsson-Mercer. All Rights Reserved.


Today we started with our 1st program with the rescue shelter. We are documenting all the dogs that are inside this shelter, many of whom are in pain of some kind. It was a horrible view, it becomes worse every time you visit, and I was not the only one who thought that.


One veterinarian was with us and it was very interesting that he and I we had the same opinion. Even if I am not a veterinarian, I have worked next to vets for a long time, and have come to share their feelings in these situations.


This day was "bittersweet." We got job done, one step on the dirt path, but so bloody darn so helpless. Our hearts were aching the whole time.


Today, thank you Helene (Wales) for babysitting Olivia and Max so I could be on the mission. When I offered money, she said; "no no, I am just happy to help." You are so big hearted and Olivia cried when you left.

The Italian team, gosh we worked great together, here was a lot of "old" experiences no explanations needed, we just worked.

Todd, my husband....your pictures today to document the dogs, fantastic...we were all impressed by how you had built up the documentation/catalog of dogs.


Today was a bittersweet Amore day, still we have to work on program 2.

Mission Shelter

Pictures and text Copyright (c) 2009, Mia Mattsson-Mercer. All Rights Reserved

Went out to the shelter today. I nearly cried when I saw where we had found our new dog, Dexter. He was born in this shelter, in that cage on the picture, and for probably 4 years he sat in this dark, damp stinky cage.

I asked the lady why she brought in and kept the dogs in this horrible situation, "I didn't want them to be hit by a car!" she said.

Amore can kill!