HAPPY HOWL-EEN

On our way home from trick-or-treating with the children, we went through MacDonalds Drive-thru, I hadn't been eating since breakfast. At the pick up window, these two wonderful, beautiful strays were laying. He is a male and picture below, it's a she.

We ordered hamburgers for them, after we first asked the worker if it was ok? She told me it was ok, as long as I took the food a little bit away from the window to feed them... no problems at all.

Playful, friendly --- I just wanted to scoop them into my SUV. They are so fantastic I could spend my whole evening with them.

Warm and nice hamburgers!

On our way out there were more strays, but these were young and scared and hungry. They had broken chains around their necks. The other one--not in picture--had a broken front leg. I could not lay my hands on them, they were so scared....it broke my heart.

I had a bag of Frolic in my SUV that I spread out for them, before walking backwards into the car. It's a tough life.... and tougher if you have nobody looking out for you!

THANK YOU NORTH

A big Amore thank you to Mitra Talarman up in North--Rome--Your generous gift will help us help more. Super Thank you Lucas, Alma and Mitra.

Photo via Paolo Ricco

CONCENTRATIONCAMP III

Paolo Ricco continues telling us:

"Make sure that: The idea of a national control of the kennels will never be activated, or we are lost. The idea of a CCTV camera in the kennels is absolutely resisted. The visits are prohibited so that nobody can see what is happening in the kennel.

Sterilization is not done properly.

The medical controls are inadequate. Microchiping is done in a very limited way. People who want to get a dog won’t get one because the less dogs you have in your kennel the less money you earn.

Remember: adoptions are fatal to earnings; find all sorts of problems and quibbles to stop adoptions.(AWL note, this has happened to us in a shelter with 500 dogs every dog we pointed at had some problems or wouldn't fit, it was frustrating) The lack of sterilization is extremely contained so that puppies are born and more money comes in (AWL note, this we have seen in some shetlers too, so frustrating). The animal lovers are kept under blackmail (AWL have heard this from scared volunteers) “ If you tell somebody what happens here you will find the door shut” “Questa è casa nostra”. “This is our house”. If the animal people get too close, make sure you go out with a gun.

Nobody knows if the dogs die, if the dogs die avoid to report it so that you can continue to get the allowances. (AWL note, this was shown on TV not long ago) Your kennel is full of dogs, if you have too many adoptions make sure that the bitches give birth to new puppies.

That you don’t feel any compassion, they are only animals devoid of immortal soul. Ask the local priest and he will tell you. Don’t worry about: The number of animals in the cage The medical controls The physical condition of the animals The fact that rats eat from their bowls Blind dogs starving because they cannot find the bowls. (AWL have seen this)

Don’t worry about dogs: Devouring each other With the local cords cut, without eyes and without paws. With legs amputated and with monstrous injuries Running around themselves endlessly in the cage. Injured, cut apart, dying. Sick with all kinds of horrific diseases and dying with tumours (AWL have heard this from a good source a hard working vet. this happens, she even got threats for knowing)

Don’t worry about: No water in the kennel, (AWL seen this they dran their own urine)

God will provide The dogs that the activists take for a walk and when they are taken back in the kennel howl in utter despair. The mortality reaching the level of 97%, like in the infamous kennel lager of Cicerale

The fact that the animals don’t get out of their cage for 14-15 years (AWL knows and seen this)The fact that the puppies born in a cage die in a cage.

The media: the journalists don’t care about dogs (they care only about the women of Berlusconi) The animalists: they are abjectly divided. They want us to be condemned but the political powers will defend us. The law and political power will stop everything Don’t worry about: Ministerial inspections, political power will activate our contacts in Rome and stop everything.

Documents: they can disappear like the documents of Cicerale suddenly dissolving into thin air. Carabinieri, NAS or the police, they come and go. We are well protected.

The judge, offers a job to a relative. The closing by the authorities of your kennel: be smart like Calasso, who moved the dogs from Cicerale to a place called Cirò Marina, in Calabria, 400 kilometres away.

Moving the dogs. Sick or blind or dying pile them up in a big van, they will be alright, and if they die it is the will of God: the Lord gives life and takes it away." end of Paolo Ricco's story.

BRONKO THE HERO

This big boy lives at the gas station were we have picked up Abby and Lucy (see earlier blogs) He is a survivor, a hero, a gentleman a true happy stray. Every day for five (5) years has he followed the Ukrainian lady Nadia home after she finishing her work. A walk through tough parts, through strays territorials, in the dark he is there by her side.

They love each other, and non off them want to change anything, well.. accept Nadia agreed that AWL can take Bronco and have him castrated--I think Bronco is of another opinion. :-)

He looks after the gas station. He greets us. He never ever takes one step over the coffee bar door step.
That my friends, is a true hero.

CONCENTRATION CAMP

Paolo Ricci wrote; "Let me explain briefly how this is done, how the mind of a owner of a kennel camp operates.

Let’s get into his mind set. This is what he would suggest to you if you want to create a kennel camp. First you must - preferably -. choose a territory where the law is a joke. The South is perfect.

The area of Benevento, Campobasso, Caserta, Irpinia, the region of Molise, Sicily, Basilicata and Calabria are ideal for the job. Choose an area of intense animal abandonment. Campania is perfect (read the book of Saviano or rent the CD of Matteo Garrone “Gomorrah” from your local video shop and you will understand what I am talking about) Make sure that you have solid political contacts, right or centre or left it’s totally unimportant Be a great friend of the parish priests. Give generously to the local churches.

Make sure you have a statue of Padre Pio in your house. Avoid the one of Francis of Assisi like the plague. He loved animals. He is not adequate.

Once the contacts are solid, try to appear like a benefactor: like Marlon Brando in the “Godfather”. Then build a kennel in a desolate distant place. Make sure that is in an impervious area. Make sure that the kennel, like many in Calabria, have high walls.

Silence and privacy are absolutely paramount. Like the Nazi camps, visibility must not be permitted at all. You don’t want animal people to interfere with your work. It is fatal. They break your balls. They are mad and sick. When the kennel is constructed, employ preferably foreign workers that you can keep silent. If the workers talk it’s big trouble. If they talk send them away - back to their country.

When the kennel is ready, make a deal with the town councils of the area (in the case of the infamous kennel of Cicerale, close to the temples of Paestum, 97 towns councils are involved with the operation). Use your smart way. Oil the machine. Give decent backhanders. Make sure the local politicians are on your side. Make solid deals. Choose the stronger political party but be open towards the opposition. Make sure that you have good relations with the local judges. Establish contacts with the internationals multinationals of the vivisection; you can sell strays to the Mengeles of the animal world. It’s very easy.

Now go collecting dogs. The more dogs you collect the more money you make. Each dog you catch is worth 50 euro plus a monthly or a yearly amount established with the local town council. Be smart: dog catching, plus dog maintenance, plus dog death with consequent incineration equal a lot of euros. It follows a fluent rhythm.

More dogs, dead or alive, more green dollars. "

THANK YOU FOR DOING SOMETHING AMORE FOR THEM

(Picture Paolo Ricco 2009)
Sara Hoover (US) and Erica & Bobby (Giove) Andersson (SE) for your most generous donations. It can be many sad days, but thank you for keeping the sun up for us/them.

Amore to you all

CONCENTRATION CAMP

Italy are a nation that abandons every year over 135,000 cats and dogs. There are over 600,000 stray dogs roaming free in Italy and only 33% are caught and taken into kennels. The Regions that have more strays in the territory are: Puglie 70,600; Campania: 70,000; Sicily: 68,000. Calabria 65,000; Lazio: 60,000. The South, as you can see, is the part of Italy more exposed to this problem. The South is even the area with the highest level of corruption and criminality.

The Italians living in an area were the mob exerts influence are over 13 millions. The equivalent of 22% of the Nation. The mob is present in over 610 Italian districts. The Italian mobs: Cosa nostra (Sicily) , Camorra (Campania), N’drangheta (Calabria) and the Sacra Corona Unita (Puglie) have a turnover of over 130 billion of euros.

The gain of the N’drangheta in 2007, that was around 44 billion euro, equal to 2,9% of the National GDP.

To understand the level of corruption it’s enough to analyse the denunciations for corruption you have in percentage this classification: Sicily 13,07%; Campania 11,46%; Puglie 9,44%; Lombardia 9,39%; Calabria 8,19%..

Black economy, tax evasion, arms trade, drug trade, extortion, racket, violence, prostitution, sex slavery, constructions without planning, transformation of the cost in a mass of cement, zoomafia, arsonism, deforestation, the poisoning of the land and of the sea with ships full of toxic and radioactive waste and now the kennel concentration camps

The roots of the problem is that puppies are being abandon on the motorways. Cats abandon cats and dogs like used, squashed beer cans.

Last year we abandoned 90,000 cats and 45,000 dogs. This year, only in the month of June, we abandoned 65,000 dogs and cats. This is the root of the problem.

From this horror everything originates. But note: the abandonment creates fortunes. It makes people rich. And, therefore, we have the commercialisation of the animal alive or dead.

Animals Without Limits contacted Mr Paolo Ricco who took these pictures/text and we are offering our help. Will you offer your help or the silence so this can go on?

SPONSOR STRAY

Thank you Ulla Linders and Anki Jonsson for your generous donations so we can continue our work to help strays from suffering.

Anki, your wish for a sponsor dog will be sent to you as soon as possible.

Thank you both for your Amore hearts!

DUMPED BY WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS HER BEST FRIEND

We named her Lucy!

She was tied up at a dark cold, gas station, abandoned by a person that she thought was her best friend. She still has her little pink collar on. She is not one year old yet and my gut tells me the person that dumped her is International. Tomorrow hopefully I will know if I am right or not.

She is so sweet and craving for attention. Jackie brought her a ball and she started to play with it immediately. We had to put Lucy in the very cleaned out kennel/cage were Benjamin had been staying. But this is crazy. She is not even a stray, she was dumped by her own owner!

Please I truly need your help. Adoption, Foster home if not, please help with donations since now the owners are dumping their pets on AWL --- I don't know what to do. This is so selfish and cruel! It is true: a person's true colors are shown in how he treats his pet!

Please help me turn this around, to show that there are carrying responsible owners, and animal lovers.

ABBY DUMPED AT THE GAS STATION

This is sweet Abby, she was dumped at a gas station, with an infection in her body and full of fleas. Shivering and cold, she tried to stay warm, she tried to lay under cars! Blankets were put out for her trying to give her some comfort. AWL's Jackie has been there, giving her food and water. And when Benjamin was moved to his foster-home, his kennel cage was cleaned out and new blankets were put in.

Jackie is a volunteer that can get the strays calm and they trust her, she is a joy to work with and has very good experiences. Today we picked Abby up and drove her to Dr Damiani for a health check up, since Jackie had found a foster-home for Abby. Abby is so wonderful she sat in my lap during the car ride. At the veterinarian, she laid on the examination table trusting Jackie, she trusted us both so much.

We found a microchip but when searching on the computer, there was no match. We will have to wait until next week to call ASL. She got antibiotics for her infection, and we de-wormed and frontlined her. Dr Damiani explained everything so well and I love when he explains and even pulls out books and shows pictures. Thank you, Dr Damiani for helping and giving us so much of your time.

Jackie drove and let Abby off at her new foster-home. Thank you Tiffany with family for opening your home to Abby.

Jackie thank you for your generous donation. You already do so much! Amore Tutti

TWO IMPORTANT BIRTHDAY'S!

My mother and I, a long time ago. But, we have another important birthday.....

Animals Without Limits was born on a cold floor in Sofia, Bulgaria 23 October 1999.

Happy Birthday to Animals Without Limits (10 years) and our founder, Mia (?? years) ;-)

ON THE EDGE OF STARVATION

This little poor fellow was brought in to Lega Pro Animale. Close to starvation, blood and mucus running out from his nose. Found abandoned.

A wonderful warm-hearted Italian man is fostering him and medicating him. That's Amore! We hope for a fast recovery to full health. Dogs are super troopers, like kids. We have much to learn from them.

OFFICIAL FAMILY DOGS

Today we took Maya and Sebastian (former Grace and Cucci) to the vet on Base for microchip and vaccination, and some blood test. Eric came down to help out, and he had his own designed AWL t shirt on (with my blessing)

I am so happy that Maya and Sebastian are having such a wonderful family, that are spoiling them with love and attention. Always "worried" about them in a positive way.

This is Great Amore! Thank you Michelle and Nicole for giving them your home and hearts.

THANK YOU

Because of your kindness, we can help strays and reduce their suffering.

Bella Appelblom, thank you for your donation, and also a big thank you to the vet.clinic NewPortVet. The Newport Beach Veterinary Hospital. General & Internal Medicine Specialist Veterinarian serving dogs & cats of the OC in Southern California, USA.

Tutte Due Grazie Amore!

PART THREE (3)

(see earlier blog about Benjamine)

Jackie and I linked up at the gas station to give Benjamin "part 3" in his life. From being hurt and scared by people who thought he was horrible looking. Then treatments. Then back to the gas station but this time in a kennel.
And now, a foster home. Gayle thanks for opening your warm garage with his own entrance out to the garden, --for Benjamin. You could tell he was so thrilled for his new chapter in life.

I was so amazed to see that more fur had growned out on top of his back already. That was an Amore joy. Good luck Tutte due, and I will keep you all posted.

DUMPED POGGE

Stephen and his wife found a chihuahua mix on a garbage bag by the side of the road. They took him in to a veterinarian because he has a growth on his lip that turned out to be cancer. The vet said 160 euro to put him down or 200-300 euro for surgery. But the vet didn't do an examination, it was just cold fact.

Through a co-worker/friend, Keegan, they contacted AWL and asked if there were anything we could do? Pogge (sp?) is a warm-hearted, happy dog. He eats wet can food, and snuggles and plays. He has been someone's pet before. They believe he was dumped, and some vets have told me that can be the truth in many cases, since it is expensive to put a dog to sleep or surgery. Owners will cast off a sick or injured dog, rather than paying either price to do the right thing.

The second vet said they could not do a surgery as it was too difficult because the cancer was on the lip. He was rude, even people in the room reacted over how they got treated (the dog and couple).

The couple was upset. Even if they haven't had this dog since puppihood, they have become very attached to him. When you are attached to something you don't want people to be "cold". So off to the third and last veterinarian, and this afternoon I expect to have a call, "What to do with Pogge!"

AWL thanks Stephen and his wife for stopping, bringing him in and doing what's best for Pogge.

Keegan for being the middleman, guiding them to us. Jackie, for the towels that help Pogge relax in and dry off the blood from his mouth.

You guys are wonderful, you've got your heart were its supposed to be. AMORE

CLEANING PLASTIC PALLETS

AWL got a phone call from one lady Anna, she could help us get plastic pallets to the dog shelter. And as you can see they are flat, no dog legs can fall down and get hurt.

It was fantastic, we were able to transport 18 pallets to the shelter.

Dogs laying chewing, this is the splinters of today, from one dog. Just imagine in the dogs stomachs! And even some tongues were bleeding.

On the wood pallets mushrooms were growing many dogs eat them and becomes very sick. Also its rotten. Dogs fall down with their legs in between and twist, many cases = broken legs = no veterinarian

Vittoria cleaned and also worked as our translator--and we got to know the shelter's problems better. Now we got all the details clear for upcoming projects.

Thank you team AWL for great work this Saturday too. You are amazing.

Eric, Ben, Keegan, Jackie, Vittoria, Lindy and Me :-)

Blind Chihuahua’s brain surgery successfully completed - The Boston Globe

Blind Chihuahua’s brain surgery successfully completed - The Boston Globe

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NEGLECTING A DOG

Click at this link

FOUR HAPPY FACES

Two happy men, two happy rescued dogs.

Eric (to the right) had a hard time today, choosing which fury one that would follow him home--and who wouldn't among all these wonderful dogs--But this sweetheart admired him so much that she became the One.

When it was time for us to leave, two women came in with this puppy that they had found on the street. Ben (to the left) looked at the puppy and said, "She won't make it through the night here."

First, both dogs had to go to LegaProAnimale clinic for three days check up, and the puppy will be sterilized. (The English Setter is already spayed)

To both Eric and Ben, thank you for being part of success stories for AWL and all the readers and sponsors. This is grande Amore!

RESCUE THIS DOG ASAP

They feed him, but they mistreat him; they keep him on a very short chain, he can barely move around and they want to get rid of him.

He gets very scared of fireworks and thunder. Apparently they torment the dog by lighting off firework around him and then slap and hit him when he gets worked up over it!

We need a rescue foster home asap!

I always get the statement "wow, you do so much I wish I was the same"

Well my friend, time to be like me, at least a little ;-)

BENJAMIN CHAPTER 2

We couldn't and wouldn't dump him at the gas station, it felt cruel and heartless, even if he had only been away from it for a day. I cried like never before, and Eric tried finding a foster home on his phone like a madman. Back at the gas station, the owner told us there was an abandoned cage / kennel, we could use it. It wasn't bad, and Eric said something really true today that I felt when I was sitting with Ben:
"WE are suffering more than Ben."

That is so true. Is it therefore we put animals to sleep too quickly?

The pictures cannot describe his skin condition. AND the pictures cannot describe his happiness. All three: me, Jacky and Eric just love this little guy so much. He has a big spirit in his 9 month old body...and, he has taught us a lot about human's as well.

He doesn't get aggressive when you feed him, he waits. This little guy is worth a big Amore life.

Harris Parkway Animal Hospital Client Joey

This story comes from Dr. Young himself at Harris Parkway Animal Hospital. Fantastic story;

"I learned something today. This is "Joey" He is deaf and his mom has trained him to respond to visual commands. (Hand signals and body language).

Six months ago he began to lose hair. No itching I was promised. No sores. The skin was a little red and irritated. He had what we call "bilaterally symmetric alopecia".

There was a mirror image of hair loss on his body. These are usually hormonal problems, but after checking for thyroid problems I was scratching my head. What the heck was going on?

He was about to be totally bald and I was lost. Maybe it was a sex hormone imbalance?

Kind of looked like it but I never really see that.

Well, off to the dermatologist with you little "Joey". Dr. Reid Garfield, practices dermatology (yes a real live veterinary specialist) in Dallas, and he made a diagnosis in ten minutes. He asked the owner if she happen to use a topical estrogen therapy.

Well, yes...she puts a dose on the inner part of her forearm each day.

Of course, "Joey" snuggles with her everyday, and has been getting a nice daily dose of estrogen himself.

Goodbye hair and hello whatever mixed messages a little guy gets when he's on strogen.

Happily "Joey" is doing great, but it's a good thing for us baby boomers to remember. (that means were getting a little older). Whether mom is cuddling with her dog, cat or human grandchild, remember that these "transdermal" drugs penetrate what ever skin they comes in contact with. :o) DrYoung"

BENJAMIN THE BEAUTIFUL

I never thought a dog could have such a big soul as Ben. To be so beautiful towards people even when they have kicked him, and done faces at him. Ben looks horrible with his two different skin problems, Sarcoptes Mange and Demodex. He is not even one year-old, and on the pictures you can not really see how bad it is, he looks like he has leprosy.

Tuesday, I had to go and get him from the vet clinic, Dr Damiani was fantastic writing a letter in Italian to the gas station people, what it is and what we are trying to do. I could see other in the clinic that didn't want to help me out with the cage and Ben. Just looking afraid and stepping back.

I was crying, I totally lost it, because never before had I seen people with disgusted faces towards an animal.

AWL volunteer Eric linked up with me at the gas station, and the owner was not happy to see us coming back. I explained and told them we were going to do everything in our power to help Ben to find a foster home. I could understand the owner!

Many people dumped their pets at the station during the night.

He looked at us, and showed us an empty dog kennel, not fancy, but for now it would help us medicate him.

Charity I thank you for helping me escorting him to the vet. Eric you are so committed it is fantastic to see your spirit working among animals. Jackie--wow--you got the heart.

Eric and Jackie take turns feeding him and giving him his medicine. YOU GUYS ARE BEAUTIFUL.

This is the email I got from Jackie today, "The pictures of Benjamin can't quite prepare you for when you actually see him. That poor, poor dog. He is so sweet. He wanted to climb me. He was so good natured. I just touched him gently and patted him. He really liked that and just pressed himself into me. We will never know the last time someone touched him with love. I stayed with him for one hour. I wanted to make sure he ate all the food with his medicine."

Canine Flu

With all the talk about Swine (H1N1) Flu, we might forget that our animals are also susceptible to viruses. Hey, they have respiratory systems, lungs, blood... why should the be any different?
They're not.

So, this article talks about a strain of canine flu that is particularly dangerous.
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SLEEPLESS AGAIN

Read about Ruffus scratch from earlier blog

I returned today to the gas station, together with Charity to see if he still was there. I talked to a wonderful Italian lady who worked inside the coffee shop next to the Q8 gas station. She had been feeding him for two months now, and was so happy to see AWL. She thanked us for taking care of "Benjamin" , the young dog that looked so horrible, and now he was also bleeding. I could see the pain in the woman's eyes.

Benjamin's little young body was so hot from fever, and we lifted him into my SUV very gentley. He was a trooper in the crate back in the SUV, not a sound as we drove to the vet.

At Dr. Damiani's clinic, he got shots and antibiotic and can only stay over the night--lack of place--Benjamin got Demodex Mange, or scabies in another word.

It kills my heart that tomorrow I have to pick him up and let him out at the cold gas station again. Rain and storms are on the forecast!

What I want is a family without pets or children, to have him in a doghouse out in their yard, give him good healthy food, and a lot of vitamins. Of course, plenty of love.

He is so full off love, this little Benjamin.

I hope for a miracle! Amore Miracle!

Animals Without Limits Hospice

On my way home I saw this beautiful dog, trying to find food for the day. She is very old and is having a problem standing on her legs. Tired and the hectic traffic is passing very close. Every day is a struggle.

She is not in pain, she is tired and alone.

I stopped to give her food and she was a little timid. My husband stopped today and she was more allowing him to be close to her, but still very tired.

I remember Lupa, the very old German Shepard that we rescued from a horrible shelter, and gave her a warm bed and food. She slept for nearly two weeks. She had a short time with us (and we with her), but it was incredible to see the life in her eyes, after resting. She got a peaceful end when she wanted to go.

Everyone should have a peaceful end.

Here are so many old strays that are struggling, and the law says you are not allowed to put a healthy dog to sleep. Even some people are leaving their old pets on the highway.

AWL is working on a project with a hospice/rehab clinic, together with veterinarian's to rescue old strays and to let them have a good amore ending.

Please join us in our project!

Pictures Copyright (c) 2009, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved.