A TRUE HERO

I got in to my house last Friday after working a couple of hours at the hospice. Pio who helps me out watching the kids, was putting on his jacket when I receive a call from Dr. Lungo (Dr. Damiani clinic). They had a dying dog that had been poisoned, he told me, could we come in with Bruno and give a blood transfusion?

Lonely with my kids, already late evening, I asked him to allow me to call him back. I told Pio the story, could he go to the hospice and get Bruno and drive to Dr Damiani's clinic? I would pay!

Pio's partner, Martina, was waiting for him at home. A Friday evening after a long weeks work, dinner would be ready and they would have time to be together with their own dogs. But Pio said he would do it, and he even turned down the money.

I called Martina and told her that Pio would be late and what the reason was. Wonderful Martina said, "Of course he has to go!"

This is such unselfish, beautiful teamwork; no whining, no complaining.
He drove to the hospice, took AWL Bruno on a mission to save the life of another.

Pio, Bruno, Dr. Lungo, Dr Damiani, saved a life last night. That's heartwarming Amore.

I picked up Bruno yesterday from Dr Damiani's clinic, and the little girl Bruno gave blood to will make it.

The poison causes internal organs to break down and leak, an animal dies by internal bleeding. It's a slow and painful death. Dogs should have 45% red blood cells, this little girl had only 11%, she was close to death from the internal bleeding.

It is so beautiful, Bruno was rescued and saved, and now he saved a life. That's Amore!

TRUFFLE AND PRINGLE CHECK UP

Went to Dr Damiani to have the brats vaccinated (born 30/10). They were abandoned with 8 other sibling's in a small dirty box. Pringel was a very good boy. Oh, we have him because his first "family" regreted taking him and returned him to the base Vet Clinic where he and his siblings had been abandoned originally. So Mr Pringle is up for adoption, he will be a wonderful addition to the right forever home.

Truffle is a sweet girl. She and brother Pringle enjoyed being reunited, but that is coming to an end. Her "dad" is picking her up tomorrow, for the beginning of their life together. It is bitter sweet as always. Guess that is Amore!

A BUSY WEEK WITH WONDERFUL CLIENTS

This handsome "oldie" was rescued by Martina Ricci from being killed on her street. There is a man who doesn't like strays, or dumped dogs. Rex is having a lot of medical problems, hip and skin. AWL made sure he could be castrated and seen by a doctor. Martina found a loving home up north, her boyfriend drove 7 hours to link up with next volunteer who drove the last several hours to Rex's new forever home. We got a report from Martina, that the new owner is aware of all his medical problems and will take care of them. She is so happy for Rex, who has not made any "accidents" in her home. That's Amore!

The weather is horrible here. Cold, strong wind and massive amounts of rain. We are all in emergency mode, but the shelters are having it worst. Please help with donations and we can make a difference for the animals health and happiness.

AWL MARIA MATTSSONIT

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Bank: IW BANK S.p.A.Via Cavriana, 2020134 Milan

I took Capri to Dr Damiani to have Capri's blood taken and sent to Germany for the count of antibodies for her passport to Sweden. Poor Ulla, Capri's new owner has been waiting for her dog for several months. But nothing goes smoothly here, always something goes wrong. We were so happy last week, the last blood test. 'Well never" take out the joy in advance. I received a phone call that the tube had leaked in transit, so they need new blood. Arghhh! We are getting delayed again!!

Got a call from Bruce about this handsome, skinny male found walking alone on the base. He followed Bruce and his dog, and Bruce's heart couldn't "just" leave him there. "Billy" is now resting on Bruce's balcony and is getting food. Tomorrow Todd will go and give him the medication, de-worming, frontline and protein paste. Monday he needs a foster home (or forever home). Bruce cannot keep him since he already has two animals, base regulations only allow two animals per home.

Please help Billy, give him hope and joy! Male, 5-9 months old, skin and bones, friendly, goes with other dogs, cats he loves to chase :-)

Give him Amore please!

THREE LITTLE GERMAN SHEPARDS

Having puppies is not easy but kind of fun. AWL got a phone call about 6 puppies 4 weeks old pushed down into a bucket and pushed into an American Park. 2 got adopted by the Italian guards, one by an American girl, and me, I am "fostering" 3 of them at the hospice.

Nothing I really want, since I am an "olddy" dog passion lover, not puppies. But my opinion doesn't help them. They are now 7-8 weeks old and sweeter than sweet roaming around peeing and pooping everywhere, and then slides in it. Eating like small little pigs, but gosh it is so sweet to see them sleep so safe together on top of each other.

It was time for their vaccinations and off to Dr Damiani we went. They were so good, 2 girls and 1 boy.

But little Gracie had to stay for a biopsy. She has some skin defects that we don't know what it is. On her back paw was a huge blister that hurt her, and still no fur on her back tail. It looks like a rat tail. I went out in the car and got a stuffed animal for her so she has a roommate at the clinic.

I hope Gracie you soon will be back at the hospice sleeping in your dog bed that Aunt Tracey sent to you all the way from America.

That's Amore!

LAST THURSDAY AT THE VET CLINIC

Remember from earlier blogs that AWL was introduced to Adriana, a 400 dog shelter, by an Italian lady name Anna. This shelter is private/Govermental but for 2 years no money has arrived at the shelter from the government. There are many sick dogs, Adriana and her staff they are constantly working full time to survive with the little they have. Martina asked me if I could help Adriana with a Pitbull that was so sick.

Last Thursday Adriana and I linked up at Dr Damiani's clinic, with worry in her eyes she asked if it was ok to bring in another dog, a young one. I said yes.

Dear donaters, this is where your money goes, to help to heal, or to help an old soul over to the other side.

This is the young one, Sky. He was rescued after being hit by a car. Someone thought they were helping, but by putting a spling and bandage on the leg, in this case made the situation worse. his leg did not have any blood circulation and the smell, was horrible. Like rotten fish!

When the bandages were taken off, Sky started right away to lick his leg in such a speed, he could finally feel the blood pumping. You know that tingling feeling when an arm or leg is "asleep"? That is what he felt, times 10!

Look at his poor leg totally a mess. Sometimes wounds and small fractures heals better without anything. Always contact a qualified veterinarian, and make sure to return to him for check ups.

He had a bad infection on his back leg. I am so glad Adriana brought him in. Her wonderful heart.

This morning was a bittersweet one. Ringo, 12 years old, been at the shelter since 2003, was in such a bad condition that my first thought was; we have to let him go. But first like always, an examination and x-ray of his swollen right front leg.

What a guy! We were able to do everything and he didn't say anything or do anything, I admire these animals so. He had chronic erlichia, he was anemic, he was a skeleton, and the x-ray confirmed a tumor in his leg. All of this, and his age and weight-loss, convinced us that we had to euthanize him.

Adriana whispered to Ringo "I am going to let you run free now my friend, I will let you go. I love you so!'

Thank you Dr Damiani, together with your wife, my two wondeful children who waited for 1-1/2 hrs, of course Adriana for your heart, and you all that made donations....thank you!

Ringo, say hello to Tjojs for me.

JULIAN UPDATE

I was nervous picking Jullian up today at the vet clinic where he had stayed for 3 days of observation and tests. You could read in earlier blog that Jullian was found laying at a very busy street, covered with ticks and blind.
A blood test was done and it showed perfect result. He has a brain damage but what kind we don't know since we need a referral to Rome for a CAT scan.
He is blind, but we are going to have him examined by a eye specialist to learn more about his eyes, for example is something pressuring the optic nerve? If the eyes are physically ok, that would point to a neurological cause for the problem.

Dr Damiani and Dr Loungo both agreed that this is a charming, lovely dog --- wagging his tail, eating a lot and not once had he made an accident in is cage--or barking!
We need to continue the research before we can adopt him away. Is it a tumor? Liquid? Will he suffer? Or did he have distemper as a very young dog?

He is a young guy, 3-5 years old, so lovely. I brought him to an AWL foster home and we have opened a special fond for Jullian and his upcoming visits at specialists. He cannot see you but he follows your voice and wags his tail. He is a trooper Amore!

ANOTHER BUSY DAY IN OUR 'PARADISE'

A small 20lb. (8kg) jack russel/terrier mix that was living inside for 3 years, never outside. She lived with an older lady who can not care for her. Tan and white, short wire hair. apprx. 3 years old. Likes kids ALOT! Likes other dogs, cats I do not know. She is NOT housebroken, she was trained to potty on paper in the house, so the house is where she goes. She would make a good outside dog however. she is very sweet and loving and would make a great family pet. Barks when strangers are at the gate so effective as a small alarm. (Fostermom)
Today AWL had her brought out to be sterilized Her foster mother Wendy linked up with us at the clinic.

Our little flower girl Abby...hit and left to die on a gas station next to the highway, bleeding and with a broken leg (see earlier blog). Her passport will be done in May and her transportation will be in June to Sweden A happy family is waiting for her.

A content stray outside his best friend Mr Butcher.. you could see his tail go in a high speed and a moment later he had a juicy bone in his mouth. I see him there every day!

And Benjamin, our Benjamine the mysterious rescue dog. He now got an infected wound on his back leg and he has a lot of pain in his leg. Benji had to stay at the clinic over night, x ray and other tests will be done. We all are shaking our heads...this Benji!! But we love him so dearly.

Benji was happy to see Dr Damiani, jumping out of joy since Dr Damiani was the only one that would touch him when he had the horrible skin diseases (see earlier blog).

After all this....me and my children had a wonderful day. I stop doing missions after 15.00 then I am with my children and lovely 19 dogs.

FIAT RESCUE TRANSPORT

My SUV is still at the repair man and since we had to order special parts from the States I don't know when I can get it back. I have to tell you, I miss my SUV so much. Rescuing strays in the smallest FIAT is kind of funny though.

Today Olivia and I picked up three dogs in my rent car FIAT and we really looked funny with dogs everywhere, Capri, Phillipo and Scooby.

All three got safe to Dr Damiani's clinic, and Dr Loungo took care of them and all the paper work that needs for their up coming Swedish passports. Blood test and leishaminiosis were made.

Back home, 19 lovely dogs were waiting for their treatments, and Olivia took care of sweet ABBY. What a sweaty day full of dog hair and Amore.

BONITA AT DR DAMIANI

So last week we took Bonita to Dr Damiani to have blood and urine tests done. Bonita has started to leak urine a lot and we want to know what is wrong. Monica was holding and comforting Bonita, who is a brilliant client. Calm and friendly.

We got the results and her protein level is low. We are afraid it can be something with the liver. A new test is going to be made hopefully tomorrow. Keep your paws crossed.

MUFFINS VACCINATIONS DAY

Muffin was rescued on a busy four Lane nearly killed. With a bad stomach and a fur smell to die for we gave her four baths and then went to dr Damiani to have her examined. Healthy and lovely, she behaved so perfect.

We were so lucky that a "stomach specialist" was there and could listen to our poo poo explanation. We got special food and some medicine, and we also got her vaccinated.

Thank you dr Damiani and veterinarian colleague for your help to the beautiful strays!

Muffin lives in our house, sleeps with Todd, and she now got the hang of our routines.

She is a sweet little girl--7 months old. Up for adoption.....

DIFFERENT MISSIONS

Olivia is a good helper, she had to hold Bonita in Dr Damianis waiting room while I and Capri were inside getting checked by Dr Damiani. Capri was scared constantly trying to escape. Bonita is a lady that is so cool. Two veterinarians were examine her, blood work was made and she got her rabies shot. And she didn't move a wrinkle.

Pio together with Max and Olivia we drove out to LegaPro to pick up the four females that got serialized three days ago. They were happy to see us and my heart sank closer we got to the shelter. I always feel so bad putting them back in there.

One of the females, Stella so sweet and gentle. They are so well behaved.

Three females in the back and Olivia wanted one dog to hold. She is such a helper. The dogs were very quiet and sweet, they are so patient in general. I can see more and more how we humans can make a dogs mind weak.


And what we don't like to see we want to take away...but this is reality so please support us in spay and neutering campaigns. There are 20 puppies in the shelter right now. We had their moms spayed! But four mothers =24 puppies

ABBY AT THE CLINIC AGAIN

I went with Abby to Dr Damiani's office to have her stiches removed last week, before going to Sweden. Abby was (of course) great, very calm but my thought is that she feels the good energies from Dr Damiani.

We looked at her paws and discovered one claw is "upside down" Never seen something like that before. Our wonderful Abby, she is full of surprises!

Her tests went through, her rabies serology report came back and she is ready to get her passport. --Also her Leishmania test was ok--

In May she can go home to her waiting new, warm family in Sweden.

JACKIE'S CAT MISSIONS

Jackie goes out and trap cats to have them spayed and neutered and later on she picks them up and releases them where they where found. AWL takes care of the bills, our way to say, "Thank you for your hard fantastic work!"

Dr. Longo checking out the girl. She needs antibiotics for her skin condition.

One beautiful little female stray cat that needs to be spayed and treated for a skin condition.
Jackie trapped her in Castel Volturno.

Unfortunately some of the neighbors feel that only the females should be spayed, that the males are not the problem...
Difficult to change a mindset.
So we do what we can and if we're lucky we enlighten some people. Ciao Jackie."

Warmhearted Anna picked up the cats, here together with Dr Damiani.

WORKING WITH GOOD HEARTED SKILLED PEOPLE

Running an organization or foundation, you are seeking good-hearted, skilled and trustworthy people to have around you; ones that have passion and belief in life. Dr Damiani's clinic has showed AWL a lot of those things through many difficult stray cases. Above on the picture you can see me and Dr. Longo who spent more than 2 hours to get out the "object" that was stuck in Abby's nose. He also worked to remove the chain around Ranger's neck. He has the skills, and the passion we are looking for.

Dr. Damiani made the biggest impression on me when we brought in Benjamin, our stray with mange and scabies all over his body. Nobody wanted to even look at him, but Dr. Damiani showed true professionalism, skill and compassion in his treatment for Benjamin, and his guidance to us to help bring about Benji's recovery. Above picture, Dr. Damiani is working with another of our clients, Chloe, as she is getting prepared for sterilization.

Dr. Damiani (right) and Dr. Longo, with "the miracle kitten", Francesco, during the checkup after numerous sessions where he was anethetised and had stitches removed and bandages changed. This was another client where Dr. Damiani's clinic and personnel showed their "true colors". And because of their skill and caring, the kitten can now walk, and is on the road to full recovery.

Dr. Damiani's clinic, and doctors have what it takes for the animals here in Campania. They are some who help with what we are trying to do here. Thank you.

BACK AND FORTH TO THE VET CLINIC

This morning I dropped off our dear Abby for blood work and for Dr Damiani to examen her right front leg. Lately she has not used it, jumping around on three legs. I left her there for x rays and are soon going to pick her up. Keep fingers crossed.
So I went on base to do some shopping. When I walked out in the rain I saw something more or less crawling in the rain. A young Setter maybe pregnant.

She was in a horrible shape, skin and bones and "dead' tired. I called her, and it took long time for her to move, she was in a lot of discomfort. I took out some food and she took only three bites. She was to tired to eat.

My animal friend Jackie came and helped me lift her into my SUV and the poor Setter collapsed. In high speed I drove 30 minutes to the vet. clinic were wonderful Dr Damiani came out and carried her in. She will stay there under observation. Keep your Amore fingers crossed for this young beautiful soul that I named Daisy.

Dr Damiani thank you for your fantastic help! That's Amore.