BRUNO LOST AND FOUND

Bruno is a sweet hunting dog between 5-6 years-old. He was spotted by Tammy and Deb, two animal friends through their car window. They saw him trying to find human contact, but the man he had chosen kept swinging his fist, hitting towards the dog. Tammy and Deb went out and asked if it was his dog--no it wasn't and he didn't know anyone owning the dog. The women opened the door to their car and in flew "Bruno"

They drove him to LegaProAnimale were Dr Gigi took care of him, castrated and de-wormed. He had an old fracture on his front left leg and a big scare over his back. He had probably been hit by a car and got caught under the car... dragged. Then it started to heal on its own.

Bruno was just skin and bones. His long front claws shows also he has been chained up. Three days later I went out to the clinic to pick up another dog. I peeked in Bruno's box and fell madly in love. This goof has so much love and play, I took him with me in the car, back to the hospice.

He is together with three males, and loves going in the car (slight problem to jump in due to his shoulder break) he loves going for a walk and he loves my children. He will be a perfect family dog for some special, lucky family.

Thank you Tammy and Deb for sponsoring his bills, thank you AWL for taking care of him, that's Amore.

If you are interested in Bruno please contact us, but only if you are truly deserving of this fellow's affection and loyalty!

WAITING IN THE RAIN FOR A HOME

One day, not so long ago, I received an e-mail, and attached to which was this picture. The writer told me that this dog had been sitting like this on base for two days, in the rain. The person who wrote the letter couldn't do anything about the situation and therefore asked for help,--We got the message late that afternoon, so the dog catcher had already caught the dog. We knew for sure these shelters are nothing pleasant to sit in, once inside the camp, there's realistic no way out.

It's cold, the food is not even healthy, and adopting a big dog is 1 % chance in one year. Here there are thousands of big dogs.

My animal friend Tammy called and we agreed she would go and get the dog from the dog catchers before the dog got to the shelter.

I called Lega Pro and told them a client of AWL would come in, we wanted a health check, castration, de-worming and Frontline. And I asked if he could stay there for three days.

Tammy got hold of the dog, brought him out to LegaPro where they were both greeted. The lady that had sent me the e-mail , posted an add on the Naples All Hands (an online classified advertisement service for the US Navy personnel here), and from above an angel family replied, saying they would love to foster him. Michael and Tatiana are these angels.

Michael and his wife Tatiana, with 2 small children, brought him home to give him a warm place until they will decide if they can keep him or foster him until a fantastic forever home comes along. They tell us that Zeus is a fantastic, gentle, warmhearted dog; they adore him.
Thanks to all this fantastic teamwork we could do magic for Zeus. Thank you Tammy for driving, thank you for all the donations so we can medicate and spay and neuter our fury friends. Lega Pro Animale, thank you for your always kindness. The family Michael and Tatiana, for love and also coming to AWL's hospice helping and donating a lot of things. And the cake yesterday, was fantastic. That's Amore.

WASH-WALK-RESCUE DAY

Last Saturday we went to Rosella's shelter for walking and washing dogs (and food donation). The sun was warm and we were a group of 10 that did fantastic work. It is great when the team is doing well together, helping and laughing too. Then one of the volunteers Megan came up to me and told me that there was a German Shepherd bleeding badly.

A very stressed German Shepard was chewing up his tail, his scream was heart breaking. I told Rosella she needed to take him to the vet, or he would bleed to death otherwise. I got him out of the cage and as soon as he felt something around his neck he screamed and jumped like a wild one, then attacked his tail (what was left of it) I took his face in my hands and spoke to him, he calmed down and his beautiful eyes searched after help. It was difficult to get him out he was panicking in between, and I guess it looked worse to me with all the blood. Rosella couldn't deal with the blood, the new volunteer couldn't do it either, it became like a circus. I told everyone to calm down, that their energies would affect him more. I got him in the mini-van and our volunteer Mark sat with him since he went into panic attacks.

Not long after they left for the vet, they came back with him! The vet told them we should wash the tail and give him antibiotics.

I got so mad and everybody heard me cursing in Italian. We couldn't touch his tail, he screamed and then putting him into a cage on wet concrete, he would just keep bleeding and get infections if he didn't bleed to death first!
I was so mad, what an incompetent veterinarian who doesn't give his client treatment! I took the German Shepherd into my SUV and with Olivia drove him to the vet team LegaPro. Dr Gigi got informed and he agreed together with Lorenzo that what was left of the tail needed amputation. They said they would keep him for 10 days! You see that is what I call service!

I call him Jessie. Jessie is so sweet and will die a slow painful death if we return him to the cage, that I call the death cage. He is young, sweet and needs so much confirmation that he is a handsome guy who never will be hit or tied up. A forever home? A foster home? Hope?

Thank you AWL team for all the great work you did, Vania and her friend Megan with Husband Jason, and Megan's mother and brother, too (a wonderful warm hearted fun family). Reece (who made me think of chocolate the whole time) Darren our trooper trimmer, and Mark always with us, Lindy our great walker. Without you AWL is nothing. THANK YOU This is Amore

REMEMBER RIKKI WITH PARVO

You remember the little puppy that had Parvo and we didn't know if he would survive!
He is doing great. This little guy 4 kg are growling and jumping like a little tough pup is suppose to do. Thanks to many volunteers and good team work he is now a happy dog and his family is so thankful and happy.
Martina, Pio and Chiara have been assisting the family in the treatment to Rikky. Chiara brought him back to the Lega Pro for a check up. He is doing great! That's Amore

SATURDAY MINI MISSIONS

Last Friday picked up another big food donation from NAVY BASE NEX. We are so grateful to you all involved.
Saturday we drove out to St Francesco Shelter with 500 dogs and some puppies to Olivia's and Max big joy. They were so happy for all the bags of dog food, thank you so much.

Max and Olivia were not happy when asked to put the puppies down. And boy, did they run around petting and playing with all the dogs. I had a hard time keeping up. They loved it.

After wards we went to Lega Pro Animale to pick up Rose and Cody who had been spayed.

And Todd walked Athena and Bella while I was roaming around after Max and Olivia again...they roaming after all the cats and buffalo's. What an amore day.

WHAT A MORNING AT THE CLINIC

Marua rescued a starving doberman with terrible skin mange last year in June. Ever since she has educated, running to the vet, medicated and done everything. Bella is today getting serialized. Bella is up for adoption, but Maura promised her when she found her to make her strong and beautiful before getting her a good family. I admire Maura for keeping her word. Maura also helped me with the wonderful puppies Rose and Cody. They were adopted 2 months ago by Erica and her family. And we promised her too that they would be serialized and castrated.

They were of course charming us all. You could notice that they came from a good family.

In the car, Cody sang but Rose was quiet. But we didn't mind. At the vet with Dr. Gigi they were so good.

Even better behaving than me when I am visiting my doc.

More happened this day but that will be a follow up tomorrow.

PHILLIPO AND SCOOBY GETTING READY

A lot of drama and working not with our own veterinarian --- we finally got the dogs to our AWL veterinarian and to our next surprise none of them were castrated! An appointment was made right away.

Thanks to our great helpers Pio and Martina, the dogs are now at LegaProAnimale

I am very frustrated, because of the veterinarian that was out at the shelter giving them the rabies injections and blood tests we had asked for. But when we tried to get the results, asking several times via email, we never got a good answer. Phillipo's injection was made last November as we thought, or Scooby's two months ago. Phillipo got his little book but we are still sending the veterinarian emails that we want his full documentation.

Even more frustrated is Phillipo's new owner in Sweden, who had hoped to have him home in June. Now she will have to wait longer. That is really sad... both for her, and for Phillipo.

We are trying our best to rescue dogs and we were using the veterinarian that the shelter used (since it is not our territory, we didn't feel we could demand to use our normal vets, but now you can bet that I am demanding) to help getting animals out. The shelter's perferred vet was supposed to be doing the medical things required to adopt the dogs out of country. Saddly, this hasn't happened, and we have wasted a bunch of time. Sometimes I do really wonder what is going on in their mind! For people that should be looking out for the animal's best interests, either because that is their job or their stated passion... but seem to be doing just the opposite. For the ones that it is their job... don't they understand they will loose business this way?

Lately many people have been very rude, dumped their dog(s) and made our work that much harder. I may not write everything on the blog, but believe me I do it in my up-coming book. (and/or column in the magazine). That's not a threat, its a promise....you don't do that towards animals and then claiming you are an animal friend. Not good Karma!

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?

Lago Patria's own Sammy

Yesterday while driving, I got a message from my husband telling me there were two dogs, possibly injured and laying in a bad, hectic area. Could I go there when I was done with my mission?
I was already one hour away, I became stressed! No one to call ,only a plea out to the Universe for help.

After the meeting with a wonderful lady who made a big "thing donation"--yes, she wants it to be a secret since she knows some people will be jealous--Sad that other people cannot learn to mind their own business, or do volunteer work themselves since they have to much time--but I respect this woman's wish.

Anyway, I drove like a Southern Italian, fast and rude, and returned to Lago Patria safe. There, was Sammy the Stray, laying in the middle of a T section and with fast traffic all around him.

I parked and blocked the traffic with my SUV, jumped out and scooped him in. The police just smiled and waved!

He is the sweetest thing you can ever imagine. Great in the SUV, sitting in my lap licking my face--no I don't like that but he wanted to show me he was a nice guy.

At Lega Pro Animale, he will now stay for ten (10) days, having surgery for a hernia, check up, and spayed.
He is up for adoption, 2-3 years-old, used to hang out at different coffee places, great with people and children. Calm and a heart of gold!

Thank you Charity for your leash donations. Yesterday, I was able to use it on Sammy The Stray.

Abby's Return

Today Abby was picked up from LegaProAnimale having been spayed, de-wormed and expot'ed. Her ear looks much better, now she only needs a nice bath!

Such a sweet heart. Sat in the backseat the whole way home, to her foster home. The little tail was constantly going, like she knew, she got a new start in life.

A Wonderful Dog Story

I wrote about "Dustflake" last Thursday, September 4 th, that was found by friend and AWL sponsor/supporter Ylva, brought in their parco, then to LegaProAnimale for check and fix up.

Last Monday we picked her up, and it was a happy, playful and energetic "new"dog. I have never seen such a transformation in such a short time.

Ylva tells me she is wonderful. No accidents inside, she follows them, sleeps on her little bed in her "private" area inside the house. Nils, (pictured) she adores, and curls up to him, she doesn't say or do anything when he with his toddler hands pulls her leg or fur.

I always get amazed, and it never stops surprising me, how fantastic these "former" strays are, coming in from a life on the street, and adjust themselves with great love and admiration for their new family.

By the way, her name is WILMA

More people should see this, and explore it too. This is fantastico Amore!

AWL New Project "Dusty"

"Dustflake". Copyright (c) 2008 Ylva Drougge-Mercer



A couple of days ago I got a phone call from my friend --- and AWL-worker --- Ylva. With her bubbly voice she told me about her new "friend" a small skinny young female that was hanging around her street and gate. I told her to give this female dog water but not too close to her house or the dog would soon move in.

Ylva did so. Later I got a phone call, same exited voice, "Oh! She is so cute, I think I will feed her."

The next day, another even more exited phone call; "I have her in our garden, she is so lovely to me and my family. I want to give her something in return." Later, "I want to take her to the veterinarian and boost her health up, and fur and then take care of her."

Said and done! I made an reservation at the veterinarian station and picked up Ylva and "Dustflake" (don't worry, it is a working name) and drove her out to Lega Pro Animale where she will stay for three days getting sterilized, vaccinated, her leg checked... well, tutti.

"Dustflake" chose a great family with a lot of Amore! Dogs know these things!

Support From Animal Lovers

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

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

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

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

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

Lets give them an Amore home!

Max Got His Help

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

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

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

One Day of Different Feelings

Heard - Leaving an animal inside the car is against the law in the state of Texas.

Met - A beautiful Setter who was found in a bag together with her dead mother. She is such a loving soul, but the people might not keep her!!!

Vet.news - Results from the Lega Pro Animale Spay and Neuter day 18th July: 104 stray cats (76 female cats and 28 male) neutered free of charge.

Dislike - People who say they work for the animals' best interests but cannot cooperate and share with each other.

Saw - A mother teaching her son how to pet a dog/stray gently.

Feel - The sometimes fleeting notion that we are doing this out of Amore?

Children Giving a Helping Hand

Children amaze me, just like animals do! I love to watch how they can communicate together. Many times is their trust greater between them than it would have been with an adult.

Animals can heal children's broken souls, but also the children can heal animals' broken souls.

Cinderella was just a couple of weeks old when a couple found her in the trash outside their home. The man saw that something was wrong with the little dog with the big ears sticking up, he went closer to have a better look.

This little long hair chihuahua had a broken leg, and a massive hernia. Kicked, thrown out from a window into the garbage pile, or something equally horrible had happened to her.

The couple took her to the veterinarian at Lega Pro Animale who did a difficult, but ultimately successful surgery. No one thought this little dog would survive, because her hernia was so big.

Right now she is getting treated for tick disease with strong antibiotics and steroid shots, and of course Olivia's healing. When Olivia saw the dog she went right up to her, took her gently in her arms and just sat still and quiet... You could sense that something was happening between them. It was amazing to watch a little child's helping hand, two souls communicating.

We are all holding our paws and fingers crossed for Cinderella to get better.

What a strong will to live!

This is a really Cinderella Amore story!

Deadly Leishmaniasis Again

A man asked me if I knew someone who would like to adopt a Rottweiler that he and his wife had found standing in a big trash pile, eating garbage. They took her to an Italian veterinarian who did some examinations for 110 Euro, and now the couple was keeping the dog on their balcony (apartment) until they can find a home for her. He told me she was so sweet and he would keep her but they already had a big Rottweiler and with them living in an apartment it wouldn't work out very well.

She didn't have a collar, no microchip and she was very, very skinny! Could I help?



I asked if they got any medicine because I knew she would be full of worms? And did they draw blood to see if she was infected, maybe by the terrible virus Leishmania?



Nothing!



I gave him the phone number and address to Lega Pro Animale and told him that it would cost him less to go there and they would do a very thourough examination, but they would not be able to leave the dog there indefinetely. If we couldn't find a home the female dog would get de-wormed, vaccinated, spayed ... but put back were she was found.



I know it can sound hard but what would the other options be? Put her down?! Return her to the streets untreated and un-spayed?! That doesn't solve any problem, there are thousands strays roaming around having puppies who have puppies... ad nauseum.



This man went out there (to Lega Pro Animale) with the Rottweiler and had her checked with a blood test, and bittersweet result... yes the dog had Leishamaniasis and had to be put down.



This man didn't use our account Animals without Limits--I had told AWL could pay half--he paid the whole bill out of his own pocket.

Hopefully, his largess and big heart doesn't come back to bite him further... he introduced this dog into his apartment with his other dog, who could now be at risk as well from the Leishmaniasis disease. Even with a big heart (and available money) to help the animals... we still have to be careful!

This man has a big helping Amore heart! Thank you!

Yesterday a Bitter Sweet Day

I received an e mail from Cary at the Navy hospital asking if I could help them, by escorting a food donation to Centro Laila, the orphan home. Of course I wouldn't mind!


At the Navy Support Site, I met up with Cary, his wife, mother in law, and TV team and we headed out to the Center. Cary was the gentleman who had organized this food/child care item drive, collecting many boxes of food and things the orphans desperately need. I must say, the Americans and NATO personnel here are very compassionate, and gave a lot of goods for the children.


Cary rode with me in my car and on our way out to the Center, we spoke about various causes in the area, areas where children and animal are in need of help. We were nearly to Centro Laila, when suddenly I spotted a Yorkshire Terrier wobbling around in the middle of the street. Cars were just passing, not even thinking twice that they could hit this little dog, much less to stop and help him! I instinctively understood that the dog was sick since he was in the middle of the street. No healthy dog(s) would do that!


Hot weather, I thought, maybe... hopefully he was "just" dehydrated.


I hit my brakes, warning blinkers on, jumped out walking in the middle of the street ... waving my arms and gesturing to other drivers to stop! I had a jacket in the car, and I carefully laid it on the little dog, and gently lifted him into the car. No resistance or hesitation on his part, he trusted me, but also was very tired and sick. His eyes were full of yellow puss, glued together and his sight was limited at best.


He laid in the back of the SUV, drank a little water, and otherwise was gentle and good.


At Centro Leila it was wonderful to see everyone again. The children helped unload the van, and were genuinely thankful for the donations the nurses and doctors from the Navy Hospital were bringing to them.


A truly wonderful sight!


I left the orphanage, and called Dr.Friz at the Lega Pro Animale Spay & Neuter/ Veterinarian clinic. Luckily, she answered even if the office was closed, and it was her day off. I told her the story and asked if I could come in with the sickly Yorky.


The dog, still very gentle and quiet, trusted me in every move I made with him, moving him into the veterinarian clinic. I told the veterinarian team to try everything reasonable!


As it turns out, the little "Yorky" had Leishmaniasis and had to be put down to sleep. At least he did not have to suffer anymore; he avoided a painful death out there all alone, with our help.

A day of helping children in need at a loving orphanage, but with a old little Yorkshire Terrier that was likely cast out by his family to die alone because of a deadly disease endemic to this area.

A day with bitter sweet Amore!

Welcome home Trooper & Capri

Capri above, Todd & Trooper below. Copyright (c) 2008 Todd & Mia Mercer

We don't guess or think anymore that we are with dogs, now we know for sure; Two new family members will arrive today!

Papers are finally being signed--read below "Think we are with dog"--

The dog trainer Nando, and our friend Paola have put in a lot of time and phone calls, to reach the owner (former) and to have him sign over the ownership to us.

Trooper has been quarantined at Dr.Friz' clinic for eight days and is ready to come "home".

Welcome home Trooper!

Capri (born 2006) was found roaming around near the "Capo" airport (Capodichino) in 2007. And even if her cute face has been on the LegaProAnimale (Germany) adoption site, no one has picked her or expressed any interest in her. For one long year she's been waiting for a family (or person) to give her a home, friends and love.

Welcome home Capri!

Wish us good luck Amore!