Veckans Krönika Tidningen Nära Web Varför hjälpa djuren när det finns människor som lider?

Att man hjälper och ger är det enda rätta, om det så är till en person, ett djur eller till vår jord. Vi delar alla samma plats." Krönikören Mia Mattsson-Mercer berättar i sin senaste krönika om sin tid i Sarajevo efter kriget och varför hon räddar djur när det finns människor som lider.

That's Amore!

 Foto Sarajevo efter kriget. Jag blir intervjuad av TV Sarajevo för att AWL hjäper djur. (Sarajevo after the war. Being interviewed by TV Sarajevo about AWL work after the war)

AWL were together with children too. Helping and creating!

Veckans krönika kan Ni läsa här 

OUR MINI HOSPICE DREAM WILL COME TRUE

I have known this "surprise" for quiet some time.
Actually already last year. Spring is coming and we are ready to build.


Our wonderful AWL sponsor Craig Kleber have been one of
AWL's longest and generous sponsor.
Last year he stepped in and told us he wanted to donate 2500 euro
so AWL could build their mini Hospice.

We are forever  grateful for everything that Craig does.

The donation are made in Craigs father' name Louis "Chuck" Kleber
and the little Hospice house be named "Casa Valeria" after my mother,
an animal lover and her parents were also from Naples

That's Amore.//Mia

We will start building one, and it will be in big garden area attached to a house so the sick dog can be monitored 100%

Thank you Craig your heart for animals is HUGE heart emoticon
Craig Kleber from Brentwood, LA, USA

FANTASTIC ARTICLE FROM MAGAZINE HARLIGA HUND

Amazing proud am I. The Swedish Magazine Harliga Hund made a fantastic article about me and my lovely team AWL down in Italy. You can buy it in the Swedish stores.

I am very humble and proud. Thank you journalist Katarina Arnstad, Stockholm Sweden.

Interview about Animals Without Limits

Recently, David Bailey, MBE, conducted an interview with Animals Without Limits' Public Relations Director during some Social Media training. Here is the interview, posted on David's blog.

Pa-Law The Sofa Amore

Sometimes we also need "very" sunny stories. Let me share one with you this morning. Bruce is a fantastic guy that helped/worked with Animals Without Animals when we cleaned and helped dogs in the terrible shelter back in January/February. (earlier blog)

Hey Mia,
Here's my new pup!! His name is Pa'Lon (pronounced Pa-Law). Tony, who owns the hardware on JFC, found him on the interstate. He's about three months old, very well behaved and loves my sofa!! He's also very smart.
He's a very calm puppy and responds to commands like a well trained dog.
I'm so excited to have him!! I'm getting him registered this week. He gets along happily with my cat Shakespeare.

This is a "very" Amore sofa. Good Luck Guys!

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.

Merry U.S. Christmas

Two Happy former strays!

I want to thank you, all blog readers that are following my thoughts, opinions and work. And, also to thank you all who bought my books (privately). All the money from these sales go to Animals Without Limits work. http://www.animalswithoutlimits.com/

My Amore thank you, I hope you will continue to read and support my blog (and our work).

Please Help US & Them

After you watched this video, contact me and tell me you want to help Animals Without Limits. We will pay for the medical costs, YOU pay with your love, Amore!

Mission Possible Team

From left; Erika Sundman, Mia Mattsson-Mercer, Dog Zara, Veterinarian Inga Vetrell, and my Princess Olivia.
We are some of the " Amore Team Mission Possible" Animals Without Limits!

Thank You

Animals Without Limits want to thank Ylva and her husband David for their generous gifts, dog food, blankets from Ikea, leashes and collars. Good Luck with your new family friend "Former Stray" Wilma!

We salute you molto Amore!

AWL Meets Max

Today Animals without Limits met Pit bull Max, a super sweet Pit bull that has lived as a "stray" for nine years since his former American owner dumped him. This is not an unusual case, many international people come here, stay for three years adopts a stray (or a puppy) then when it is time to go back home, they dump the dog. If asked why, they will likely say "that the dog had a good home being fed for three years 'he' should be happy!"

Max has had lucky neighbors in "his" Parco who let him stay there. Now an English lady is feeding him and he has his little doghouse to sleep in. Unfortunately, she is leaving next April and English law doesn't allow her to import a Pitt bull (or else she would in a heartbeat).

Max has arthritis and needs medical help. Animals without Limits (AWL) has decided to step in and help with the medical bill. We will bring him in to a veterinarian (together with his feeder since he knows her), have him checked and then get him medicine so he can live his last years without any pain and uncomfortable sleep. You know how it can be to get out of bed with stiff legs!

Max you have been proving your great Amore for the people of your parco for a long time, let us give you pain-free Amore for awhile!

Animals without Limits Update

Animals without Limits will hopefully soon have its own web site. We bought the domain and hope to find a web-designer that can help us create a fresh new AWL homepage. Shortly, AWL will also have its own blog to update news and projects and donations.


Food donations are coming in. Some persons buy a bag of dog/cat food every time they go and food shop. At some stores there are dog food that are 50% off. I bought two bags yesterday.


We got three bags of blankets from Naples Friends of Animals. Fantastic! Thank you so much to Genni (President), and her husband, Jason for taking your time and driving them over to our house. Genni and Jason are busy and doing wonderful things for the NFOA organization, together with "some" volunteers. And, they still have time to think and help the AWL. That is big!


The number of road killed animals are "low" this season (July/August) because of the high heat. The dogs roams around at 0400 in the morning, and the number of cars are very few by that time. It probably doesn't hurt that in August, all of Italy seems to go on vacation... so perhaps less traffic as well. There sure is less traffic in front of our house, thank goodness.

But the number of dogs suffering from de-hydration and strokes are getting higher, and the dogs become an easier target from some peoples' cruelty.


Please put a bowl of fresh water outside, a little further away from your house so they can drink.

That will bring Amore to thirsty Amore

Stars & Stripes Article

You can read about Animals without Limits on line... and about me and my family.

Thank you Ms Sandra Jontz for helping the animals to have a voice.

This is journalist Amore!

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!

Supporting Animal Workers

Today I got a very touching e mail from Bella, a blog reader together with a donation for the Animals without Limits. It touched my heart when she wrote and I quote;

"I love to read your blog, it is the best blog in the word. I have been a little shy to make a comment but I think of you and your family. Especially now, when Ranger passed away, it must have been very difficult. And now new family members, it can't be easy, but wow what joy animals are giving us! I have read all your books and your blog! I am checking it out nearly every day, exited to see what you have been writing. I was without a computer for 2 months and I missed to read your stories. I want to do more for the animals but don't know how? I wish I could be more like you, to really change things for the animals. I have now decided to donate to your foundation every month"

Bella, I know your feeling and I think whatever you do for the animals you never feel that you are doing enough. I am myself struggling with that thought many times..."What more can I do? Why don't I see better and faster results?"

Another e mail today from a great animal worker Siw Agren shared somewhat the same feelings,

"I have worked forty years (40) for Animals Rights now and am very politically engaged, working to have better laws for the animals and to get a law that convicts people whom are having sex involving animals. Our farm minister is not at all interested to put in a law....you get surprised!"

We are all doing something when we start with the thought,"I want to help!"

Your e mails (and comments) really motivate me to continue working for the animals, of course the donations are helping tremendously, too. Please never apologies for the amount you are donating, every dollar, Euro, dime, kronor ... are so welcomed and will be well used.

Without you I cannot do anything. That is why Animals without Limits are we, you are part of the foundation Animals without Limits.

I dis-like when I hear Animal workers from different organizations and foundations take their own credit; that "I" adopted out dogs, or "I" paid the bills, etc. As far as I'm concerned, all of you out there are the ones making it possible for "us" to do different kinds of tasks for the animals. It is not me, it is us!

That's "we" Amore!

Animals without Limits

Went out on a mission today--like my daughter loves to say "mission"--and to the same area as usual. We just got into the neighborhood when this three (3) month old puppy was running around in stress in a lot of glass, trying to escape the big four (4) lane road that was next to her.

We approached her slowly, making sure we had the road behind us. I have seen many people approaching dogs from the sidewalk --and the dog doesn't know if you are a friend or an enemy-- In many cases the dog tries to escape by running out in the street. Of course, that can have terrible consequences, and would be exactly what we don't want to have happen.

We saw some blood on the puppy, and she looked very skinny. We could see more than thirty (30) ticks crawling and biting her. In her ears they were crawling on top off each other.

Private escort in my big Chevy Suburban to Dr Friz' veterinarian clinic. Blondie (as we named her) has to stay there for five (5) days. A big health check up, vaccination and sterilization will be done. Then she should be ready for a loving family!

It is very important to get a proper health check. If having children at home, or other animals, it is even more important. You don't know what you are bringing in that can affect your "kids", and even those of us with unlimited amore need to protect our families.

Animals without Limits (established 1999) is not an adoption foundation, but when finding sick dogs we will do our best to help that fellow to find a new home after he/she is healthy and spayed.

Naples Friends of Animals are working with adoptions and helping animals in need in this area.

This is "we all are helping" Amore! There should be no competition Amore here!

Whom to Rescue?

Is a tough question, and it is always individual, from dog to dog, situation to situation.

Animals without Limits are out on the streets conducting research, feedings and helping sick dogs. Last Sunday we drove out around 10.00 in the morning, and that was already too late in the day. Street dogs are up early out on their "hunt" before humans even start to wake up. But it was a lovely view to see big old dogs laying comfortably in the sun, sunbathing their fat bellies.

Many off these dogs would have their hearts broken if we took them and replaced them at this late stage in their lives. They have "survived" many years on the streets; they know the people around them, and the people are comfortable with them as well. They are getting fed and have an old blanket somewhere under some concrete blocks, or in the shade.

It also depends in what area the "oldies" are living, and the people's mentality in that area.

My partner-in-rescue Kath came up with a great mission idea for these content, fury fellows. Why not bring a supply of flea, tick and mosquito drops?

With the summer coming they will get many mosquito bites, fleas and ticks. Like Kath said,

"We can make their days more comfortable by not being itchy and also possibly avoid being infected with leishmaniasis and tick borne diseases. It may be just enough of a fighting chance for some of these guys to get through the summer healthy."

This is Amore thinking!