Cleaning Everything Mission

This morning we drove out to Rossella Shelter for cleaning rescue dogs. Ten of us had got out of bed this beautiful Saturday, and we had shampoo bottles (Thank you Keegan) and towels (Jackie) with us.

The shelter dogs were happy to see us, even if we only come every second Saturday. Rossella who has the shelter was very tired, we could clearly see. She had gotten more dogs than her little place can take. But people drive out and tie their dogs up at her gate. She has approximately 90 dogs in her 30 cages. It was smelly, and at least 2 million flies everywhere. I felt like I was in Africa! They crawled into the mouth, our drinks and snacks were covered, black. I kept looking around after dead bodies!

Worms in different sizes, and orange red poop! (When one dog brings in worms, before long, they all have them.) Today it was the worse day in a long time.

The AWL team, Eric, Don, Lindy, Rebeca, Kristin, Olivia, Kristine, Jackie, Keegan ... I am so proud of you guys. You did a fantastic job today, not complaining, not giving up.

AWL cleaned the cages; walked the dogs, cleaned and trimmed the dogs, and loved up on them. Thank you for giving them a hope, and a new smell. I love you all.

Rosella's fridge broke down, so now the fear is that the vaccinations and other medicine will go bad (and open food cans). We need de-worming, leashes, collars, shampoo...and a hospice for many of the dogs to recover at. Please help me, this day was so over whelming in helplessness, I cannot do this alone.

Is there some amore out there for this effort?

AWL in the Newspaper

Our clean up days at the "terrible shelter" are getting acknowledged in Panorama. (page 6 and 11)

• I will also thank Erika Sundman who was the one who made AWL aware of the "terrible shelter".
• Ylva Mercer who cleaned like a man, and made lunch like a woman.
• Kath for 10 big Clorox cans.
• Zina for your dog care package.
• All the wonderfull workers who toiled over the 2 days of effort.
  

And to all you who donated so that we could buy all the medicine, a big amore THANK YOU!

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.