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.

Shelter Mission Team Work

The team assembles for the cataloging effort. Copyright (c) 2009, Mia Mattsson-Mercer. All Rights Reserved.


Today we started with our 1st program with the rescue shelter. We are documenting all the dogs that are inside this shelter, many of whom are in pain of some kind. It was a horrible view, it becomes worse every time you visit, and I was not the only one who thought that.


One veterinarian was with us and it was very interesting that he and I we had the same opinion. Even if I am not a veterinarian, I have worked next to vets for a long time, and have come to share their feelings in these situations.


This day was "bittersweet." We got job done, one step on the dirt path, but so bloody darn so helpless. Our hearts were aching the whole time.


Today, thank you Helene (Wales) for babysitting Olivia and Max so I could be on the mission. When I offered money, she said; "no no, I am just happy to help." You are so big hearted and Olivia cried when you left.

The Italian team, gosh we worked great together, here was a lot of "old" experiences no explanations needed, we just worked.

Todd, my husband....your pictures today to document the dogs, fantastic...we were all impressed by how you had built up the documentation/catalog of dogs.


Today was a bittersweet Amore day, still we have to work on program 2.

Mission Shelter

Pictures and text Copyright (c) 2009, Mia Mattsson-Mercer. All Rights Reserved

Went out to the shelter today. I nearly cried when I saw where we had found our new dog, Dexter. He was born in this shelter, in that cage on the picture, and for probably 4 years he sat in this dark, damp stinky cage.

I asked the lady why she brought in and kept the dogs in this horrible situation, "I didn't want them to be hit by a car!" she said.

Amore can kill!

New Dogs

for adoption on my blog, please visit www.mytailwagsforyou.blogspot.com

Amore sweet.

What a Day!

AWL had our first meeting with a fantastic group of Italian animal workers and the project "terrible shelter" is ON! Finally after searching for the right connection and people, being mislead to wrong people we have found the right ones. And today we sat down and talked about what to do at the "terrible shelter".

These people have a working knowledge of the shelter, and the "back story" or history behind it. It is not simple and is terrifying when you hear the background. Once the mission is completed I will write you all the whole story, we are still kind of egg-shell walking at the moment.

But these ladies and we are starting off this Tuesday with plan 1, I can tell you more about that Tuesday evening when we are back. Your generous donations have not been used yet, we are having them ear marked until the middle of January, when our big operation starts, plan 2.

Dexter, our new dog, we knew that he must have had some difficulty in the past, since he is very afraid of hands and people and noise. He is great with other dogs, though.

One of the ladies we met with today, has his sister and is very involved in this mission. Dexter was born several years ago in this cage where we found him. He has never seen freedom until now!

Our wonderful Dexter, no wonder he doesn't go out by himself, he is scratching the door in panic! He sleeps nearly the whole day in our guest bed, and he keeps away from us humans at a good distance. When you are finally reaching him he lays down and freezes. Our little Dexter was for several years kept in this terrible cage in this terrible shelter. He is such a good boy--even if he is peeing quiet often inside--but what the "pumpkin" what does he know differently?

Today it was a lot of Amore, a better day.

Amore Letter

Tonight I got a very nice e mail (who sends letters today?) from another Animal Lover that I would like to share with you ......

"I read your blog today and it sounds like you had a really rough day fighting the fight for our animal friends.
I know from experience, (not nearly as much as you!) that getting out there and trying to do some good can be tiring, frustrating, disheartening, infuriating and downright sad.
For all that is evil in this world, it is important to take a pause for inspiration. Remember there are millions upon millions of animal lovers who do good in this world and there are happy animals experiencing all that is good us humans have to offer them.

Take a moment and visit this link. Pick any one of the thousands of videos on the site. They are silly and funny, and makes your heart warm. And then tomorrow, wake up renewed and ready to fight again another day for all those animals less fortunate than these precious angels.

http://www.stupidvideos.com/videos/animals/
Keep your head up, you are doing an amazing job.
xoxo
kath

Left to Die

One of "my new puppies".

Some would think "it" was better off, to die....Is it a good Amore thing, not to know what life "it" could have brought you? A life in misery....or a warm Amore family life? We never now, why assume then?

What a Couple of Days

I don't know were to begin...and I don't really want to begin. I am not making any sense here, am I?

New Years day me and my family went out on a "food mission". People were sleeping so it was kind of a dead town(s). The dogs could be left alone hunting for food. They needed the break after the night before being bombarded with fireworks from all directions.

We stopped by at many dog families and fed them.

My heart ached even if I should be happy, we were checking them out and they got food, but to see so many strays, it kills your heart. I don't mind them being strays, but to survive so many hard obstacles on the way in life is sad; food, sickness, traffic and #1 the human evilness.

"My" puppies that we've been feeding in the skeleton house were not there, driven off by the fireworks, I surmise. I hope they will come back now that the environment is generally quiet.

Yesterday I got one bad phone call after another. Can we help; puppies, strays that are sick, no money....what can I tell these people to comfort them? How can I comfort myself?

Last night on our way home from a dinner, my husband half joked by saying; "Want to go and see if the puppies are there?"

"oh YES!"

Sure it was a little late, Max was sleeping and Olivia was happy to get chocolate when I jumped out to buy dog food at a food store.

To my happiness, and relief, the puppies were there when we arrived in the dark and in high heels in the mud I fed them. What a joy and they were hungry my little barking angels.


Today me, Olivia and Helene went out on a mission. We started out with the puppies since I knew they were back and more hungry. Then too, I wanted to start the morning with joy.

They greeted me and ate like hungry lions. Suddenly, we heard like kittens screaming. We ran to the other skeleton house, a big black and white dog ran towards us and out. That's when I saw it......a brace of night-old puppies, now screaming even worse after their mommy.


Oh "prosciutto" I pushed Olivia and Helen out of the skeleton and wanted to make sure mommy dog saw us leaving. I have to go over there later today with a small box for them, they will freeze to death at night on the cold concrete. I still hear their little screams and I see the awful place they are laying in and my feeling is; "doomed to death."

We drove to another place, like a fenced in place with a lot of garbage, broken glass and when we stooped a big beautiful reddish German Shepard and a black and brown Chihuahua mix jumped out crawling in front of our feet. Disgusting feelings of helplessness inside of me while feeding them. The German Shepard you could count the ribs....he was so thin, this beautiful friendly young male.

What a terrible place I am in....I see why people are ignoring this, it is eating you up.


Then to another place (we are driving in a circle) normally 3 young dogs, but today only two. Helene had been there last night and heard a dog in need howling, but couldn't do anything in the dark. It is terrible area with mafia, prostitution and all the broken glass. Some month ago it was a war between mafia and the black people, many got killed.

Carrying Olivia we tried to walk around calling to see, but nothing. We gave the two young ones food while standing up to our knees in garbage. You cannot move away to a "cleaner" spot, it is junk every were. I didn't want Olivia to walk and get hurt.


The Labradors that we sought help for earlier on the blog, getting a foster home are back on the street. When we came one of the Labrador ran out on the four-lane road, hectic traffic and no one stops. She got hit by a car as we watched in horror!

She took off, and went into hiding somewhere, we looked and we searched, nowhere could we find her.


So now, Saturday I will have to pack in my family in the car and instead of taking them to a play ground, we will go out searching for wounded dogs, feed some and give the hours-old puppies a little house. I hope it is not too late!


Where is Amore in this New Year?

Hero Dog Inspires Swedish Songsters

Remember George the heroic Jack Russell terrier who gave his life last year at Manaia protecting children from savage pit bulls?
He's been immortalised in bronze, received a posthumous SPCA bravery award, and a Vietnam vet's Purple Heart medal.
Now a Swedish pop group, the Talkabouts, have written and recorded a song about the brave little dog.
Titled Dog George, it's on their first album, Storytellers, released this month.

George, who lived with Alan Gay, was out walking with the kids next door on Sunday, April 29, when two pit bulls menaced them.
George tried to fend them off but was so badly injured he had to be put down by a vet. Band leader Mikael Ranggard was in Australia when the dramatic story of George's last stand flashed around the world. He has a "hard-nosed" Jack Russell himself, named Zigge.
"The story really moved me. Zigge would probably do the same for me and my family if we were threatened," he said.
They wrote the song in a sauna at Mikael's cottage on the Bothnian Sea, up near the Arctic Circle, drinking beer and with Zigge for inspiration.
"I told the story, we dwelled over Zigge's ability to defend us, we had a guitar and a harmonica and that was that. Zigge is unique even by Swedish standards. He loves the sauna."

Alan, who is now 71, heard the song yesterday, and was moved to tears as he listened to it yesterday.
"I still miss George a wee bit, he's not there in the mornings," Mr Gay said. "I haven't really thought about another dog because I don't like dogs that aren't trained and that takes me a lot of time.
"George was well trained, he knew he wasn't allowed uptown on his own, that's why he was with those kids."
He said he'd love to meet the Talkabouts if they ever get to New Zealand. And that is being ked about, says Mikael Ranggard.
By RICHARD WOODD

Firecrackers

Gosh I hate them! Ever since I got Tjojs, my 13 year-old dog have I hated fire crackers.

Tjojs became so scared, and would take off in panic in the middle of the city: Stockholm, Sweden. With heavy traffic, nothing would stop her, not even me calling, or yelling in a panic myself.

In Stockholm they would start with the darn fire crackers in the middle of December and continue until middle of January. It was a nightmare during this time.

It made me start thinking of the other poor animals that became scared, and the babies that didn't understand what that big terrible wising different noise was.


I celebrated one New Year in Switzerland with no fire crackers from anybody; at midnight all the churches started to play their bells. It was magic, it was beautiful and no animals got scared, and not even people got their fingers burned off.

Working with my foundation AWL, in Bosnia made me see another dark side of the use of firecrackers. At the zoo, the brown bear Mrki alone in his cage, some teenagers threw in firecrackers, laughing while he danced out of abject fear and frightfulness.

And today in Italy, after all the dogs got crazy when the people blew off a whole factory-full of fireworks (it felt like that), and we stood up in our beds as they popped and exploded and whizzed from midnight until well past 1:00 am. (ok I am an old mom sleeping at 2100 and even if it wasn't because I was old I don't care about midnight anymore)

This morning, still sleepy, we drove to feed the puppies. They were gone!

Devastated I called, and called for them. We waited.

No puppies came out, greeting me like they had done the day before.

The puppies are normally jumpy about a lot of things, of course they reacted at this night with the hell broken loose. And even today this shit was continued to be thrown by many teenagers (and a few adults, too).

Garbage problem here in Naples, today it looked like a "pumpkin" war had ended.


For many years many people have wanted fire crackers not to be sold. Petitions have been signed, some politicians have said they would make a big show that could be seen by many Amore people, and done by professionals.

But nothing. One can still buy them in the stores. Why?

MONEY of course! Not amore for others and for the animals, to be sure.