AWL SPAY AND NEUTER PROJECT

These two dogs were brought by Giulia to have them spayed and neutered, since they always got puppies and lived on the street. We arranged appointment and paid for the visit and surgery.

The male had ehrlichiosis and couldn't be neutered, he is on a 30 day antibiotic treatment, and when healthy he will be castrated.

Thank you for sponsoring AWL so we can get the puppy population down.

Animals and Children: A GOVERMENTAL SHAME

Animals and Children: A GOVERMENTAL SHAME: Click on the link please.
"An Animoto-created video showing the horrible conditions in a governmental shelter in Campania (Napoli) Italy. Make your voice be heard agai..."

ONE LESS IN THE BRATT PACK

Our Brat-Pack, Gracey Lynn (German Shepherd), Ms Maple (beige), Billy Bob (black & brown Doberman mix) a funny gang. Well, it was time to say good-bye to our Gracey Lynn that had been with us for several months.
Not because of lack of families, we actually turned down three different families, because we didn't think the match was great for anyone, two-legged or four-legged.

Our Gracey Lynn, together with 5 other siblings was pushed down in a dirty bucket and left in a Park. The security called me, and Tammy went and picked them up and had them in her home for a couple of days. The pups were only about four weeks old. Then three were adopted and three moved in with us at the Hospice. They kept the oldies going--and us too.
Eventually, her two remaining siblings got adopted to the same family and left us with our little Gracey Lynn.

Gracey Lynn was the weakest, smallest and had strange things happening to her. She had a big water bubble-blister looking thing on her back leg, which made it hard for her to walk. Part of her tail looked like a rat's, hairless and scaly. But we treated her, gave her good food and attention--we forgot the discipline--

And she became an even more beautiful girl, our Gracey Lynn. From a little ball of fur, to a beautiful German Shepherd. So of course we were very picky with a new family. Martina my great animal friend, found a wonderful family up North that had been waiting for one month for Gracey Lynn. What I love about the family's "mom" was that she kept calling Martina asking "When is she coming, when?" When the original plans fell through for Gracey Lynn to go to the family on Christmas Eve, they actually cried.

Martina's lovely other half, Pio, came and picked up heavy, lively Gracey Lynn to bring her to the driver that would transport her up North.

And we got lovely pictures from a very happy family and a very happy Gracey Lynn.
That's Amore!

Thank you Kendra for your phone call alerting us to the abandoned pups; Tammy for picking them up and having them for one week. AWL for not rushing any adoption just to get rid of them; YOU who made the donations for food and vaccinations and de worming and Gracey Lynn's stay at the vet clinic and treatment. Todd for going to the hospice late evenings to cuddle up with the brat-pack and your favorite Miss Gracey Lynn; Martina for finding a good home and not picking "whatever"; Pio for going to the hospice early on the morning to get her to the driver. This is darn good teamwork Amore!

BRILLIANT DONATION

The most brilliant donation! Thank you so much Gabe, the facility manager and Angela Colling from Support Site Fitness Forum for all the exercise mats. What a wonderful donation to our Hospice.
That's Brilliant Amore!

WE GOT HOME CHRISTMAS FEELING

I am very behind in publishing great peoples help to AWL. I apologies!



It has been the most hectic December I ever had had in many years, and this was not about celebrating! Many phone calls about "soon" to be abandoned dogs from persons Pcs ing back home to the States.
People who abandoned their dog(s) that I had to turn in one complaint against their behavior. But AWL is not an Animal Police, please this is not our work, its every ones, you more people that say NO, you faster an animal law can be set up.



Some dogs has been taken cared off, and new home has been found. BUT again, we are not an adoption agency but it is heart breaking when a family doesn't bring their dog with them back home.



In this hectic and chaos moment, there are those who have been wonderful generous with their time to AWL too. Lynn and Trine made our hospice look more "home". Handy Trine brought her tool box and put the curtains up that Lynn had made (donation) It is beautiful that even people that visit think we live there...no no, only doggies.

Thank you Lynn and Trine for making the hospice feel "Home Sweet Home" That's Amore

ANOTHER RAINBOW WINGS HAVE BEEN HANDED OUT

I wrote last Thursday a memorial peace for Leo, that some dogs touches your inner soul even if you only have known them a short period time.

I cannot say I got that honor to do that with Contessa, a beautiful long-hair German Shepard between 10-13 years old. But her story touched me, deeply.

Two weeks ago a recieved a message about a German Shepard with an eye problem in a 400 dog shelter, could I help? Well, you who have followed the last bloggings about Contessa knows what I am talking about.


Let me give you a little bit more information about this shelter and the woman behind it, Adrianne. Adrianne has a shelter and the Goverment said to her if she could take some dogs from them when they had caught them on the street she would get finacial help. She did and they gave her 200 dogs and helped her and then the money stopped coming in. She wrote, she called, she visited it was always the same...tomorrow!

She wrote to the Italian newspaper and TV, they came out filmed and interviewed and said..."of course we will help...tomorrow!" Well tomorrow has now been over 2 years old and she has 400 dogs in cages that never come out.

There is nothing wrong with her love for them, but she is walking on her knees, her face is so tired and filled with wrinkles, and still she thanks me a lot.

I introduced Simona and Martina to her shelter and they together with other girls are doing difficult work but doing it great, trying to adopt out dogs.



So, Contessa was in this shelter, a dog that the Government deposited with Adrianna. Her right eye becomes diseased, and starts to swell within the socket, turning this ugly redish-blackish color. Tumor!
Martina asks if we can help, and provide a place for Contessa to recover at the Hospice. That's how I came to know and care for Contessa.


Contessa got her surgery and I picked her up in the evening. I was so proud how after only a few days, she recognized my voice. She followed me as a little puppy and when she wagged her tail, I was so proud over her.



I had warm feelings for her, I could see her beauty and I couldn't wait to get her better, or comfortable and she could walk with me on the grass and lay in the sun a little.

She had been in this shelter on the conrete floor since 2003, I wanted so much more for her.




We did everything according to the book. Made sure she wasn't suffering, blood test, ultra sound, x-ray and an eye specialist. But the Universe wanted somthing else.


The night when I went to the hospice to say good night to all the residents and Contessa, she was curled up by the radiater on a matteress and pillow. She lifted her face when she heard me coming in the stairs, it made me smile. She ate wet food and I petted her gentlely and told her I was proud over her.


The next day she had a bad sezuire that scared me when I saw it. I knew this was a severe one; I could tell from my experience with Cody. She got an veterinarian order for vallium and she slept. Nine hours later, she had another seizure that made her heart stop. Her life stopped suddenly without any warnings or explanations, only sadness.


I know this is my work and having a hospice and sick old clients this will happen. But it doesn't mean I won't feel anything, I do, because I care for them, I love them.

It is not an institution, it is Casa della Amore. The day that I stop crying for these souls, you will have to give me another job, because that is not Amore.


"Contessa, there was something special about you and in my dreams I wanted you to become better and either stay in the hospice forever, or Martina and I we would have found you a wonderful home.
Now you are together with Leo and the others with your rainbow wings. Rest in Peace, dear Contessa. I love you. "

A WONDERFUL SOUL IS HAVING THE RAINBOW COLORS

I think it was last summer I met Leo for the first time in Monterochello. He was a free stray, 15 years old and the people in the neighborhood all knew him. A lady fed him, an animal friend kept an eye on him, this was his life. He was known as being grumpy. If you tried to pet him he limped away, irritated. But he was loved.

Maria contacted Martina and me if we could help Leo, he started to become lame and he had fungus and other things, like erlichia. I met him and saw something behind that "evil eye." To put Frontline on him you had to come up behind him very quickly and put it on before he realized what was happening. He was quick around the parked cars and disappeared. I didn't know what to say. This was his life!

He got to Dr. Lungo for an examination. In they carried him in a cage wearing a muzzle. Leo was angry!

Medicine was provided and back with him but Maria had difficulty to give it to him.

Finally we got our Hospice and Leo was the first one I wanted. They carried him in the same cage and he had the same look. He limped out from the cage and went as fare as possible away from us laying in a corner of the garden with his back towards us. We could not touch him.

All right, I told him he could hear me and when he felt comfortable he could come and talk to me. After three days, I could wipe of his face, I could massage his side of his head--he love that-- and after one week I could give him a bath. Leo was my love! He was the biggest soul I had met in a long time, gentle and sweet, very quiet.

A week later I gave him his first bath. He didn't touch me! He was a true gentleman. Everyone loved Leo. He looked like Obiwan in Star wars with his black ears going out to the sides when he was happy to see us. He never wagged his tail that was his balance when he walked. It stood right out.

He hadn't played for years. Suddenly he stole the toys and came trotting like an 80 year old Fred Astaire. He hadn't been inside a house, and it took over a month till he walked inside but still wanted to sleep outside.

I never pushed Leo. I gave him good food and painkillers as needed, but a lot of love. He saw that in our eyes when we spoke to Leo.

The last month he slept inside because it was cold and rainy a lot. And Lena had sent him a special wonderful winter coat that he loved. He felt beautiful--since we kept telling him that--and he was toasty warm.

He was my friend. When drama happened during the day, Leo and I sat outside and we talked. I felt he many times said "Is this person worthy of your friendship?"

His back legs started to become weaker and one day his back leg seemed paralyzed. He couldn't walk! It broke my heart to see him and Leo who had been a strong man and survived many obstacles didn't want to become lame. You could see how he disliked being pampered like a baby. No, Leo was a Ranger and it was with big resistant I let him go...

I love you so much Leo. There are some you meet for a short period in life but it feels like forever. Thank you for teaching me about having a "backbone" myself. You are the only dog where I still feel that you are with me, on my mission, in the hospice, in my home. I am so thankful Leo that you are not leaving my side. That's Amore, my friend!

A TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY

The day before Christmas I received a phone call from our veterinarian Dr Damiani. An Italian lady had brought in a dog to his clinic with American tags and microchip. The lady could not foster him, could I? Of course with 20 dogs one more could not hurt, I understood that many people during the Christmas holidays absolutely don't want to deal with new "problems." For me and my family it is Christmas, show a helping hand!

I drove there and Dr Damiani and Dr Lungo had found out the name of the US owner on the microchip but there was one problem, the owner had left the country in 2004!

Ok, now I see why people don't want to get involved too much, you can get stuck with a stranger in your home.

Bruno was his name, and he came home with me and was great together with all the dogs that swormed him sniffing his butt.

For days he followed be, he refused to go out if I didn't go out with him. He wined by the door until I came home. He was a sweetheart, so polite, no accidents in the house, funny to play catch with.

Everything was closed for the holidays, and no one wanted to give out information over Christmas and New Years.

When trying to find information about the owner it became discovery learning: "Eh, we don't know if he is still in the NAVY" or "Well so many years have gone you can keep him if you want to." There is no process in place to locate past owners when this sort of situation comes up.


I refused! Yes we have many, too many abandoned animal stories, but if we stop searching for the good endings we have failed. I said "if it was his wife missing you would find him in a heartbeat!"

These people I talked with were never rude, simply not knowing what to do or how to proceed and go full force.

I sent messages, searching and when you believe in a miracle....one happens.

My veterinarian called me yesterday and said, "I had to take the bus into the clinic. When I walked to the clinic there on a wall is Bruno's picture with a missing note." The owner was looking for him!

It was incredible. Jake is the person registered on base as the owner, he had had Bruno for 2 years and then his wonderful landlords Mena with husband had been taking him over. For 7 years Bruno has stayed with them in their home. Just before Christmas, the other American family drove out from their Parco and didn't see Bruno running after their car. That's how he got lost.

As a present to them I bought, an Italian microchip that Dr Lungo implanted the same evening. Now, if Bruno gets out again, it will be easier to find his rightful home. And the generous family gave AWL a donation for our commitment and care for the dogs, stray or not...That's Amore

And Bruno's original master? Jake is still in the US Navy and was just here visiting a couple of months ago. The family wasn't aware that the microchip was in Jake's name on base, and hadn't registered Bruno in the Italian system. It wasn't what it appeared, an all-too-familiar case of abandonment. Instead it was an example of doing things almost right.

Everyone can now relax, Bruno is back home. I have to admit, I got attached to the little fellow. What a guy!

PREPARATION BEFORE A SURGERY CONTESSA

We had to examine Contessa more thoroughly before making any further decisions for her eye surgery. Dr Lungo (at Dr. Damiani clinic) greeted me and they had hired in Dott. Fortunata Farina to make an ultrasound. Dott. Fortuna Farina was a lovely lady, with a good attitude having great charisma.

Ultra sound showed big mammary glands tumors , and abnormal glands. Also something small on her lung. So we are scheduling a surgery Wednesday, and hiring in eye specialist Alexandria and one anesthesiologist to remove the eye. The rest we will have to deal with later.

Thank you beautiful team, Dott. Farina, Dr. Lungo and Rebecca (veterinary technician) for helping and working hard for those who doesn't have an owner. That's Amore. You are true caring veterinarians.

CONTESSA OUR NEW CLIENT

You could read about Contessa on one earlier blog. Contessa is now at our hospice recovering. She gets to sleep inside, on a bed and with her own pillow; fantastic nutritious food with extra vitamins for old, abused dogs. She can be alone and rest. No longer in a 400 dog shelter, in a cage on a concrete floor were no one sleeps. Shelters here are like prisons! As an inmate, you have to stand guard: over your bed, your food --- others can come and attack you--they want your space.

She was breathing heavy at the veterinarian clinic, but that is understandable too. The shelter, as horrible as it is, is her only safety zone she knows of, she doesn't understand the future, only the past.

Now since Thursday she is up on her legs walking and have met the other hospice kids, and it went very well. Calm and easy!

However, her blood test didn't come out great. She is anemic, and her liver test is lousy.

Monday, we have scheduled an x-ray and ultra sound appointment at 16.30 to see how her inner body looks like. If she is full of cancer, we will have to take another direction.

She is not in pain, probably some discomfort, but we are giving her eye drops at least 5 times a day to keep the "eye" moistened, and thus not too annoying for her. It is how it looks like that gives other people "pain" its ugly and its nasty. When we see something that looks horrible we want to take it away, it hurts our stomach, our inner feelings.

We are not keeping clients that are in pain alive just for the sake of being alive, that is against our beliefs. But we believe in giving one a chance if the there is hope and no undue suffering. Together with experienced veterinarians, we decide what is best for our clients, even if it looks ugly. That's Amore!