Moving into the New House

Wednesday was the first night in our new house in Southern Italy and it is huge and beautiful. The moving company guys were fantastic and did a quick job with a smile on their faces the whole day. When we chose the house the first time, six bedrooms and five bathrooms seemed a lot, but with all the cartons and furniture, we filled up the rooms very quickly. Now we wonder where to put the guests?

Picking up two of our dogs from the kennel was a true joy--the other two had stayed with us at the hotel the whole time.

It wasn't just us who had missed them, Ranger the big black Labrador had dug huge holes in the lady's yard trying to escape. Both ran out to the car fast as two canon balls.

Right now am I sitting at a food court using WiFi since we don't have any Internet connection in our house. And, I don't know when we will get it installed, so please be patient if I don't get to answer your e mails as quick as I would like to, our updating this blog.

A True Hero

I got this article sent to me by a friend, and I want to share it with you all.

Four Legged Hero

Bored Teenagers

Aftonbladets picture

Two teenagers wanted to have some fun, so they put Adam the kitten on fire. Now Adam is fighting for his life.

Santa Rosa California, Adam 3-months-old, was sitting in a cage outside an apartment, when two girls, 15-years-old were passing. The girls saw him and "wanted to have some fun" and drenched the kitten in gasoline and turned him in to a burning torch.

A young boy heard the kitten's screams and got him out, and took him to the Cotati Hospital. According to them this is the most difficult burn damaged patient they ever had.

Please send Adam your thoughts and prayers for healing.

Congratulation!

I got great news last night! My friends in North Carolina got a new family member.

Kid (to the left) is a German Shepard mix, 9-month-old.

Pippi (right) was adopted over one year ago.

I know Kid will have a wonderful life, and my heart is happy that he will stay with this family and have an awesome life.

Congratulation my friends!

Mother Earth is Crying

U.S. embassy warns about the city's health and safety issues.
Well that is comforting and loving to hear!!
I was reading the newspaper, and this didn't surprise me after seeing all the garbage laying around that it is a huge problem.
What are we doing with Mother Nature, Mother Earth?

"U.S. embassy in Rome has warned U.S. citizens they may face a health risk in Italy's southern Campania region due to the garbage crisis that has filled streets with piles of rubbish. Open fires with potentially toxic fumes, and/or sporadic public demonstrations by local residents attempting to block access to dumps. The fault of political mismanagement, conflicting interest and organized crime--guess that is the Mafia--
Last month the European Commission took legal action against Italy over the thousands of tonnes of uncollected waste, saying it posed serious health and environmental risks through the spread of disease and through pollution of air, water and land."

Information from newspaper Panorama 2007

Living in Italy

We are busy getting settled in to our new house. But we are frequently visitors at IKEA, it's our tourist place!

Still staying in "our" hotel until late in the week, when our belongings get delivered. Here, the electricity is going on and off in the evenings, the elevator stops, TV shuts off and you are working on the computer. It is very enjoyable when this happens every 15 minutes. Well, I got to know yesterday from an American lady that told me this happens a lot during the summer because "the Americans" are using so much air condition. Oops!

Speaking about air conditioning....I noticed that it is a big difference between loving and disliking that thing. Many wives are saying the same, "I hate that darn noisy sound and that it is ice cold when I get up to check on the children."

And the men, " I had such a great sleep. My head was cold and nice when I woke up."

I have to agree with the women, I like to have the doors and windows open and feel the nice breeze sweeping in, and in the morning hear the birds singing.

Our Internet is sometimes on and sometimes you cannot get any connection. Very frustrating for someone who is spoiled by always having a great connection. We heard that it can take up to one month before we get a phone line hooked up in to our new house...and only then can they even tell us if we can get internet (ADSL)! Ah, one must simply accept this is the way in Italia, there is no fighting it. And August is the big vacation time for the Itailans, most off the things will stand still.

It is a very different living here but I am sure we will love it.

Have a great summer!

Dog Fighting

This dog was one of 52 pit bulls seized from Michael Vick's property. ©The HSUS

Below is very important letter from Wayne Pacelle President & CEO The Humane Society of the United States. Please take time and read it and make an action today. You always ask what YOU can do...here is one thing.

When I worked in Bosnia we had a lot of problems with dogfighting. Some veterinarians where sitting in the cars stitching dogs up after the dogfights were over. These veterinarians earned a lot of money from the criminal dogfighting owners. Once I found a dog that was still alive, half his face bitten away and most of his back. Still alive, he looked at me with tired painful eyes. Still, seven years later I can feel the pain.

One pit bull female that had so much old scares from fights was "done" as a "dog." The owner threw her out of the balcony from the eight floor.

So this problem is everywhere, and You can do something about it, please help them with your voice.

Tell the NFL to Suspend Michael Vick!
Dear Kids,
This dog was one of 52 pit bulls seized from Michael Vick's property. ©The HSUS
The outrage is unprecedented, and for good reason: Two days after a federal grand jury indicted NFL star quarterback Michael Vick and three cohorts on felony
dogfighting charges, more than 100,000 people have called on the NFL to suspend
Vick immediately.

You can add your voice today. Please urge the NFL to suspend Michael Vick immediately.
In a case that The Humane Society of the United States has assisted with since the alleged cruelties came to light in Virigina last April, the 19-page indictment describes abuses that are almost beyond belief: In or about March of 2003, PEACE [one of Vick’s co-defendants], after consulting with VICK about the losing female pit bull's
condition, executed the losing dog by wetting the dog down with water and
electrocuting the animal.
In or about April 2007, PEACE, PHILLIPS, and VICK executed approximately 8 dogs that did not perform well in "testing" sessions...by various methods, including hanging, drowning, and slamming at least one dog's body to the ground."
The NFL expressed “disappointment” and said Tuesday that “we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts.”
Well, that’s just not good enough. These alleged acts were not petty or harmless; they were nothing short of gruesome and barbaric. And there is precedent for a suspension: Other NFL players, such as Pacman Jones and Chris Henry, have been suspended while they awaited trial and before they were convicted.

Please contact the NFL today and urge the league to suspend Michael Vick.

Support

From my hotel window I can see down in to someones yard. I have heard that they have dog's and I wanted to see what kind. To my delight and surprise, I saw this little dog running around in the garden chasing birds. Attached to his back was a little wagon to support his lame back legs! This little fellow so happy and his family had supported him through difficulty and solved it.
My hat off!

Olivia's New Friend

Olivia has found a new great friend, Kiara. Her mother Paola is also a fun person to hang out with.

Senses

Seen; Seven turtles cramped in a dirty aquarium, size 60 cm x 30 cm, panicking every time someone came up towards them!
We went to a park yesterday walking around and looking at some small animals and nature. Suddenly we saw these poor turtles in slime-green water panicking, a gray parrot in a smaller cage. I took Olivia under my arm and walked out quickly, this is not how I am going to teach her how to respect animals. When she is older and I can explain, I will teach her what is wrong, now she is learning from life how we humans are treating "her" days.

Felt; Maximillian kicking! Wow already in fourth month I can feel him. Already "talking" like an Italian, with his hands and feet.

Told; "Littel wine is good for you even if you are pregnant. We Italians are born with wine in our veins!"

Heard; The Italians mosquito's! You can hear them coming and escape--the American mosquito's was always "operating" in silence.

Touched; All the love the Italians are giving Olivia. When we enter a place we always hear "Belissimo!" As a parent, with family spread out in the world, this touches my heart.

A New Place

This restaurant had a playground attached to the place. Not a very good idea with a two-year-old...the dinner went cold as we supervised her.

A playground is a lovely idea with older children who don't need 100% attention all the time.

Olivia discovered that she could go on the slide and it was so much fun. The first twenty times where fun for us too, to see our girl being "brave" but after 96 times it became; cold food and zzzzzzz.

Welcome to parenthood!

The Hard Side of Life

Along the side of the streets many prostitutes are standing in their skimpy clothing trying to entice customers. There are many, and when it gets dark you can just see something moving along the sides. Suddenly, I realized that I didn’t know if it was homeless dogs or prostitutes out “catting”. It dawned on me how these two species where out there trying to survive, some with more deceases than others. Some of both skinny, and very tired or hungry. When I spoke to some people about these happenings, they said it was much harder to watch homeless dogs than prostitutes.

Many have told me how difficult it is to hear or read of bad things happening to animals or children. It seems that human nature makes it easier consider the actions of “adults” who have put themselves into unsavory situations… it was their free choice. But the fact is that many prostitutes start “in the business” as young teenagers and many times it is not their choice at all. This is also hard to watch.

Important Note

I got an e mail with these very thoughtful and important words and I want to share them with you.

"If I could send out a public service announcement to the world right now, it would say this:Right now, it is baby animal season: meaning all the bunnies and birds and squirrels and what not that were born in the spring are beginning to venture more an more out of their nests. These babies are not hardly as savvy about roads and cars and dogs and cats as their adult counterparts. So I humbly ask that you please be considerate and respect Mother Nature as much as possible.

Diane Todd, North Carolina

Amore Pizza

The other night we went to another restaurant. Olivia got so much attention--again-- and they even made a pizza in a shape of a heart for her.

As a mother I was of course so touched by their effort and time to make my daughter happy. That's Amore!

Reality for the Speechless

My hat is off for this campaign. It is important that we realize and will be reminded that we have a problem.

When I was working with my foundation in Bosnia it was very hard to get the worlds out. Many didn't want to see pictures if it involved children and animals. They didn't want to know.

When journalists wanted to have an interview with me, I stipulated that they also had to write about my foundation. 99% of them did and it was so wonderful and humble towards our work. But I remember one magazine that said, "we want happy readers." Obviously, they chose not to interview me at all.

I know it is scary and awful, but I also know it is our reality and we must do something, even if we look silly laying on our knees outside IKEA giving out cheese (hint to my beloved husband) to our homeless dogs. --see earlier blog --

Dog Meat!

New languages are fun to learn, and to practice them outside with the locals is a fabulous challenge.
We the family went out last night to an Italian restaurant where no one speaks English. The “restaurant” people are so wonderful, they already feel like a family to us. They spoil Olivia, she is running around, watching the chef cook, and just being loved.
My husband previously had seen a customer eat a pizza with French fries on it—how unique yet so American!—he wanted that and I tried to explain for the waitress with the few Italian words I knew. “Pizza con fritta” (French fries) of course she went off with words that I didn’t understand. My husband whispered that he had seen meat on the pizza too. So I looked at the lady again and I say, “Cane!”
Her eyes become huge and suddenly we realized that I had said, “DOG!”

In Italian, “Cane” is dog and Carne is meat!

Thank God we all could laugh at it!

Summer in Italy

Relaxing time! It is Sunday......

IKEA

We found IKEA and had to visit and buy a Swedish Moose for Olivia--I got all Marabou Chocolate I could carry with me out of the store.

As we left, outside the doors two small homeless dogs were standing waiting for some nice people to feed them. I still get amazed how well behaved they are, so modest and polite. I guess they were only one year old and their teets where filled with milk. My heart sank when I saw these lovely animals waiting for food, images flashed in front off my eyes; I was coming out from a theater show in London, England and homeless men were kneeling in front of us with their hands reaching out, begging (wishing) for money.

I had bought WASA bread (Swedish hard bread) and I put some peaces on the ground for the two dogs. They smelled it suspiciously, but it wasn't want they wanted, I have noticed dry food makes the dogs more thirsty and it is hard for them to find water here.

My husband said to me, "Why don't you go in and buy some meatballs?" (I wasn't sure if he was serious or being his normal sarcastic self).

I ran in to the food section to find a bag of Swedish meatballs but they were deep frozen. I grabbed a package of Swedish cheese and trotted out to the two dogs again. People where looking at me with a kind of curiosity and joy on their face..another tourist feeding the dogs with expensive cheese.

The two dogs waited until I had put the pieces on the ground and with a modest attitude they ate with a good appetite. My little Angels.

Born Free

Seeing homeless dogs is heartbreaking, but do they think it is heartbreaking living free on the streets?
I guess it is the same with humans, children and animals; it depends on so many different factors. It is different from country to country. I noticed here in the part of Italy where we are, that many of the strays are very relaxed roaming around the streets, and like in Bulgaria or Bosnia they are awesome when it comes to paying attention to the cars—traffic.
So why are they more relaxed than for example in Fayetteville, North Carolina?

One theory is that here, no humans or dogcatchers are chasing them or hunting them to be killed. So these dogs feel safe and relaxed, their job is to find food and water, and since there is plenty of garbage, there is plenty of food.

In Fayetteville, in the county of Cumberland, 800 dogs are being killed every month, gassed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Scary number! But they claim it is for the animals best.

Animals are born with instinct and intuition; they know danger but humans trick them to come to them. They are powerless many times.
When I worked with stray dogs in Bosnia some organizations caught dogs and tied them up to small doghouses to feed them and hopefully one day adopt them to a kind family. Some dogs were still tied up after two years and you could see that their spirit had left their eyes.
It is heartbreaking to see them, but does that mean all of them are heartbroken without any owner? Is it the same feeling for the animals in the wildness or are these animals happy being born free and to stay free?
But the most important thing is to look at every individual case and then make a judgment, like with everything living and breathing.
I remember once I met a homeless man that was “happy” by being “free” He was offered apartment and a job but he preferred to live on the street, free. Some dogs are “happy” living free, and some are suffering. Nothing in life is black or white… everything is a shade of gray.

Don’t judge a book by its cover, have an open mind and heart.

Pasta Love

It is not just me who loves the food! The pasta is heavenly, Olivia thinks.

Ciao Italia

Family, Friends and Fans,

We are now in Italy, and the trip went very well. The dogs were awesome and Tjojs, my queen, was a super trooper. When Tjojs and I moved over from Sweden to USA I promised her it would be her last move. You can imagine me asking her three years later, "Eh Tjojs, how about meeting some new Italian friends?"

But she made it, and she is an eleven-year-old fury lady.

Olivia, 23 months old, is already so loved by the friendly Italians in our hotel, in restaurants and stores. They lift her up and cover her face with kisses while saying, "belissemo" They are so "children friendly" and going out to eat at a resturant is easy; the chef or waitress or owner are carrying her around entertaining her.

After four days here, Olivia can already say, "Ciao", "Grazie" and "Pizza". I guess she will be the one in the family translating to us "oldies"

The garbage has been a problem here for a long time. No cans, so you throw it in the ditch. It looks terrible of course--not smelly though--and one positive thing about this is there is food for all the homeless dogs that are roaming around.

Traffic, there appears to be no law and what traffic lights there are, are either ignored or broken--first man out in the intersection is the brave one. If you bump another car you don't stop, no use the police will maybe show up a couple of hours later. But, they have a cool attitude, it is calm and even friendly. You can see which driver that is International, he is red in his face and his lips are constanly moving.....the Italian he doesn't put down too much of energy in getting upset.

The food is awesome and the service is great. I am in heaven regarding the coffee. Italy, with passion and taste, I love this country already. Amore!