Terrible Answer on the Question Why?

The stepfather Royce Clyde Zeigler, of a 2-year-old girl Riley Ann Sawyers, lost control and beat her to death because she wouldn't say "please" and "yes sir," an attorney for the girl's mother said Wednesday. That is what the mother and wife Kimberly Dawn Trenor claims.

The "former" mother Trenor is now pregnant, her attorney have confirmed.

More information, see blog below.

Pride is a Wonderful Thing

Thank you for all your many e-mails, with support and questions. Some of you want me to write more about my "new" life in Italy, and our family.

It is with mixed emotions that I write about my pregnancy and family, because there are some people out there that I don't want to know too much about me. People I don't trust or like.

With blogger I can see where the readers are, even the city with their computer number..kind of terrific....Now, I don't have time to sit and look everyone up but when I see a country and city with the IP computer number that I know off--and don't like--I get a little careful. I know how the Internet and blogs are "open" for everybody!

The second reason is, that my passion and fight is with/for animals and children. Maybe I can educate and help someone in that area. And mostly it helps me not to forget, my past or my future to/for them who don't have a voice.

But the countdown for Max' arrival is close now, I am starting to get really exited and nervous. Another angel is going to be with us and I am so curious who he is? We can't wait to "meet" him!

We went to the doctor for my normal check up. An ultrasound was set up and the first picture we get is a picture of what looks like a turtle!!!

"This is 'proof positive' that it is a boy" doc says. He then hastily tore off one of the images to post in the hospital!

Stunned I laid and looked at the screen, " Oh my Lord, that are all right some Christmas ornaments"

Dad looked proud, "That's my son, all right".

My Question is still WHY?

Picture AP

Mother Kimberly Trenor and husband Royce Clyde Zeigler II admit to have killed 2 year-old Riley.

Read below on my blog.

Why?

AP PHOTO

GALVESTON, Texas - A woman believed to be the mother of a 2-year-old whose body was found in Galveston Bay told police she and the girl's stepfather beat and tortured the child to death, court documents show.

Her mother, Kimberly Dawn Trenor 19, and stepfather, Royce Clyde Zeigler II 24, were arrested early Saturday and are in custody on charges of hurting the girl. (killed the girl July 24)

An autopsy revealed that Riley suffered three skull fractures, but the cause of death has not been determined.

The girl was beaten with leather belts, had her head held underwater in a bathtub and then was thrown across a room, her head slamming into a tile floor, Trenor said in the document. She said they kept the body in a storage shed for one to two months before they put it in a plastic bin and dumped it into Galveston Bay.

Trenor and Zeigler met a couple of years ago playing an online game, World of Warcraft, and she moved with her daughter from suburban Cleveland to Spring in June.

Information from Yahoo.news

For more information you can read; Riley

My heart aches and feel a pressure over my chest when I read this article/news. I cannot scream, I cannot do anything, just helplessness and anger. What is happening? Why do I have to read about these cases so often?

Internet is a good tool but many people are misusing it and spending to much time with it. We complain that our young children are on-line to often, but we need to wake up and get educated. Maybe we can save more children!

Wake up!

Oscar Wilde Quote from Saturday 24th Nov.

Last night I received a very interesting e mail from one of my blog reader that made a good point, and I want to share it with you. I found the quote on one of Americas biggest adoption sites, and I know a little about Oscar Wilde, but this reader he got a "good" eye here.

"I sort of like the quote about happy children from your blog, but the author of the quote stuck me as a little odd. Perhaps when HE spoke of "happy children", he might have had something a little different in mind?
On his sexuality: Wilde also had numerous sexual encounters with working-class male youths, who were often rent boys .
Nevertheless, Wilde lost no time in returning to his previous pleasures. According to Douglas, Ross "dragged [him] back to homosexual practices" during the summer of 1897, which they spent together in Berneval. After his release, he also wrote the famous poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol . Wilde spent his last years in the Hôtel d'Alsace, now known as L'Hôtel , in Paris, where he was notorious and uninhibited about enjoying the pleasures he had been denied in England. Again according to Douglas, "he was hand in glove with all the little boys on the Boulevard. He never attempted to conceal it." In a letter to Ross, Wilde laments, "Today I bade good-bye, with tears and one kiss, to the beautiful Greek boy. . . he is the nicest boy you ever introduced to me."

His whole life story: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Wilde

Ghosts?

One night I woke up by two children laughing running in our stairs. I went out and looked, but it was pitch black and not a sound. Hmm, I thought that I had dreamt and went back to bed.

Some afternoons when Olivia took her nap I heard children cry. I rushed into her room to discover she was sleeping, deep and sweet. Hmmmm maybe she just cried in her sleep, I thought.

But, sometimes her toys starts to play without anyone in the room, in the middle of the day and her door is open so we can see that no one is in there.
Some nights when Olivia is being put into bed and we are laying next to her reading, she suddenly sits up, looks up at a corner and says, "Baby"

Last night when we all went to bed, we woke up by Christmas songs that started to play from our radio--downstairs. I don't think it was one of our dogs that wanted some Christmas spirit and turned the music on.

It is nice to have a playful spirit in the house and it doesn't seem to bother Olivia or the dogs, they are already found their "friend" to be lovely.

That's amore!

Children, our Future

"The best way to make children good is to make them happy."
- Oscar Wilde

Puerto Rico Dog Slaughter

Video

Remember the article I had on my blog about the dogs that were killed; It was Friday, October 12, 2007 when animal control workers seized dozens of pets from housing projects in the town of Barceloneta, Puerto Rico. They told pet owners their dogs and cats were to be taken to a shelter. But instead, they hurled them from a bridge to their deaths. Upon reading the news about the horrific pet massacre they got to know something else.

Pls watch the video clip. And God bless your help to animals and children.

Thanks Giving

Yesterday was one of America's biggest holiday's, Thanksgiving. For me as a Swedish person it doesn't say much but it is always interesting with a new tradition in the house, and it feels very important to teach Olivia, too.

We both like to make sure Olivia learns our traditions. Lucky girl, she gets two countries worth of traditions!

Todd had bought a big Turkey....two stuffed Turkeys in the house, one in the oven and one wobbling around (yes I mean myself). Todd was in the kitchen the whole day, and Fabio (one of Todd's colleagues) came over to celebrate with us. At least he eats meat...vegetarian as I am, I went through the mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, and yes, I had "fake" turkey on my plate.

But it was a very nice evening, plenty of good food and great company, I love traditions.

When I picked Olivia up at her school the Italian lady said, "Ah today is American Christmas" Only slightly off-track!

That's Amore!

Black Cats Born with Wrong Color.

Animal lovers in Italy will celebrate the "Black Cat" arranged by an Italian animal organization.

Owners to black cats are asked to bring them to an award ceremony-- for people whom have helped to protect the Black Cat.
Thousands black cats are (remember it is a dark number) are killed or abandoned because a myth. According to the Italian Ass in Defense of Animals and Environment, around 7 000 black cats has disappeared in the Lombardy region-- each year.
.
Why? Many Italians think that when a black cat is crossing their path it is considered bad luck.

There are reports that some Italian motorists are waiting in their car for the black cat to cross the road so they can kill it with their car.

So the organization want to change the image of the black cat. Help changing and fighting peoples superstition, which is according to the organization a huge problem in this country.

Do I have to comment this? Sigh!

Time for Killing

Eager to go out on a whale hunt, the Japanese are sharpening their harpoons. Four hunting ships are ready to go out on the biggest whale hunt in decades, that will include hump back whales: they plan to kill up to 50 humpbacks, 935 minke whales and 50 fin whales.

Japan says it needs to kill the animals in order to conduct research on their reproductive and feeding patterns.
The anti-whaling group Greenpeace said its protest ship, Esperanza, was moored just outside Japan's territorial waters and would chase the fleet to the southern ocean. ~CNN~

Many species of whales live in big family oriented groups. When one is being slowly killed the other family members refuse to leave. The whales' grieving songs are the most heart breaking complaints from deep and can be heard miles under water. Why don't we listen?

Hair Cut

I cannnot help it, I am a proud mother, and when you are proud of something or someone you want to share that with the whole world....even if the whole world is not particularly interested.

Olivia got her first haircut today and by a great Italian hair designer, Fabio, with two assistants. Not bad for being just two-years old, and of course with a mother taking pictures being in the way. I know that one day she will think I am very "goofy" , and she won't bring me with her so I better take the opportunity now.

A Day on the Road

Driving in to the base today there where a lot of stray dogs roaming around. With my heart pounding and constantly yelling in the car "please God don't let the cars hit the dogs!" these dogs where everywhere. Up on the highway--and the traffic here is brutal, along the roads, along the fences searching for a hole so they can get out. It is heartbreaking! and many times I don't want to drive out because I know I will be so upset. Big dogs laying dead along the road is a common view.

A sad view, these beautiful creatures that was born free is having a hard day surviving many obstacles from the human beings. Shame on us!

Step Up and Step In

I'v had it with all these adults that are closing their eyes for children (and animal) being abused. There are to many who know that something are "wrong" with a lot of children. Bruises, anxiety, stomach ache, sadness etc etc and still many children dies from being "disciplined" by their parents and stepparents. Read this story

I am so tired of being told that my manuscript about child abuse around the world is a very strong and well written peace, but the publisher or agents doesn't dare to give it out. It is to strong!!
How can the truth be to strong? How can we give up on our children and give the abusers bigger and bigger power? It is absurd.

The children are counting on YOU!

The Past Hunts

A man in India was hunted by his cruelty towards two dogs fifteen years ago, he became paralyzed in some parts of his body, and lost hearing on one ear. An astrologer told him the only way to get cured was to marry a dog.
I wish the astrologer instead had told him to help homeless dogs, that would probably have cured his inner peace!

Selvakumar, 33 years-old marry one dog named Selvi; read the story

Being a Mother

is the hardest and most wonderful job I ever had (have)
The question "am I doing ok as a mother" will always follow me, and sometimes the thought of "think if Olivia wont like how I am as a mother" when she is older, scares me a little.
So why does this thought pop up in my head?
I read a very interesting article in one mother hood magazine that gave me a good "answer".
I never thought much of how my mother was during my childhood, up till now. I would never get married or have children. I lived for my work with animals, travelling to so many different countries. I guess that fare back in my mind I didn't want a family was because I never liked my own. As a child I was badly abused and there were never any affections. I never heard my parents say that they loved each other, nor did they say anything to me.

But since Olivia came into my (our) life, I cannot think about anything else in my life that would be so affectionate. She is the most important thing to me (us) and several times a day I tell her how much I love her--and I try to show her it too. It is not a hard thing because my feelings are huge for her. She is wonderful towards her dad an me....so warm and beautiful.

This article claimed that it is when you yourself becomes a mother that you start to think about how your own mother was towards you as a child (and adult). Now I understand why I and my mother are having a huge conflict today, things I never thought about before.
I do not argue with her, I do not blame her, but she can feel my heart speaking to her.
When on the phone with her, I tell her all the marvelous things Olivia is progressing with and how great she is a person--I want her to know her grandchild--. My mother tells me; "You are a great mother!"
Well I don't do much, it is Olivia who makes herself wonderful.
Mother says; "I myself wasn't a good mother!"
I cannot answer that, and guilt is being washed over me. I try to say;
"It is not to late to be a good mother"

Amore!

Dog Fighting Petition

I got this e mail from an animal friend on Cyprus, and I really want to share this with you. Please, you too sign the petition, it will just take you one minute of your time. Think off the animals that are stuck in this cruelty till they stop breathing, and being released from the humans cruelty.

"Did you know that for the sake of human profit, dogs are trained for dog fighting by being beaten, chained and fed gunpowder, illegal drugs and even live animals -- and sometimes they are not fed at all for long periods of time? In the end, dogs that do not win are either killed or left to die horrific and painful deaths.I can't even imagine what these dogs must go through. Every animal deserves the right to live a cruelty-free life.

I just signed a petition to end this horrific practice, and I hope you'll join me in urging the U.S. Congress to support the Federal Dog Protection Act: http://go.care2.com/helpdogs

Thanks!

Carolina"

Selfish Money Makers

Smelling money can make a man do "whatever" without thinking of the living, breathing creature(s) or, Mother Nature.

The ones working for preventing bad things to animals, children or nature are the ones having less money.

Another Day for the Animals

Copyright (c) 2007 Mia Mattsson

Fighting Spirit for the Animals in Italy

She is so petite but have so much strength; Dr Dorothea Fritz. Photo Copyright(C) 2007 Mia Mattsson-Mercer

Back in 1999, I went to an animal conference in Sofia, Bulgaria. Two people there inspired me so much that when I got home to Stockholm, I started the foundation Animals without Limits.

From the conference, I remember a petite lady who had enormous energy and inspiration when she spoke to us about the spay and neuter program she had created and ran. Never would I have guessed that I would meet her in person some years later.

This year my family and I moved to Italy and little would I know what had happened to the lady that inspired me so much with her work back in 1999.

I was standing inside an US veterinarian clinic, a woman hands me a paper with three veterinarians that they recommend. My eyes stopped at the name Dr. Fritz. I couldn't believe it, She was local to us, and she was still crusading for the animals! I had to meet her again.

I called her and I hadn't forgot her warm giggling in between her serious work. Her clinic is amazing and her work for the animals is even more amazing. After 24 years with this difficult work, she is still going strong, working tirelessly to help control the dog and cat (over)population. I had the privilege to get a private tour and an interview for an upcoming project of mine.

She is truly the animal's friend, she is fighting with not just the economic side, but also the Parliament and people who don't like her work.

She is having a spay and neuter clinic, kennel, re-adopting stray dogs, and she also rescued four Buffalo males, not to mention the cats, rabbits and ducks.

You can read more about her work and make a donation ... please,

http://www.lega-pro-animale.de/

http://web.tiscali.it/legaproanimale/

Amore!

Heartless Pictures

Picture Copyright (C) 2007 Kathy Guerny

Last Sunday Kath, Ethan and I went out on a journey amongst homeless dogs and horses in garbage heaps. It was a tragic view to see old and new scars on the animals. It breaks my heart, they are so loving and friendly and in their eyes you can see them asking if they can come with you. There were mixed breeds and actually what seemed to be pure breeds too.

The research tells me two things with this problem; One is that this situation has gone on for generations, so many people don't even see it anymore, the garbage and the animals.

Second is actually we foreigners that come to Italy for a couple of years, bring in a street dog off the street, nurture him for 2-3 years but then many times when the foreigner moves "home" he doesn't bring the dog with them. He is let out on the street again, and some explanations from these people have been; "Well he had a good loving home for some amount of time."

What these people doesn't understand is that the dog (or cat) will sit and wait on the stairs of his former home that now is just an empty dark house. Sometimes they die from a broken heart.

They have no idea why or what they did wrong when the "pack" kicked them out.

On some billboards I read-- too many times-- about families going back to their countries and they want to re-adopt their dog to someone in Italy.

Some are lucky, some are not. Some get a second chance, some get to heaven too soon and with a starving heart, wondering why?

Silence from People and Animals

The big tragedy is not the evil people’s brutalities; it is the good people ´s silence.
Dr Martin Luther King, JR

*

They caught us, me and another horse, a jacket was put over our eyes and we were led out. We panicked.
We are tied up to a tree. It is hot. The other horses in the pasture are taking off in a panicked gallop. Alarmed feelings of fear are vibrating in the air. A steel object shimmers in the sunlight. Two men are beating us brutally.

It feels like I am present as the scene unfolds. The horse is sending a horrible image, incredible pain from his back. I can see that another horse is lying on the ground, his head hanging down, and blood trickling from his nostrils. His eyes stare out in emptiness. Sitting on the ground is a crying woman. She holds the head of the dead horse in her lap as she rocks back and forth, sobbing.

I open my eyes feeling confused and do not know what to believe. Does the owner know anything about this?

Translation from my first book "Listen when the animal talks." copyrights 2007

Halloween Celebrations

Halloween was such a party day that today, the day after, Olivia and I had to get a 3-hour long afternoon nap. Here in Italy they don't celebrate Halloween, they have their tradition like we Swedes putting candles on the graves.

So dad had to teach Olivia how to carve a pumpkin.

Olivia's school, which is "international", had a Halloween party. First Olivia refused to wear her costume but when she saw all her friends in their costumes she quickly demanded to have her's on.

In the evening we went to a birthday Halloween party, and that was so much fun. I got to practice a little on my Italian skills, but mostly it was hand pointing and wild gestures, like an albatross trying to take off.

But we came home tired and happy, we have so many great friends.

Amore!