Happy New Year

May all your dreams and wishes come true.
A true Happy Amore 2009 to you all, and thank you for your support and love in 2008. You readers mean a lot to me, I couldn't have a better support group/team/fans.

I wrote a couple of days ago about my dreams and goals.....they are still the same and I am working on them even over the holidays. Dreams never take a break!

My Amore to you all.

visit also http://www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com/ and http://www.mytailwagsforyou.blogspot.com/

Inside the Dogs Mind

( Dexter (in rear of picture) in his former shelter, a dark damp place)
Too many hands and mouths are involved in the project "shelter mission" Too many people who said they were in, and then disappeared because it is not an easy project. People who don't attend to meetings, or do their research later on but have their opinions ready, and many times the facts are wrong, very wrong.

We didn't chose to adopt our new dog Dexter! He ended up in our home for a variety of different reasons. Regardless of intent, in my heart I couldn't let him return to the shelter. I still get nightmares when I am thinking of that place. Volunteers that went with me say the same, it was like the air went out of us.

A Sengora didn't like that we adopted Dexter since he was in the category "easy to adopt." According to her, we should pick one of the other less desirable dogs, blind, crippled or...... We wanted the blind dog, but with two small children I am afraid he would walk into them (not on purpose of course) and the children could fall down the stairs. And just why should we not want a good dog anyway?

But in another way she couldn't be more wrong about Dexter being an easily adoptable dog. Other than size, what makes her think Dexter is so adoptable? Sitting at a distance from me, and having a psychological opinion makes me wonder how she does that? Maybe she is psychic?

Last year when I held a lecture for one of the leading dog trainers in Sweden, they were very much against importing stray dogs to Sweden, "You don't know what you'll get!" they said.

To one certain degree I agree. Having more than 10 years of experience from different countries dealing with strays, you do not know what you get, and ....the dogs don't know what they are to get either!

Dexter, is fantastic in the group of our pack, but is terrified of humans and sounds. You take out the broom and he screams a sound that goes through skin and bones. You cannot pet him on his head, and if I call him he freezes and throws himself down on the ground... totally submissive, waiting for a beating that apparently in the past would be sure to follow.

He also has separation anxiety and you can hear him howling far out to the parking lot. He pees and poops inside, so according to the Sengora if this is an easy dog to adopt away, I sure don't know what the other dogs are behaving like. But we love our Dexter, he is one of us now --- we know it will take time, that is ok for us.

You can get a small dog with huge problems, and a big dog with small problems. You never know. Dogs, like humans, will react to, and interact with, different environments differently: child, children or empty nest; apartment, house or farm; a calm person, athletic and active or one who is stressed; the list and variables can be long. But who has the skills, and time to fully observe and evaluate every individual dog before being put up for adoption?

Who can communicate with the dog, and make sure what his needs are? (ok, I can!)

Sometimes we chose with our Amore heart, sometimes we are too demanding that we think we rescued a dog, and he should be thankful.

They have the same emotional needs like our children, every one different and unique. Adopting a child takes years to accomplish, adopting a dog takes a day.....where is the balance?

Opinions expressed are solely my own, and not those of AWL.

See the Light at the End of the Tunnel

I am trying to have a positive mind.

I want so badly to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Amore light!

Tragedy into Triumph

Much of what I've written on here lately has been primarily about animals. Well, it is time to service the other half of the blog's name: children.


Over Christmas, I read an Associated Press (AP) wire article, John's Wish, that just twisted my heart into a pretzel. I strongly recommend reading it, and reading it to your children.


What great heart, and faith, this one 15 year old boy had! What a difference he has made in the world.

At a time in his life when he should have been thinking about sports, and school, and girls, he was faced with a condition that brings even adults to their knees. He faced it with grace, and faith, and turned something personally tragic, into something wonderful for others he would never meet, half the world away.


What Amore heart. And what a reminder of the meaning of miracles, and of Christmas.

Holidays and Dogs... a connection?

What is it with holidays and our dogs?

Recently, the one doesn't pass without an impact on the other.

Today, our little girl Zara, who only a month ago narrowly survived Rat Poison she ate on Thanksgiving, is again sickly.

This time, we have no idea what could be the problem. She hasn't been out of our sight, and hasn't been eating anything strange. Still, she is listless and taking very short, shallow breaths. Clearly something isn't right... she is usually a very rambunctious, energetic, even mischievous puppy.

We've been racking our brains, trying to think of what might she have done to cause this. So far, no clue.

So, rather than wait until morning for a "regular" Veterinarian visit as we had planned earlier in the afternoon, we are now driving her to the 24-hour Emergency $$$ Vet about 15 miles from our home.

Please keep Zara in your prayers, again. We'd be lost without her Amore heart!

Dreams

Last night I got a question about when my next book will be done?

I blushed, and realized I haven’t been writing much the last couple of months. I have hired babysitters and during that time I've been running around doing other things…like starting up the heretofore sleeping foundation Animals Without Limits.

I also want to translate my other three books into English. I get many e-mails from people wondering when they can buy the translated books . Some of my Swedish readers beg me to translate them so they can send them to their friends in foreign countries.

Gosh! I am so behind schedule, and my inner soul is screaming to be writing. But it is hard to be a mom with two small children, and even here is my guilt-voice telling me I am not giving them all my time either--seven dogs in the casa.

Ah yes, the strays…I do want to create so much for them.

But if I want my dream(s) to become true, I have to get the book(s) project(s) going.

My dream(s) are to be a bigger and greater Animal Ambassador, and I want an olive plantation with 23 strays, together with my family…to have this I need to write a best seller... and not just in Sweden. Hah!! Amore Dreams!

October 2008, Olivia and I lighting a candle for the stray souls that our need help, in Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France. Photo Copyright (C) 2008, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved.

What is Honor?

Our recent trip to feed the dogs at an area shelter brought me face-to-face with this lovely lady (the one to the left).

Clearly old, slow moving, maybe hard of hearing. Possibly addled from the confusion and frustration of being incarcerated with 70 other yapping, barking, wailing dogs.

She very much reminded me of my own Tjojs: the heart still willing, but the body wearing out and that causing frustration and saddness.

I knew immediately that I wanted to provide this lady a proper final time on this earth.

My estimate is that in her current living conditions, or where the authorities will put her when she is taken from the current shelter, is less than 3 months. With luck, and love, we could possibly give her over 6 months, and a condition fitting for such a matriarch.

Current drama and the ongoing situation is complicating things to make this happen. Still, there is a chance, and we will work to make it happen.

Please keep "Lupa" and AWL in your Amore prayers.

Photos Copyright (C) 2008, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved.

Text Copyright (C) 2008, Mia Mattsson-Mercer. All Rights Reserved.

Merry U.S. Christmas

Two Happy former strays!

I want to thank you, all blog readers that are following my thoughts, opinions and work. And, also to thank you all who bought my books (privately). All the money from these sales go to Animals Without Limits work. http://www.animalswithoutlimits.com/

My Amore thank you, I hope you will continue to read and support my blog (and our work).

Shelter in Need Now

Copyright (C) 2008, Todd A. Mercer (photos) and text Mia Mattsson-Mercer

AWL got kind of good news about the shelter that you saw on the video the 17th-- or the pictures I have posted more recently. The judge had directed to close down the shelter after Christmas, and the dogs would be transferred to another shelter named by many locals "Death Waiting Shelter"

Thousands of dogs on top of each other, cold wet concrete, in their own feces, waiting to die (but earning the owners 125 euros a month for each soul incarcerated there).

This shelter they are at now is horrible (watch the video), but we are all trying to get the dogs out for adoption or into foster homes. As horrible as this shelter is, it is actually better than where they would go to from there. But, our time is running out.

But are they being fed now over Christmas?

AWL has a plan but we need more time. We want 2-3 months, but the judge gave the shelter "solo" one month. Our dead line is the end of January!

I cannot close my eyes.

Please believe in AWL's goal, plan and wish. We will tell you along the way what we are doing....trust me.

These dogs are getting feed every 4-5 days....Since this shelter is under investigation/court order, and people have been convicted, we are walking on eggshells right now. So believe me when I can not yet write down all information. I have to be very careful, not to step on any one's innocent feet, or insult others, and the most important thing, to avoid jeopardising the animals life's.

We need money, foster homes, adoptions, volunteers that are willing to help AWL one weekend in January. I will assure you that it will be an adventure, but I will hold your hand and bring you into education and experience. Believe me, you will feel the gratitude from the Universe, me, AWL and the most important....the Amore dogs that are giving their life into your hands.

Merry Christmas

Meet Dexter!

He was the only one we have managed to get out from the shelter so far (but we haven't given up on the other 70 dogs-we need all the help we can get), that you have seen on the video from last week.

He had to stay at a veterinarian clinic for a couple of days, to get de-wormed, and he was full of fleas and had a bad ear infection.

This is our Christmas Present, a new member to the pack Mercer.

Have A Merry Amore Christmas!

New Family To Feed

(photo; Olivia and I are hiding in the bush after feeding them)

For some months now I have fed a pack of dogs by the skeleton house were Truffle and Hunty were "living" before ( see earlier on blog). As for Truffle and Hunty, I haven't seen them in a while now. I guess the new pack took over their territory. Hard nature, surviving is a hard lecture on this world!

The new pack has 6 puppies that are now included on my feeding list. They are very afraid of the humans, so Olivia and I we sit and watch them at a proper distance. I try to explain for Olivia that they have a better chance to survive if we leave them alone.

The dog catchers will have a harder time putting these into the dog shelters. And people who are afraid of dogs don't have to hit them, the puppies are safer away from us.

That is one hard Amore lesson!

A Shelter in Need II

Please, we are running out of time! We need foster homes and adoptions for the innocent dogs who will be cast away in a sea of agony after Christmas if we don't find a solution. This time I am on my knees for YOU. Please help them!

Copyright (c) 2008, Todd A. Mercer. All Rights Reserved. No one is allowed to copy the pictures without AWL approval.

DWL

Drama Without Limits....what a week it was last week and in away it still is.


I say it again and again, if I could just work with the dogs I would be so happy.


Well, that is not just true, there are some people I love to work with. But I cannot work with drama queens, they are like insecure dogs....howling and talking too much about what other people should do or not do, and nothing gets done. It makes me crazy.


I try to value my time since I have to divide it between so many people, and animals. When I try to cut the meetings short, some can think I am rude.


Many ask me how I can do everything I am doing, my answer to that is: anyone can do it if they get off the phone and plan their day. One will be amazed how much they can do in just a 2 hour mission a day.


I love going out on missions with the AWL veterinarian, she is quiet and observes the strays, and learns about them by "only" watching.


I love going on missions with my daughter Olivia who is 3 years old. She never wastes any time on talking about how terrible this world is....she is observing and solving, with a beautiful view from a young Amore perspective.


To all you who ask me I can only say this; talk less, get information by listening, and then solve problems with team work.


The best hunters are the silent ones! That is so Amore true.

Shelter in Need

(C) Todd Mercer pictures

Saturday we went in to the Shelter in need. What can I say?

If you looked at the video I posted last Friday, you will understand that AWL need all the help to help the 70 dogs that are in this Shelter.

Have you helped someone you don't know?

We are puppies and no one plays with us!

The pictures will talk. Now it is up to you.

AWL are going out tomorrow again with more food and Amore and it is not enough.

Two Beautiful Labradors

Two beautiful sweet Labrador girls around 7 months old need a foster home or, a real home forever.
They are spayed and all the medical bills are taken cared off.

The girls were roaming around in the middle off the street, and you could see in their behavior that they have had a family.

Helen (UK) is devastated to have to put them back on the street again, they wont survive.

Please, give them a home over Christmas and New Year --over the Amore time--. We are working really hard during this time to find them an owner, if you cannot keep them.

Have you been giving a helping hand to someone you don't know yet?

Christmas Party Donations

We had our yearly Christmas Party here in Italy. As usual we asked our guests to bring dog food instead of wine or flowers.

Many of our beloved friends from different countries showed up, with dog food and presents. (You guys are so generous)

It was a lovely stack of dog food that Animals Without Limits can distrube to the ones mostin need

We got up to 12 dog bags and 5 big cans of dog food.

It shows that many people have a heart of Amore. Thank you friends.

Rescued-Adopted from a Horrible Shelter

Animals Without Limits volunteer Erika, with boyfriend Enzio, rescued this beautiful, wonderful little guy. He was in a terrible condition with his fur, feces and mud matted all over his body. But already after only 3 days out with love, walking on a leash with dog friend Tiffany he is not so scared any more.
This is a fury, warm Amore story! Thank you Erika and Enzio and Tiffany!

Rain Mission Impossible

Today was like fighting the devil himself. Rain and more rain, and these 7 dogs are just chained up with the water getting higher and higher by every hour.

The veterinarian and I stood there in water up to our knees. It was hard to see anything, and even harder to examine the dogs. As hard as all that was, it was even harder to leave these dogs. Will they be drowned tomorrow?

One of the dogs is a black Labrador that someone had left on the street; another one is a female and is pregnant. Everyone of them is freezing and miserable.

Gosh ... more later, I am freezing myself and I am not happy with what I have seen today.

Helplessness and failure are my main feelings right now. I will tell you the whole story, and my thoughts in a couple of hours. A dopo! (Later)

Good People Helping part II

Yesterday I wrote about good people helping, and one of the better shelters...let me be more clear.

This is a group of volunteers (CaniDiSommaVesuviana) that doesn't have their own shelter but goes around to different shelters and tries to help or get more information about their situation inside the shelter. Also they try to get the media awake to the problem; "business with animals."

I wrote (even longer ago) about shelters that(are) getting 125 euro per dog, per month. Its big business, and it doesn't mean that they have to keep the dogs healthy or clean--- just alive to collect the monthly subsidy.

CaniDiSommaVesuviana is trying to get to these horrible dog shelters and it was Channel 7 that made the documentary about the terrible conditions the animals have to go through-- in different levels. But, they also want to show that some shelters have become a little better. This is hard work!

So, my hat's off for the volunteers, but no Amore to the people who just see the money in suffering animals inhumanely kept alive.

Please Help US & Them

After you watched this video, contact me and tell me you want to help Animals Without Limits. We will pay for the medical costs, YOU pay with your love, Amore!

Good People Helping

One of the better Shelters. Watch the video below on their web site. It is in Italian, but the pictures describes better than thousands words.

Amore to them who works hard to make this place a better world for the animals.

Campania Evilness

Campania Dog Shelters, there is no number for how many there are, and like I said earlier on my blog, no high adoption numbers. For many years have I tried together with AWL to work against mistreatment of animals, many people ask why nothing is being done. I have an answer for you...MONEY. As long as there is money involved they will continue with the evilness. As long as we don't get any money we cannot prevent the evilness.

Why do we not have more volunteers? No MONEY.

Around this area in Campania are some shelters being discovered by media, and many people are getting mad of what they have seen. Thanks to Internet the information and horror can reach YOU in your living room. BUT, some people choose to shut the computer off.

I urge you to contact media, to become a foster to one off these dogs, or adopt. I urge you to volunteer, we "just" ask about a couple of hours. Give them a good warm Christmas!

Start by watching the video, and then contact us. Don't call and complain. Don't ask what can I do? Just call and say, I want to end this madness, I am in.

Your Amore can safe lives. Your Amore can make you feel better.

http://www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com/

I Know Santa is There

Letter to Santa leads to man's molestation arrest

PHARR, Texas – A Texas man has been arrested after a 9-year-old girl wrote to Santa Claus asking that a relative stop touching her and her sister.
The Monitor of McAllen reports that a man from the town of Pharr was arrested Friday and is in the Hidalgo County jail.
A criminal complaint says the girl turned the letter in at Cesar Chavez Elementary School. Authorities interviewed the girl after a school counselor reported the letter.
The complaint says investigators believe the molestation occurred over a period of four years.
The man is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a young child and could face as many as 99 years in prison if convicted. (Yahoo.com news)
Thank you Amore Santa!

Oscar is Getting Ready

(read about Oscar on the blog October month)
Oscar is doing wonderfully. He gained 15 kg and is now a 30 kg, fantastic goof. The veterinarian said he looked great. Gosh are we proud?

Much Amore to foster mother Steph who is doing the work.

We have other great news about Oscar, we will post them later when everything is ready.

LUCIA

Today is Lucia day. I missed watching the Lucia train on Swedish TV. But I got one live...my friend Ylwa and my daughter Olivia.

Of course I Amore cried!

SUNNY

Please give me a good life. I am a loyal loving dog!

Sunny need a home, a loving home. In return, you will get plenty of AMORE

Sunny is...a sunny sweet, loving dog. He is 2-3 years-old and was found by Lin(UK) in the garbage. Give him your sunshine Amore, please.

True Amore Between Children and Animals

Teach your children to respect animals, and of course opposite. That is educational Amore!

Animal Amore

Best Amore Friends! Olivia and Trooper relaxing.

One Campania Dog Shelter

An area volunteer at a dog shelter has, for several days, tried to get into the shelter where she helps out. The person that runs the shelter has not been around... gone for three days.

No food, no water. No cleaning up for the dogs. This is a normal day for thousands of dogs in the concentration-camp settings of dog shelters in Campania.

This is no @%$@ Amore!

A True Hero

Footage from a traffic camera overlooking a busy freeway in Santiago, Chile captured a dog performing a ulling heroic act — pulling an injured friend from oncoming traffic.

So how can you justify your thought about animals not being intelligent?
This is amazing Amore

Old Friend

For many centuries I have been standing by you, and standing up for the human beings --- and I still do.

Where is your Amore for me?

photo Copyright (c) 2008 Mia Mattsson-Mercer

check out what AWL is doing http://www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com/

Sad News & Good News

Opening my mail today I found this wonderful e mail from a friend a got to know in North Carolina. Our new dog had climbed the fence and I drove around crying looking for him. I saw a woman walking her two dogs and I stoped and asked if she had seen my Clyde?

She had not, but she helped me searching after Clyde until we found him. When Zina was living in Africa she helped the stray dogs there. She is a true Amore animal friend!

"I wanted to let you know that we are putting a package in the mail to you tomorrow (Dec 8) which contains some blankets, bowls, collars, and a small cat carrier. I was able to get some good deals at the thrift store on Post. I hope you don't mind "used" items, but I was sure to wash everything in bleach to ensure it was all clean and ready for use. I am able to purchase more this way. I hope you find these items useful for your projects.

We just rescued another dog and were lucky to find him a new home already. He was chained in the backyard with no attention and not being fed daily. I may have told you about him before. Anyway, tomorrow he goes to the vet for neutering and shots, then off to the new home on Tuesday. He is a very sweet boy and is enjoying his time here with us. He will go to a farm where there is another Lab waiting on his arrival.

Did you see the story on the national news that a woman in Wisconsin left her dog outside in 10 degree weather and the dog froze to the sidewalk!! Luckily someone called authorities the next day and the dog was still alive. They had to use hot water to melt the ice to free him. He is now in the safety of the Humane Society, and the owner was arrested.

Makes me sick to think about. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Zina"

Ah, yes. The holidays. I guess in this boy's case, Santa came early, and in the form of mere (but big Amore caring) humans. On behalf of the animals you help, thank you Zina. Merry Christmas!

Time Flies

Max turned one-year-old yesterday. Happy Amore Birthday, wonderful boy!

Don't forget to visit our other blog www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com

Swedish Lucia ... in Italy

Yesterday we got to see a pretty Lucia at a very nice glogg party (Swedish Christmas smorgasbord) at the "other" Mercer's house (not related but great friends)

Of course I got so emotional when our little Mui walked up next to the Lucia, as a little Starlight.

Since we are so many people with different nationalities here, we celebrated Lucia yesterday instead of December 13. Many families are going home to their own countries over Christmas.

It was a wonderful Lucia Amore evening!

Rat Poison

The research is scary, and many veterinarians tell me it is a big problem with people laying out rat poison. And it is not small amounts, it is several cans that people pour out.

Olivia and the dogs play where there is a big hole in the fence into an empty skeleton house. It is kind of ironic, the entrance gate is locked with a big chain, but a couple of meters away there is this big hole.

When I walked in there was this cat laying there and I can just imagine the slow and painful death she suffered, the animals are bleeding inside for 1-2 weeks before they die.

Two big jars of rat poison lay near the opening in the fence, and just the thought of Olivia playing with these jars made my heart beat faster.

I went and visited Zara today (read blog yesterday) and she is doing better, but still she has to be in the cage so she doesn't become too physically active, and start to bleed internally again. And she is very weak and tired.

The veterinarian showed me the blood test results from the lab and they were scary, she was so close to death!

I thank you all for your Amore thoughts, and I thank the Army Chaplain for his Amore prayer, for our Amore girl.

It Happened Again!

Right now it is a very worried and stressed situation here in our house, in our pack. What can I say --- it happened again.

Zara, our latest, wonderful dog--sniffing our son's leg on the Tuesday blog--is terribly sick. I took her in to the veterinarian today, who told me if I had come in with her one hour later she would probably not have been with us anymore.

What is happening? What kind of place is this--- certainly not any heavenly place for dogs.

Zara came in the house (Friday) and looked like she had a bad cold. The next day, Saturday, I put her on antibiotics and a painkiller. After a couple of hours she looked a little better. I decided if she didn't seem well on Monday, I would have to visit the veterinarian.

Sunday I got a vision (from her) of internal bleeding!

Monday morning she looked the same --- low. So I took her to the veterinarian clinic we routinely use. I also had an urine sample from one of the other dogs back home with me, I thought she might have a bladder infection. One of the veterinarians took the sample and thankfully it didn't show anything wrong. Then I told him about Zara's symptoms.

"Does she haves diarrhea?"

"Well today she had. Can I bring her in? She is in the car"
"Blood in the diarrhea, vomitting?"

"Eh no. Should I bring her in?"
"Oh no. She's been eating something. Keep giving her antibiotics."

"Eh... ok?"

Driving home I just felt that it was not right. But going against a veterinarian? Hell, I am not a doctor.

Tuesday morning I go inspect the skeleton (gutted) house that is our neighbor in the parco. I remember Zara had been in there for 3 minutes the previous Thursday. I find two open buckets of Rat Poison, and a dead cat. Later, I saw Trooper come out from the hole in the fence to this skeleton, with some unidentifiable piece of meat in his mouth. I retrieved it from him before he could swallow any of it.

By this time, Zara was now "just" laying; eating but laying; pooping hard, no vomitting, but "just" laying; tail-wagging but "just" laying.

I woke up this past night to hearing Zara "scream", it was 0130. She looked so sick and I just hugged her and told her to "hang in there". Darn it, the other veterinarian clinic wouldn't open up until 09.30.

The morning light hit our bedroom, and Zara was still laying very still; not moving, not eating. Now she couldn't even walk well. Todd had to carry her down the stairs so she could pee pee and poo poo. Luckily, no sign of blood. When he gently tried to nudge her toward the door, by pressing gingerly on her chest/shoulder, she yelped in pain. When we carried her out to the car, she layed still the whole way out.

I carried her into the new veterinarian clinic and the veterinarian looked at her, then felt her body, "she has internal bleeding" he reported. He did his blood work and told me she was really bad, maybe she would need a blood transfusion --- they needed to find a big dog. He reported that she has a chance to recover... but just a chance.

So, right now we are waiting for good news Amore! Please keep Zara in your prayers.

Sniffing Amore

Aroma Amore....who's leg? Check out more Amore "sniffing" pictures on www.animalswithoutlimits.blogspot.com