LUPA

Lupa, I am not ready to have you leave me.

I know it is selfish of me. I love you, and I am proud of you.

The Vet will come tomorrow, to help you on your final journey. But I am not at all ready. I know you are, and that you want peace now. I have to give you your peace that you are asking for, finally. But it is not what I want. I am heartbroken.

You were trapped in the horrible shelter. I wanted so badly to give you a longer time with love and freedom and comfort here with us. Maybe here in our love, now, you thought it has been a long time, and you want to continue your travel on your peaceful road to heaven.

Thank you, Lupa. For your time --- too short a time --- with us. Thank you for your love on this earth, this life. Rest easy. Your work here is done.

Hit and Left... the closure

[This is a update to the "Hit and Left" entry below. Please read it first]

Sad news this evening.

The Vet clinic called to say that the blood tests on Franz were not good. He had a very elevated white-blood count, and signs of severe kidney and liver damage. They also believed he had tumors in his organ(s), and internal bleeding. They recommended euthanizing him.

Reluctantly, I had to agree. He was old and with these injuries, his life was going to be short and painful. Still, it was a tough decision.

So sad, no micro-chip. No collar or tags. No owner to call, nobody to mourn him, or miss him.

Later this night, they did the autopsy at my request. Here is part of the email I received from Dr. Friz:

Dear Mia,

the dog had a bad tumor in the liver and was hit by a car: bleeding in the abdomen, one of the kidneys was completely damaged. Thanks for collecting him and put him out of his misery.

Dorothea

Dear Franz, we are so sorry this was the end for you. But glad you are no longer in pain. Your work on earth this time is done. Bon voyage. Say hello to Morris for us.

Hit and Left

I am now back from LegaProAnimale, --Vet. clinic-- after dropping off an injured stray that was hit by a car and left on the street hurt in front of our Parco.
My husband came back this morning after a training event, and asked if I had seen the dog laying up on the median?

Yes I had, and now I found the opportunity to run up and see if the dog was ok.

Alberto from the animal store spotted me, Antionella from the flower store saw me, I signaled to them that this was an injured dog. I could see blood running from his nose.

When trying to get closer the dog tried to get away wobbling on his back legs. My wonderful husband came driving with my SUV and went out trying to stop the traffic (or slow down) so the dog wouldn't get hit again. Antionella, me and another Italian worked in a circle to try to corner and catch him. The Italian got my leash loop and threw it over the dogs head. Todd pulled up with the "rescue" SUV. The dog tried snapping at us (I would do the same, he was simply acting normal given the situation) so we put a jacket over his head before lifting him into the SUV. And off I went to the Vet clinic, missing my appointment with Jack at the obiedience training.

At LegaProAnimale, Dr. Gigi and Dr Friz came out and brought him in for examination. What I love with the vets AWL works with --- same goes for our own Dr. Inga --- is to watch them work gently, calm and loving with the strays.

Fortunately, nothing was broken, but he was bleeding from his male part, and nose. Probably internal bleeding as well. They put an IV in and did a blood test before I left.

Later today I will call to see how "Franz" is doing (I asked a trainee to name him for me). Please have Franz in your prayers.

Thank you Todd for your support even if you were in a hurry to get back to work. You took time helping this injured stray that was hit by a car, and left to die. Alberto and Antionella and "Italian man", without you I couldn't have caught the stray. Thank you for your big heart(s). And to you who donated money to AWL, he can now be treated, and get good care. Amore thank you all (tutti)

Picture will come up later--and update

Another Cleaning Mission Ahead

"Animals Without Limits" is seeking volunteers on Saturday 4th April 2009 to assist at a local animal shelter. There are approximately 121 dogs at this shelter. Many of these dogs were taken from the “terrible shelter” in Castel Volturno (read from earlier blog). Their lives are much better, and the condition of this shelter is much superior to the one before, but still it needs some help, especially with so many dogs there now.

We will seek to clean the dogs and their kennels-- where these dogs are staying--.
The goal continues to be to make these dogs as adoptable as possible, and having them living in a quality environment both helps in their presentation, and in their mental attitude.

"Happy", clean, well cared for dogs are easier to adopt, and people are more able to picture the dog in their family if he/she is clean and well behaved.

Refreshments for the volunteers will be provided, and rides can be coordinated/provided as required. Time for wet Amore!

We Do Have Heros Too

Denver's KUSA-TV reports on a tragedy averted, but with a shocking end. It started when a house in Golden, Colo., caught fire:
The home was a complete loss, but when firefighters heard barking coming from the basement, they learned that not everything was lost.
"We heard a report that there were dogs in there and we were like, 'Oh no,' " Nathan Wilis said, a firefighter with the Pleasant View Fire Department.
When firefighters reached the basement of the home, the same area where it is believed the fire started, they found two adult Yorkshire terriers and 15 puppies.

"They were pretty scared," Wilis said. "They were cold, they were wet, so we wrapped them in blankets and towels. They actually didn't have enough, so they had to cut them in half to get them in blankets."

Amore Fire Fighters....

Still Remembering Flower

(A dog AWL found dying on the street, brought into vet clinic were she finally could find peace)

"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing"
--- Edmund Burke

Update on Puppy Project

Here is a picture of three of the five puppies at the "skeleton houses". They are growing up fast.

These three are now comfortable enough with me to approach. The other two are still not sure. Good for them!

They all seem healthy at present. Mom is making sure of that. We are continuing to visit and feed them regularly, and when I can get them all to come to me, we will be ready to move to phase II: vaccination and taking them to a safe foster place.

Please keep your fingers crossed for these amore siblings.

Internet Down

Italy has struck once again!

Our internet in the house is down. Italia Telecom assures us that it will be restored "soon".

We will post as soon as it is up and running again.

Keep your fingers crossed for the amore electrons!

Two Amore Goofs

So meet Jack....his name Fox didn't suite him, everyone that met him thought so. Do you like the name...Jack?

Ok Trooper that drives me many times crazy with his DUH!!?? He is a toilet drinker and my husband tells us to put the lid down--normally isn't it the other way around, wife tells husband? Well yesterday he came roaming down with the seat around his neck....I could just Amore laugh.

Devotion & Love Makes Time

Olivia feeding carrots to the horse that lives behind our house.

Devotion and love make time, and gives the animals hope. When you turn away from an animal in need, you are giving the evilness your power. When giving to the animals, you are giving the light strength, and you give the animals life.

This video is why I work every day. (It is not about being strong, it is about being true to yourself. No justifying.... )

If my daughter could watch it, so can you. Are you true to yourself? Can't you devote some time and love to help us help the animals that cannot speak?

They are speaking through this video to you.