Monday, November 30, 2009

LAST SATURDAY MISSION IN RAIN

But that didn't stop us--well some. The puppies are growing so fast and are now learning to eat by themselves.
But a little drink now and then doesn't hurt. Jackie out great volunteer made sure that everything is clean blankets and their little house.

It is not a glamorous job, picking poop after 85 dogs....Brandy did a great job!


Pio an Italian volunteer is at the shelter every Saturday, early morning until late afternoon. Him and Martina (another IT great volunteer) are fantastic.



Todd found the other puppies that were abandoned in a church.
It was a lot of Amore in the rain. Thank you AWL volunteers; Jackie, Lindy, Eric, Todd, Mark, Brandy, Mia, Kristin.




Sunday, November 29, 2009

READ ABOUT PAUL

Please read about Paul click on the link. What a guy!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

YOU CAN STILL VOTE GOLDEN PAW AWARD 2009




YOU CAN VOTE UNTIL THE 29th

Google has automaticlly translation possibilities.
http://tasso.net/Tierschutz/Die-goldene-Pfote/Kategorie-Ausland.aspx

Click on the box were it says AWL Animals Without Limits Suditalien
A presentation AWL shows up, scroll down
At the bottom, will be the place where you can vote. Please click the bubble next to "AWL- Animals Without Limits" and then press the button at the bottom that says "abstimmen".
 
Now, also please share this out to all your friends and family. We only have a few days to get as many votes as possible... the judges will take the voting into consideration. The prize is a "Golden Paw" trophy, and Euro 5000. If AWL wins, this will go toward establishing an animal hospice in Campania Region of S. Italy.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

HEAVENLY DOGS HIMMELKSA HUNDAR


AWL want to thank Himmelska Hundar (Heavenly Dogs) in Stockholm, Sweden for their generous care package. We got medicine for Benjamine.
Walking Halters, they are great! And a lot of treats--they are yummi.
Thank you so much, you are a grande Amore!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

GOLDENE PFOTE 2009 AWARD

We spoke to Tasso and they are having problem with their server. Please try again in a couple of hours. They are so sorry for this. There will be a translation link on their right hand side (site)

Dear Friends of Animals Without Limits,
Our Dear Friends Malte and Sabine, took a great deal of time and effort to enter Animals Without Limits into an annual contest in Germany for organizations working to assist Animals. We were very thankful and flattered that they did so.
Guess what?! Animals Without Limits is among the 13 finalists for the 2009 prize. We have just one more hurdle to clear!
For one week from 24 November, people can go to the website http://www.blogger.com/www.tasso.net and vote for the organization most worthy of winning the 2009 "Golden Paw".
Its in German, but look for "Goldene Pfote 2009", then vote for Animals Without Limits. The judges will take the voting into consideration in their final decision, but it is not the only thing they will look at.
Animals Without Limits requests everyone go to the website and vote during the week after 24 NOV. Pass this to all your friends and relatives, as well... lets get a vote that goes viral!
Your efforts to do this will help us to win. We can only imagine the competition is stiff, but we think we have a worthy goal. Along with the Golden Paw trophy, the winner will receive 5000 Euros. This money would go a long way to establishing AWL's number one priority in Campania: a Hospice for sick, injured and elderly strays that is a safe and loving place for them to recuperate or live out their final days in dignity.
Please, pass this around to family, friends, coworkers and strangers. Lets get as many to vote for Animals Without Limits during the week of 24-29 November as possible.

Its during the Thanksgiving Holidays for Americans, so mark your calendar and don't forget amongst all the turkey dinner and pumpkin pie!
For the Animals,

Saturday, November 21, 2009

DONATIONS AND HELP

Now you can donate every month from your account. Look at the right hand side on this blog, and decide how much you want to donate every month from your account. The buttons "subscribe" Thank you for helping us keeping the dogs healthy!


Today AWL got help from two wonderful girls. Olivia 4 year-old and Jackie (always very young and blossom) At the shelter they cleaned out for the puppies and put in new clean blankets. Then they de-wormed all the puppies so they will be stronger and healthier. Amore girls, thank you!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

THANK YOU SO MUCH EVERYONE

Without your help we cannot keep up with our work.

Because of recent generosity from YOU, we have recently been able to buy more medicine for sick shelter dogs. We can spay and neuter more dogs (and some cats) and give them something wonderful to chew on while locked in cages in the Shelters. We can also clean them so they feel (and smell) better, and don't itch so much which can lead to wounds and infection.

Thank you so much from our hearts, we can be able to do what we do best....help the stray's to be happier and healthier.


Ann-Krisitn Jonsson in Sweden

In memorian of their beloved dog Tossi ("mom" Maria Svegard) in Sweden

Raymond Milen in PA, USA

Monica Ohlsson and Kenny in Stockholm, Sweden

Bella Appelblom in Sweden

Ulla Seidel in Irland

Ulla Lindner in Sweden

Birgitta och Bertil in Hladisch, Sweden

Pigears from the store Smulan & Josefin in Stockholm, Sweden

Shampoo from the company Unique Cosmetics, Sweden AB

Himmelska Hundar, the fantastic dog cafe~resturant in Stockhom, Sweden. Thank you for the medicine for the dogs, walking halters, and all the treats.

YOU ALL ARE SO FANTASTIC, THANK YOU FOR HELPING THE STRAY'S

THE PEARL OF CAMPANIA



Perla is a great, gentle little dog, about 3 years old. She's been spayed, and is longing to be someone's companion in a "forever" home. She is currently in a shelter near Naples, Italy, but could be adopted world-wide.

Won't you consider taking this little girl into your home and heart? www.mytailwagsforyou.blogspot.com

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

FRED AND GINGER READY TO DANCE INTO YOUR HEART AND HOME

Fred and Ginger are siblings, about 5 years old.

Fred's been neutered, Ginger spayed. They are great, playful, loving dogs that deserve better then the shelter near Naples, Italy where they live. Won't you give these two a chance?

Keeping them together would be great, but loving, forever homes for them individually would also be wonderful. They are exceptional dogs! Remember, Ginger did everything Fred did, but while dancing backwards in high heals!

www.mytailwagsforyou.blogspot.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

MAURA WILL STEAL YOUR HEART AND HOME

Please don't forget to visit http://www.miamattsson.blogspot.com/

SCOOBIE- READY FOR ADOPTION

Introducing Scoobie. Another resident at Rossella's Shelter. He is ready and eager to have a place in your heart. (Mia's favorite).

Monday, November 16, 2009

HELP US HELP


If AWL had a hospice we would bring this "old" guy in. Limping, stiff but still a very bright mind, he wouldn't have to walk around trying to scavenge for food. His old scars would fade, he wouldn't have to worry about his sleeping area, to protect it from other strays.
Please help us get our hospice by donating money --- don't forget to earmark them "hospice"

PAOLA A GREAT WOMAN

This is Paola! She is a great woman with a big heart for the animals, strays or pets, horses or ducks, she takes care of everyone. She rescued the cat Tigro from a hectic road. And a Pit bull snooping around in the area now safely lays in her office at her Race horses stable. He got a beautiful collar with a small bell on.
She asked AWL for help to have Tigro castrated. I took her to LegaProAnimale.


Guess what? This lady gave us a donation afterwards....what a great Amore heart.

In the car she called up a Pharmacy owner-- whom she knows--she is a great customer--and told him about us. Of course he would help us to get better prices on the medicine.
What a day, what wonderful Amore people. Paola you are wonderful, we love you.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

FANTASTIC DAY

Our AWL Handy Mandies --Eric & Darren--did fantastic work today, they built a washing platform so we don't have to stay in the muddy mess cleaning the dogs in the future. Great work!
AWL --Keegan--Lindy--Mia--could today de-worm 60 dogs. We rolled Swedish meatballs that went down in a heartbeat. Thanks to all your donations we can keep many dogs healthy, and life will become easier for them.

Our great AWL Jackie was put in the puppy section. A mother was abandoned with a lot of puppies. Jackie made sure everything was clean and made their beds warm and nice with fluffy blankets. First mommy dog wanted to bite Jackie, but Jackie knows with some ground beef she had the Mommy's heart and trust. Great work Jackie.


We hope we can give these sweeties a good start in life, to become strong and healthy.



The last 10 bags of dog food was carried in--the donation from the nice lady Mitra up in Rome. 220 kg donation...so many stomachs to fill. Thank you Mitra.
I saw that AWL Lindy came with a bag of dog food, thank you Lindy for today, you are great.
Thank you all for a fantastic day, building, cleaning, walking and medicating.
Keegan, Eric, Darren, Jackie, Lindy, Ulla, Mia

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

LUPETTA GOT HER PEACE

This is Lupetta!

She became one of our favorites quickly, happy and gentle and with an auroa full of light. She had been in this out door kennel for three years, on a conrete floor together with three other dogs. No one adopted her!

She couldn't walk very well with her back legs old recovery from broken legs in the past.

She had a hard time getting quickly to her food and the little time they were allowed to get out she couldn't move fast. Lindy our volunteer found her in the dog house, carried her out. Lindy brushed off a bag full of hair we don't know when she had been brushed before.

Lupetta loved it, never had anyone touched and loved her that much. She loved every second Saturday when we came out to clean the shelter. We always hurried to her cage.

Lindy bathed her, took her out so she could start exercing her legs, and to our joy she started to use her back legs more and more. We tried to find a foster home but many said no, afraid of getting attached to her. One day Sweden told me after following Lupetta on the blog "We will adopt her" And Lindy said, "I can take her for the 5 months before the papers are done for her to go to Sweden."
One Saturday we noticed her energy was weak. Next time we came to finally pick her up she wasn't there. We hurried to Rossella and she told us Lupetta was being treated at the vet clinic. After 10 days I asked how she was doing, "she was doing better"

The family in Sweden couldn't wait until she could come to them. They were talking about getting her a wagon on wheels and a card to go with her to the aqua swiming therapy for dogs.

At Halloween I got a call, Lupetta was worse she needed blood transfusion and they needed my authority to do so. I called my translator who called the veterinarian and then me and then back again, it was emergency. I cried, she was so close to freedom, and we were so many loving her.

Last Saturday I went to see her (pics above) and she could walk, it was amazing. Still she needed care 24 h/day but maybe the following Saturday (14th) we could bring her to Lindy.

I was happy! Lupetta was weak, but her tail wagged and I got a small kiss, I left her whispering that I would soon come back and bring her out to the freedom she deserved. "You hang in there girl, promise me."

Yesterday I got the phone call that made my heart go all to pieces. Lupetta had become worse and wouldn't make it. She had to be euthanized, she was suffering. They needed my authority!

When you get that kind of call that means they have done everything....

I cried the whole day yesterday, even if my head understood that at least she didn't have to die in a cold, outdoor shelter --- but you tell that to my heart.

Yesterday I was ready to throw in the towel...you know, Lupetta meant the world for me. We could have saved her!

Today the "towel is back in" This is why I need your help with donations, contacts to be able to open up an AWL Hospice. So no one has to say "no" again, being afraid of getting attached to the dog in need. And so no beautiful souls have to die because we couldn't get them out in time.

Lupetta got her freedom but we got our heartache. I got a beautiful email from Doctor Mariagrazia, "Lupetta sadly left us at 14:10 yesterday, in our arms . She thanks everyone for our love." (Mio malgrado devo darle una brutta notizia. Alle ore 14.10 Lupetta ci ha lasciato tra le carezze della collega Paola Corcione, Angela, una volontaria, e le mie. Ringraziando lei e la Sig.re Mia per l'amore dimostrato a Lupetta)

Now, we really need a hospice. Please donate in Lupetta's memory. Don't let Lupetta's death mean nothing to us, let her memory and spirit live on in our hearts and through other strays that can be treated in her name.

WHAT A WOMAN FROM UPER NORTH

Mitra sent me an e mail telling me she wanted to visit me with a present.


And oh my dear it was a fantastic, heartwarming gift for AWL to drive out to Rossella Shelter with it. I was speechless.

This woman is full of life, guts and heart. AWL is so grateful for what she did together with her boyfriend. They drove down from Rome with 210 kg (500lbs) dog food, boxes of dog treats, many bottles of shampoo, cleaning detergent, sponges --- lots of things we always need on our cleaning missions. It was amazing!
The whole day had rained and all our dogs were so happy to see them, they could sense true animal friends with pockets full of treats. Mitra had even baked a Swedish (my favorite) kladd kaka--moist chocolate cake.

A very sensitive woman who stayed for one hour, they carried all the things down to our basement and then thanked me, for what we are doing! Holly Molly what a person--AWL thanks you so much for your fantastic self-generated contribution to help us make it happen. We love you!




Monday, November 9, 2009

HELP & HOPELESS = KEEP ON FIGHTING

Recently I have seen people with a dejected look, standing watching the dogs in the shelter. Some said the shelter dogs would have it better out on the street. Others said they would be better off being put down to sleep.

Many have not been to poor countries, or in war zones. This becomes as a shock for them, the poor-quality shelters, sick animals, the smell.

I remember when I went to Sarajevo by myself, to work with people I didn't know. I followed them watching destroyed buildings, strays running around, starving --- the snow made it difficult for them to find food-- here we have so often garbage laying around.

I listened to their war stories and my tears rolled down. The man in front of me starred at me and said in a harsh way, "Why are you crying, your tears won't help us!" At that moment I became angry at him: how cold hearted his statement was towards me who only tried to help. But later on in my life his words have helped me to keep fighting for the weaker and poor, and it has gone on for 10 years now.

Right now I can feel I want to say his words to many people, "Don't let your tears make you give up, they won't help anyone."


One great woman was so upset over how little people were helping out, and how they could comment about strays in a cold-hearted way. She looked at the shelter dogs and said, "They would have it better off outside on the street."

I understand her feelings, I feel them daily. But like I told her, I won't join those people by giving up, that would show they were right the whole time (and they're not!).


I am not going to stand behind a person who's comments are negative and contribution to the solution is zero.


Strays be happier off on the street? Yes and no.

It's like life, nothing is black or white. It depends on what area you are in as a stray, happy kind people maybe, that make sure the strays get food and medicine and safe zone from traffic. A roof over his head!

Out on the country many farmers are shooting strays protecting their animals since many strays are hungry. They cannot go into a food market and buy a can of food!

The farmer is protecting his animals so we humans can have something to eat.


Some strays are getting beat up on the street with baseball bats, set on fire (see the dog that's on my logo on http://www.animalswithoutlimits.com/ was put on fire by some kids). I have seen people run out, beating the parco dogs with brooms and barbecue sticks. I have seen dogs locked in tiny enclosures, starved, pooing only grass. Strays being thrown over the fence into a shelter.

Medicine and veterinarian treatment are so expensive, so many people cannot afford it and let their "pet" out on the highway in hopes of a quick death by a car hitting them. Or maybe, with no thought at all about how the end will come?


Some volunteers ask me why we don' t get help from other organizations? Some organizations are already helping many other small organizations. Some are only helping their own countrymen, others are against shelters, for euthanizing or against the laws of the Italian Government.


Some internationals are abandoning their pets when leaving and they won't survive 5 minutes on the street or end up in over-crowded shelters. People are complaining about the problem and there are more than 70 shelters with thousands of dogs inside, never coming out because of what the eye's doesn't like to see... nobody knows about.


AWL is against shelters too, but you go into these shelters, and look into the dogs' eyes, and tell them you won't help them because of your opinion.


Its amazing studying people's faces when seeing something that looks ugly, or people with no experience but with an opinion and no solutions.


To you wonderful women, don't let this get you down, behind the corner will always be someone helpful and something bigger. Our Amore belief is always being tested!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

A SUNNY DAY AT THE SHELTER

AWL had a nice, but short day at Rossella's shelter today. Walking, cleaning plastic pallets, brushing and loving these dogs. They give us much love and thankfulness back, so everyone gets emotional since we feel we cannot do enough--we want to bring them home with us.
This handsome fellow was so happy to see his "groomer" Darren again.

Vince, our calm and gentle guy loving-up on the dogs, plenty of treats were also given.


Vince and the AWL team got plastic pallets to the shelter and here it was time to clean them. Thank you all for making it happen. We love you guys!
Tomorrow; amazing people's donations to AWL--hope you will get inspiration(s)



Wednesday, November 4, 2009

ABBY'S FRIEND

I met Abby today with her Foster mother, Tiffany. Abby is having a wonderful time at Tiffany and her husband Stephen's home, with a cat and her now very good friend that she is laying next to (picture above). It breaks my heart that she only has 3 weeks remainig at their place, then we don't know what will happened.

She is a very laid-back female, loves to lay under a coffee table, not big on walks --- children and other dogs she loves. I never met such a calm fantastic dog! DO you know anyone with a great coffee table in need of a dog to lay underneath it?

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

LUCY AND PENNY'S NEW LIFE

I went and picked up Lucy from LPA where she had been sterilized after we had found the "owner" through her microchip. The "owner" said she had given her to a person in Frignano but if we wanted Lili (owner's given name for the dog) "we could keep her". Incredible! Lilli is 11 months old, and was transported to a foster family. The magic is AWL Eric found her a home, a warm family that loves her and thinks she is a wonderful lapdog.


Penny was found by AWL Eric with a big heavy chain around her neck. He drove her to LPA were she got sterilized, de wormed and frontlined. I picked her up the same day I picked Lucy up and transferred her to Eric were he transferred her to her new owner.

The new owner is madly in love with sweet Penny.




AWL thanks Eric for working hard finding good homes for those who got kicked out in the cold. We also want to thank YOU for your donations, thanks to you we can have them sterilized and health checked. This is Amore working together.




Monday, November 2, 2009

OUR BELOVED ABBY

Abby was found abandoned at the gas station. Shivering and timid, she was sneezing blood. AWL was working full speed to rescue her. Since we don't have many foster homes or a hospice we don't know were to bring the dogs after a visit at the vet clinic. And here are thousands of wounded--in one way or another--and we cannot keep up. It's heartbreaking many times. We think Abby got hit by a car because she couldn't walk.

We brought her to the vet. and he examined her. A foster home with Tiffany and husband, cat and a small dog and she is recovering. Still sneezing --she's on medication--but not blood. I had the feeling she would start walking, after some peace of mind, food and warmth, her shock would diminish. We humans are the same.

I called Tiffany to check on Abby after a one-week stay, and to all our happiness Abby can walk--but not down stairs. The family had put out treats and exercised her in that way. Abby loves to lay under the coffee table, she is a very quiet, calm, loving dog, who just wants "a coffee table" and a stay forever. An easier dog you would have to look hard to find....

(Abby earlier blogs)