Thursday, December 30, 2010

ULLA AND MARIA AND LENA A BIG WARM THANK YOU

It is like magic when the post man delivers big packages into your hospice, and you know it is gifts. Like children we open up and smile and being filled with a warm feeling--kindness!

Ulla Lindner sent a big package with this fantastic dog "cover" "Back on Track" that warms up muscles and keep their joints more moveable. Back problems improve. And it was the best present to Boss who has hip and back problems.


She sent so many goodies to the dogs: pig ears, bags of treats, and rawhide sticks. Christmas ornaments for the hospice that we enjoyed for our Lucia party.

And, all the goodies for me that I hid for my family.

Maria Hahne ---Bonitas mom--- had sent great dog clothing for our smaller and medium dogs.

Both put in donations on AWL's account to buy food for the shelter dogs--That's Amore


Another wonderful Swedish woman Lena Lillier --Freckles's mom-- sent a great care package for the hospice kids (oldies)--and me!

Lady was thrilled over hers. I was amazed at the comfort and beautiful design that covered their front and under their bellies.


Leo wears his day and night, he just loves it. Warm and cozy. His movements have improved greatly, he is stepping around better than ever.

Dicky's got a little bit big, but better that than skin and bones. He loves his jacket and when I take it off he is so warm and lovely. He is in a big thrill, and it is helping his arthritis be better.

Lena, Maria and Ulla in Sweden, thank you so much for your wonderful gifts to the Hospice. That's warm Amore.





Wednesday, December 29, 2010

CONTESSA IN URGENT NEED

I got a text asking if we could help a dog in a shelter with an eye problem. Of course we could, I called our Dr Loungo and to my wonderful surprise, the eye specialist Dr. Alexandra was going to be there down from Rome this very afternoon. An appointment was scheduled.


My wonderful animal friends Pio and Martina got to the 400 dog shelter and brought out "nameless' ... I named her Contessa!

She is 10 years-old and has been in the shelter since 2003.


A surgery can be done, the cancer can be removed but first we need to x ray her Monday to see how her inside body looks like. She will be staying at our hospice for her recovery period.


My whole inside hurts, I feel powerless, it hurts to see that a dog has to live under sad conditions where the Government has stopped paying. It's a shame.


Please, AWL is out of money, we desperately need donations, earmarked for Contessa. Please help us give her the season of miracle.

BRUNO THE LOST ONE

Bruno is a sweet hunting dog between 5-6 years-old. He was spotted by Tammy and Deb, two animal friends through their car window. They saw him trying to find human contact, but the man he had chosen kept swinging his fist, hitting towards the dog. Tammy and Deb went out and asked if it was his dog--no it wasn't and he didn't know anyone owning the dog. The women opened the door to their car and in flew "Bruno"

They drove him to LegaProAnimale were Dr Gigi took care of him, castrated and de-wormed. He had an old fracture on his front left leg and a big scare over his back. He had probably been hit by a car and got caught under the car... dragged. Then it started to heal on its own.


Bruno was just skin and bones. His long front claws shows also he has been chained up. Three days later I went out to the clinic to pick up another dog. I peeked in Bruno's box and fell madly in love. This goof has so much love and play, I took him with me in the car, back to the hospice.



He is together with three males, and loves going in the car (slight problem to jump in due to his shoulder break) he loves going for a walk and he loves my children. He will be a perfect family dog for some special, lucky family.

Thank you Tammy and Deb for sponsoring his bills, thank you AWL for taking care of him, that's Amore.

If you are interested in Bruno please contact us, but only if you are truly deserving of this fellow's affection and loyalty!




Tuesday, December 28, 2010

OUR NEW HOSPICE CLIENT

This is Rosita, 18 years-old.

She has been living on the streets nearly her whole life, being fed and looked after by Italian women. But the last months, they could sense Rosita wasn't doing so well.


At the vet. clinic they told the woman that Rosita has heart problems and could not live on the streets any more. She needed a quiet, calm life being medicated twice a day.


My animal friend Martina contacted me asking if it was possible for Rosita to live the rest of her time at the hospice?

Absoloutely! She is a good client having her big warm dog bed, always good food, and being cared for and medicated. She no longer has to worry about dodging cars, other dogs, or finding a dry place to sleep when it is raining and cold.


But, Rosita does need a sponsor. Please help her by donating for medicine and special can food.

Monday, December 27, 2010

YEARLY WARM TRADITION-LUCIA AT THE HOSPICE


For ten years now I have observed a yearly tradition, a Lucia fest in my home. The guests that I invite bring a bag of dog food each instead of a bottle of wine or flower to me. In years past, all the bags would be donated to a shelter in need. It always felt good meeting friends and shareing some Glogg (red sweet Swedish drink, has to be warm) with some snacks. And, to collect 30 bags of dog food for others in need. Christmas hits many organizations very baddly, so it feels like a win-win situation.

This year we had it at the AWL Hospice among the oldies and some younger ones. It felt even better to show the guests what we were doing and for them to meet our clients.



Patty is a wonderful volunteer who helps out at the hospice a lot. I love her way towards the animals, her self going and great ideas. She is a big asset for the oldies and me.



The Lucia evening was wonderful, with approximately 40 people from Italy, Canada, USA and Sweden. Oriana's husband entertained the children wonderfully.

But this evening was the coldest in a long time, and we no heat at the hospice we were stepping around to keep our self warm. It was a kind of torture, the dogs had their fur coats.



But many times it is a good thing to "celebrate" were the help is needed, you get to feel it instead of hear it.

A couple of days later our Dutch friends came down to the hospice with 400 liters of gas to the hospice. We were in the earthly heaven.

Thank you all guests that made this evening warm and loving and for all the dog food, blankets, towels, dog biscuits, toys, cleaning detergent, dog house/crate.

Thank you, wonderful Dutch family JP, Babs, Ticco and Peter for the gas. 400 liters! WOW!!!!That's wonderful warm, Amore!

Friday, December 24, 2010

HAPPY ENDING--Thank you all

I think this is my happiest story.

Maybe because it was a big family of 10 dogs, remember? Click on this link to refresh your memory... maybe it was so many to find good homes for, and the puppies got great homes and my worries for the mother Lady and father Boss would find a great home together ate me alive. We had contacted a fantastic organization in Spain that we could drive to, but our personal life's put a stop to that idea. An animal friend offered to fly them over to a British couple in Spain who wanted to adopt them. But lack of money made that undertaking a big question mark.

I had been told that homes separately could be found for them relatively easily. But I refused. Boss and Lady were born together and had gone through so much together. I wanted them to end together. I saw when we separated them for a walk or to take one to the vet, how sad and worried they became. Our hospice wasn't the paradise they deserved, but it was better than what they had before. I wouldn't give up.


Finally, one day I get an e-mail from my "secretary" that the Great Dane rescue lady Stefania now had found a perfect match. The prospective adopters would drive down from north of Rome to meet Boss and Lady.



And Emanuela and her mother came down and as soon as I hugged them, I knew they were perfect. They were smiling and laughing in a warm way when they saw goofy Boss playing and they couldn't stop cuddling with Lady. They were perfect and I cried. Big, happy tears.

These are the pictures Emanuela sent to me. They have a huge garden, like a soccer field. And thanks to Lena Lillier and Ulla Lindner who sent dog covers, Lady and Boss are doing great and staying warm in the snow up north (a first for them).




And going from stable floor, to hospice floor to their own sofa in a warm and loving home, they are in heaven but still on Earth. This is Amore!


Thank you all for supporting this long journey and not giving up. Jennifer at Hotel Agora who introduced me to this Great Dane family and who sponsored the spay and neuter... you really were the catalyst for this to happen.

Pio for taking long walks with Boss, and Martina for your support and contacting and being the middle hand for the Great Dane rescue Italy Stefania, I love you guys.

Todd for not giving up and the late nights being at the hospice sitting with them giving them love and attention.


And to this wonderful family that together with Stefania, show that miracles do happen (it is the season for miracles, after all!)


And once again, I didn't give up!


Beautiful Lady.






















Thursday, December 23, 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LOS ANGELES FRIENDS

AWL want to thank our long distance four legged friends for their generous donation, 1000 dollar That is Barking Amore ;

"From Creature, Vinnie and Lizzie in Los Angeles to their dog freinds in Naples - Merry Christmas"


Wednesday, December 22, 2010

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT 2010

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We thank you all for a wonderful 2010. Your support have meant the world for the oldies!

Craig Kleber in Los Angeles, your donations have meant heaven for the oldies.

Megan Seibert and Tracey Kleber your animal friendship and support is so much Amore.

Thank you all

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Friday, December 17, 2010

A FIRST DAY OFF SLOWING DOWN

I had promised myself to cut down on working, of course Hospice full speed but not rescuing, I need a break. First in the morning I took Boss our Great Dane rescue to go to the ASL dog catching veterinarian clinic to have the microchip ownership changed. It is something that has been on my "to do list" for a long time, but there is always something else coming in between.

My husband was kind to help me lift this 75 kg boy into my SUV. Since Boss has bad hips he doesn't jump, he digs his paws down into the ground and freezes into a heavy statue.

He is a sweet heart in the car, he sits and small talks the whole way. He did great.


Tammy our animal friend has been busy feeding this beautiful lady Husky "Contessa." She is young, wonderful, sweet, good in the car. Tammy took her to LegaPro Animale, and they are keeping her there to be spayed and de wormed. AWL is taking care of the bills, thanks to your donations. We can manage to have her there for 3 days, then she has to be released back on the street if no one can foster or adopt her.

Contessa is a very smart, calm, gentle female. She fell asleep in the car, exhausted after probably being dumped and trying to survive on the streets.

Our favorite veterinarian Dr Gigi. He always has a smile and a calm voice while treating the animals.
Getting ready. Saturday she is being released back on the street if no one can step up and give her a warm bed and a home. She is a fantastic dog, it breaks our hearts.

So I am driving home to take care of our 19 dogs and some yard work. I am ashamed how neglected my own dogs are. They always hear "wait. wait."

Close to our gate I spot a small little dog, running scared, trying to avoid being hit by several cars that are honking angry at this poor thing. I could see the dog was not street smart at all, panicking.

A couple of cars are parked and some guys are standing talking. Now the dog is up by them trying to get some eye contact, but they are ignoring her.

Instead of closing my eyes and ignore it, I jump out. She puts her little head in my hand. No microchip, no collar, no spay tattoo on stomach.

In my SUV and out to LegaPro Animale.



I know how busy they are but they were nice to take her in and have her spayed. Ms Maple will be picked up Monday and if no one can give her a home (foster or forever) we will have to release her back to the streets.


She is young, 1 to 1-1/2 years old, great in the car, I could carry her she said nothing. Great at the vet. Ms Maple is a sweetheart.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

THE GERMAN SHEPARD GIRLS, GETTING BIG

Yesterday I picked Gracey Lynn up from LegaProAnimal, after being spayed --and she stayed one night at the clinic--. She was such a good girl. I am so proud over her.
On the examination table...all these terrible shots, but for a good cause.

This is an old photo but Michelle the owner haven't any picture of her Izzy yet only this old picture that I took when she adopted her.
But AWL paid her sterilization as promised when being adopted by me.
Thank you all for your donations, we can truly help the animals with the spay and neuter program. That's Amore


Sunday, December 12, 2010

MAGAZINE ARTICLE DOGLIFE





Thank you Magazine HUNDLIV for a fantastic article about our work here in Campania region.
That's Amore!











Saturday, December 11, 2010

A BIG AMORE CRY FOR HELP



Lately I have been surrounded by many loving people who understand the difficulty of our undertaking, and that my time sometimes is not enough to help everyone. With two children and 31 dogs, running between hospice and home, trying to get donations to shelters, meeting the children's school obligations, taking care of the house, etc... I sometimes need many extra hours in the day to get it all done. On top of everything, I now know that my husband will leave in January to go far away for quiet some time.
From my heart--I never ask after many favors, but this time I truly need help--I need volunteers that can be self going 1-3 hours a week (after some time working at my side to learn the ins-and-outs of everything). You volunteers can pick the time and day but since I have two small children, there are some definite times that I have to have help covering at the hospice --- mostly in the early morning and late evenings when my husband is away. The morning would be 06.00 0r 07.00 or 08.00 or between. It takes from 30 minutes to one hour to let them out, feed them and clean up any accidents on the floor there may be. The late evening shift would be between 21.00 or 22.00, but this wouldn't take long, only let them out for their night-time potty action, check so everything is ok and then lock them in and turn off the light.
The last days I have had wonderful help from Patty (US) who has been giving me so many mornings off, its been heaven! I have been able to take care of my family and our own 18 dogs in a non-stressed environment. Patty is amazing, I remember one morning she called and asked if she could go over and do some yard work? I couldn't believe my ears, what a wonderful gesture.

Also every Tuesday evening my trooper volunteer Greta has been over there, feeding and cleaning. On top of everything she is soon going to have a baby. What a girl!!!


Pio takes the Monday evening, and I know Boss and Lady (Great Danes) loves when he comes, they adore him. And its lovely for me to have one evening off, too.

It has been a bigger challenge for AWL since the Navy Base's organization NFOA dissolved. We get all the "broken heart" calls now. Calls like, "Leaving the country cannot take the dog with them," or "someone dumped puppies on base". Some people "rescue" puppies, but after a week decide they don't want them after all, or the dog chews in the house, they want him put down. I can go on and on, but you get the picture.
We've counselled people before that want to discard their pets when it is time to leave. We tell them that taking a pet is a lifetime committment (for the pet), but by the time we talk to them, they are already decided and committed to casting off their "best friend." In many ways, "rescuing" a stray, shelter or dumped animal is also a life-time committment. The "rescuer" has just taken it upon themselves to care for that animal until a "forever" home can be found, sometimes not a short-term activity. The time it takes to find that forever home is not entirely within the control of the "rescuer". Would-be rescuers need to realize this simple fact before scooping that cute puppy out of the box, or opening the car door to the stray. It seems doubly sad, and extremely frustrating, when a "rescuer" becomes part of the problem, not the solution they thought they would be.

What we do is not about money. We are 100% volunteer operated, nobody gets a dime in salary, and much of what we buy for the animals comes out of our own pockets. Still, without money and donations, there is only so much we can do. We get more calls for help than donations and it makes our work more difficult. Let me try to explain why it is not easy for us to help everyone.
Due to who we are, we get a lot of calls from the Navy Base asking for help. We are an international organization, not only focused on Campania, and certainly not only focused on the US Navy Base in Naples. We'd love to be able to put up posters on base, telling people what we need and how to get it to us. Simple stuff like donations of food, cleaning supplies, old blankets and of course money. But we are prohibited from putting any such announcements on base, because of Navy regulations.

Now, if we became "command recognized" by the Base Commander, we would be able to do those things, but to do so would require us to forego soliciting for or accepting from businesses and other organizations any donations. We simply can't do that, remember we are international! What we might get through on-base advertising and fund-raisers would not offset what we are begining to get through outside solicitation. For instance, in 2011, we will be able to spay/neuter over 600 animals due to a grant we received from a US foundation.


All of this isn't to say we won't help animals in need from the Navy Base. Regardless of where the animals come from, we try our best to help them. But we are not a base resource, and not constituted to be able to immediately address a problem. If you are calling to ask for help, please give us time to arrange help, follow through with what we ask of you (e.g. take pictures so we can post them, answer our questions in a timely manner, etc.), and above all be patient. Your stress only makes the animal's situation that much worse, and is not necessary.

To those who have or will ask for help with an animal, we thank you for your concern. By asking for help, rather than turning your back on the animal in need or worse, you are already better than many people. Please continue to be part of the solution; don't become part of the problem.

We don't put up posters or have fund-raisers on base, we have never caused any problems, quiet the opposite we have rescued many abandoned dogs, and in some cases abused/neglected animals from apartments on base. But we need help with getting the word out, what we are begging for is volunteers. Before, we worked together with NFOA Presidents Genni and Whitney, and then we could together solve more problems. But now NFOA is gone and we are alone, and we need more help. Please help us by spreading the word about our need for volunteers and donations of things we need. Help us to help the rest of the community, please. Pay the amore forward!













Friday, December 10, 2010

MICHELLE RESCUED AND HELPED

Michelle was found on the streets by animal lover and rescuer Giulia. Michelle is pregnant. AWL made an appointment at Lega Pro Animale and Michele could go there and get an abortion and get sterilized.

Thanks to your donations, AWL can help both animal rescuer and the strays. Being a stray is tough and having puppies is in many times a nightmare. Puppies born to strays struggle to live, and often fail.

Thank you all for supporting us so we all can work as a team. That's Amore

Monday, December 6, 2010

THE DANGER WITH HEAVY RAIN

For several weeks we have had horrible weather with a lot of rain and hard wind. It has not been easy for the strays, being wet and cold. The little female girl, not even one year old took protection under a van from the heavy rain. Sensitive and shy she didn't move when the family came out from the house, ran to the van and started it. She didn't move!


As the family in their van started to roll, they heard a heartbreaking scream. They jumped out and there they saw this little girl still caught under the wheel.


The family got her out and called a woman named Tammy who tried to contact me, but I was busy stitching up a torn-up ear on one of the hospice residents.


Tam called Dr Damiani and told the family to come in an emergency to the clinic, and they did.




Little "Socket" was such a good girl, even as a stray, she put all her trust in the Doctor who did a great job rescuing her leg.


I went there the next morning and visited, and Socket was doing so much better. Animals are fantastic to heal quickly.


I talked to the family and they came in the next day to pick her up.

AWL made sure that she got her vaccinations and de-worming on top of the big accident treatment.


Socket is now adopted by another family with children that she already adores.


So when it is raining, please check under your car, some strays won't even move when your car starts.


When the family came to pick up Socket, they had this little 5 kg guy with them. Also a stray that moved in to their yard and then into the house. He came at the same time as Socket, but has more guts. AWL made sure that Toto could be vaccinated and de-wormed too. That's Amore.


Thank you to the family for bringing Socket in and for your donation, same to Tammy for your donation and AWL for the rest of the bill--it is all you who make it possible for us to help those in need. That's grande Amore.






Saturday, December 4, 2010

AWL AWARD TO RITA

AWL's award board agrees it is difficult to nominate great animal rescuers, there are many to choose from. Many are trying and doing their best, even if they're busy with school, family or work and their own dogs. But the board saw something extra one day a couple of months ago in Rita Schneider.

Julian (dog) was found paralyzed and couldn't see. The finder didn't want to keep him, she had a lot of explanations why not. AWL brought him to Dr Damiani for treatments but didn't have a foster home. Rita said "bring him here!" She cared for Julian and gave him his medicine, and one day he even ran through the apple tree plantation adjacent to her home. Julian got a couple of months of happiness and was the most loving soul, but the Universe called him home. Not for nothing, Julian taught us a lot about ourselves.

AWL's award board was touched by Director Mia's story about Lea. She and other volunteers visited a shelter with 500 dogs. When leaving they are being passed by a big female limping, skinny and sick with Erlichia. With tears Mia asked where the dog was going and got the answer she had been spayed and now released back on the street (sick) Mia took Lea in the car and once again Rita said, "bring her here."

Medicine was bought and Rita's mother sponsored Lea with special dog food for her liver that is so expensive, everything to get Lea back to health. And so she did, AWL Lea is now a big, overweight girl (she gets in to all food) and healthy. Now staying at Mia's house together with 17 other dogs, and she is doing great.

This is Amore; any foster is special, but to take in multiple dogs with special needs, to help special cases in need with medicine, home and care goes above and beyond the call. Rita, thank you for what you do for the homeless, sick un-wanted animals. That's Amore.

Friday, December 3, 2010

AWL IN MAGAZINE HUNDLIV

Thank you magazine Hundliv for a fantastic article about AWL work here in Campania.
3 pages...we are forever thankful to you for helping giving those who doesn't have a voice a face.
Go out and buy HUNDLIV number 5, its out now.

Thank you Maria Cidh, you are Dog Amore!