Animals Without Limits is an international, non-profit foundation dedicated to assisting animals in crisis situations. It is 100% volunteer operated by a pool of dedicated, caring people around the world.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
VISIT FROM METROPLEX ANIMAL COALITION
Some time ago, I think back in April, I received a letter from a woman name Jonnie from the Mitchell Foundation, in Dallas, Texas, USA. They were interested in coming over and visiting different organizations and foundations that worked with helping animals.Well, in September she and Ashley came over, and I got the pleasure to show them around in our area. We visited our 18 dogs--that could be like a kennel in itself. And all the dogs loved up on them, and so did my daughter Olivia.
I took them around to one of the better shelters in Liccola, with 500 dogs. I wanted them to visit the Governmental shelter in Giuliano but since I am not allowed inside that horrible shelter, we took a drive around the outside.
Outside the shelter we saw some strays. One female with a bad eye infection. Ashley and I jumped out and put out some food. Jonnie and Ashley donated money to help the female with medicine. And so we did, I went back with two Italian volunteers, and we medicated her (and named her Laura).
I had a great day, it felt less hard to show them around since they understood what I was talking about and what needed to be done. It was very nice to have "colleagues" They took me to lunch, we visited the AWL hospice and the day went by so fast and it was time to drive them to the train station. There, we met my favorite stray that always hangs around there. He is such a sweet heart and he is a happy stray
Thank you Jonnie and Ashley for visiting us it was a true pleasure. Love your t shirts ;-)
Later on Jonnie and Ashley visited the dogs in Pompeii.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Lost Dog - Fairfield, CT
Bulletin from the cause: Bikers Against Animal Cruelty, Inc. (B.A.A.C.)
Posted By: Jessica Limmer Miller
To: Members in Bikers Against Animal Cruelty, Inc. (B.A.A.C.)
Lost dog - Fairfield, CT!
I am asking for your help in finding my lost dog, Hamish.
SPECIES: DOG
BREED: SCOTTISH TERRIER
PET NAME: HAMISH
LOST: 10/17/2010
AGE: 7 YEARS, 5 MONTHS
PRIMARY COLOR: BLACK
SECONDARY COLOR: GRAY
WEIGHT: 30
SEX: M
MICROCHIP #: 985121008104676
LAST SEEN:
FAIRFIELD, CT 06824 HAM WAS IN OUR YARD AT 509 BURR STREET IMMEDIATELY BEFORE HE WANDERED OFF.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:
Ham is very brindle (grayish). He has a white star on his chest.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
MEDICAL INFORMATION:
MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
Epilepsy
THINK THAT YOU HAVE SEEN THIS PET? PLEASE CALL OUR 24/7 RECOVERY CENTER AT 1-888-HOMEAGAIN (1-888-466-3242
Posted By: Jessica Limmer Miller
To: Members in Bikers Against Animal Cruelty, Inc. (B.A.A.C.)
Lost dog - Fairfield, CT!
I am asking for your help in finding my lost dog, Hamish.
SPECIES: DOG
BREED: SCOTTISH TERRIER
PET NAME: HAMISH
LOST: 10/17/2010
AGE: 7 YEARS, 5 MONTHS
PRIMARY COLOR: BLACK
SECONDARY COLOR: GRAY
WEIGHT: 30
SEX: M
MICROCHIP #: 985121008104676
LAST SEEN:
FAIRFIELD, CT 06824 HAM WAS IN OUR YARD AT 509 BURR STREET IMMEDIATELY BEFORE HE WANDERED OFF.
OTHER CHARACTERISTICS:
Ham is very brindle (grayish). He has a white star on his chest.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
MEDICAL INFORMATION:
MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
Epilepsy
THINK THAT YOU HAVE SEEN THIS PET? PLEASE CALL OUR 24/7 RECOVERY CENTER AT 1-888-HOMEAGAIN (1-888-466-3242
Thursday, October 21, 2010
IN MEMORIUM OF CODY
I apologize that I have not been updating AWL 's blog in a couple of days, suddenly I must have gotten writer's block, or more emotional block. In life you can met someone and for a very short time you get very attached to that person or animal. It recently happened to me.
A couple of weeks ago I recieved an e-mail from a family who was devestated. Their 10 year old fury friend had biten their one year old daughter, not once but twice. The ER doctor that stiched their daughter up told them they had to put the dog to sleep. Imagine, your best friend that lived with you, moved with you all the way from Hawaii, slept in your room, went on big walks....now you had to put him to sleep. Of course their daughter was most important, but guilt and friendship is difficult to handle all the same. They would walk around rest of their life getting memories that they had to put him down.
Cody didn't like puppies or children in his face, and most of this family's friends had children. It would always be nervousness and unease, worrying if Cody would bite again.
They made an appointment to euthanize their buddy. But the veterinarian on base told them to call me. Every day I get many e-mails, and many of them are "if you don't get my dog we will throw him into a shelter."
This one was so emotionally strong, not begging...explaining with a frustration, or confusion, or resigned saddness.
I wrote back that I wanted to met Cody. Maybe he could stay at the hospice?
I met the family, and Cody walked right up to me and gave me his nose to nose, not a lick and then he laid down away from me. I could sense his kindness, and how much they loved him.
They told me that "grandma" in Hawaii could take him, they only had to wait for his passport, that would probably be ready in the middle of November.
I thought it was brilliant! He would stay with us at the hospice and then we would ship him to Hawaii. Although about 10 years old, he was the picture of good health and could have many good years left.
The family came and droped him off, we were all smiling over how Cody was the only one who got his own room on the second floor, with a bed and a view out to the lake and mountains in the distant background. The other oldies couldn't make it up the stairs.
Cody had a huge stuffed dinosauer that he carried or slept with. He got his mom's pillow on the bed so he could still smell her sent. "Mom" felt so bad, she cried even if she knew he was safe now. She felt like she had deserted him.
We kept e-mail contact and they came and visited Cody once in a while, and he was so happy to see them. They played catch and cuddled in the couch. Always, they sent a thank you note to me afterward.
One morning at 0500 Cody came down as always and we greeted each other, then he went out and made his buisness. I was standing making the food when I suddenly felt something wasn't correct, Cody was not standing behind me drooling for his breakfast. I called. No answer.
I ran up to his room and outside I found him laying having a strong seizure, it was the most difficult thing I ever seen. His whole body was in such a cramp. Next to him laid Angel, our 17 year old blind male had walked up all the stairs to lay down next to him. I sat with Cody, trying to comfort him and figure out what to do. Behind my legs laid my own German Shepard, Zara, supporting me.
It was now 0600 and I called our veterinarian's home and woke him up explaining what was going on. I knew I needed to do something. Valium! I ran downstairs, made a shot, back up and gave it to him.
I carried him down to my SUV and drove like a maniac to the Emergency animal hospital that pulled me into a room right away.
He stayed there for 24 hours and his blood test was great, healthy. Poison or tumor? We searched the hospice for any trace of a poison that he might have gotten into. Nothing.
They couldn't medicate him since they didn't know what it was, I took him back to the hospice, with the instruction to come back if he got a new seizure.
His family was there visiting him, of course with the painful question, "What had happened?"
He came back to the hospice and was ok for a couple of days, but I could sense something was wrong. I noticed that when I called to him, he looked the other way. I took him to our veterinarian for tests, a new blood test and by Dr Fransesco who is a brain specialist ( forgive me, I know he has a fancier name than that).
He made some tests with his legs that showed there was something neurologically wrong, but what? Whatever it was, was happening so fast to worsen his capacity as a dog.
The x-rays, MRI and CAT scans with specialist were up in Rome, three hours away, but an appointment was made. The family would drive the next day.
The night before Cody started to become sick again. I gave him valium like I'd been advised, but he stopped eating. During the night he had several small seizures but was able to sleep in between them. But when the morning came, he started to be worse. Kate his wonderful mom, came driving and we put Cody gentlely in the car on his blancket with his beloved dinosaur next to him. Off they drove at a high speed, up to the specialists in Roma.
Hours later I received the news, "'Cody didn't make it. He had a big tumor in his brain. Thank you for everything you have done for Cody and us."
This was last Friday, and still I don't go up to the room he slept in. I miss Cody so much. We volunteers joked that Cody was such a good guy, loving and funny making the hospice to feel lively, like a home. We all felt Cody was special.
So interesting in life how a short relationship can tattoo your heart with such strong feeling. I can never image the pain his mom must be going through right now.
I try to comfort myself with the thought that "whomever" planned this did it so we could get an answer. If Cody would have been put to sleep after he bit their daughter, maybe maybe his owner would feel guilty frequently through life for putting their best friend down. Now, with the tumor they get to feel closure and show the world that Cody wasn't a dangerous dog, something else triggered his behavior in the end. Something his gentle nature couldn't overcome.
At the hospice we have a puppy, "Gracey Lynn," who really was hanging in Cody's face. He never ever did anything to her, I was amazed. I even told him "Cody you can tell her 'no'" but he never would, not even a little warning snarl. My children were with me, other children came and visited. I told them what I knew about Cody and told them to let him be...and they did....and so did he. He really was such a great dog.
Farewell, Cody. We hope you and your family will be reunited one day, across the rainbow bridge, where you can run and play again, forever.
A couple of weeks ago I recieved an e-mail from a family who was devestated. Their 10 year old fury friend had biten their one year old daughter, not once but twice. The ER doctor that stiched their daughter up told them they had to put the dog to sleep. Imagine, your best friend that lived with you, moved with you all the way from Hawaii, slept in your room, went on big walks....now you had to put him to sleep. Of course their daughter was most important, but guilt and friendship is difficult to handle all the same. They would walk around rest of their life getting memories that they had to put him down.
Cody didn't like puppies or children in his face, and most of this family's friends had children. It would always be nervousness and unease, worrying if Cody would bite again.
They made an appointment to euthanize their buddy. But the veterinarian on base told them to call me. Every day I get many e-mails, and many of them are "if you don't get my dog we will throw him into a shelter."
This one was so emotionally strong, not begging...explaining with a frustration, or confusion, or resigned saddness.
I wrote back that I wanted to met Cody. Maybe he could stay at the hospice?
I met the family, and Cody walked right up to me and gave me his nose to nose, not a lick and then he laid down away from me. I could sense his kindness, and how much they loved him.
They told me that "grandma" in Hawaii could take him, they only had to wait for his passport, that would probably be ready in the middle of November.
I thought it was brilliant! He would stay with us at the hospice and then we would ship him to Hawaii. Although about 10 years old, he was the picture of good health and could have many good years left.
The family came and droped him off, we were all smiling over how Cody was the only one who got his own room on the second floor, with a bed and a view out to the lake and mountains in the distant background. The other oldies couldn't make it up the stairs.
Cody had a huge stuffed dinosauer that he carried or slept with. He got his mom's pillow on the bed so he could still smell her sent. "Mom" felt so bad, she cried even if she knew he was safe now. She felt like she had deserted him.
We kept e-mail contact and they came and visited Cody once in a while, and he was so happy to see them. They played catch and cuddled in the couch. Always, they sent a thank you note to me afterward.
One morning at 0500 Cody came down as always and we greeted each other, then he went out and made his buisness. I was standing making the food when I suddenly felt something wasn't correct, Cody was not standing behind me drooling for his breakfast. I called. No answer.
I ran up to his room and outside I found him laying having a strong seizure, it was the most difficult thing I ever seen. His whole body was in such a cramp. Next to him laid Angel, our 17 year old blind male had walked up all the stairs to lay down next to him. I sat with Cody, trying to comfort him and figure out what to do. Behind my legs laid my own German Shepard, Zara, supporting me.
It was now 0600 and I called our veterinarian's home and woke him up explaining what was going on. I knew I needed to do something. Valium! I ran downstairs, made a shot, back up and gave it to him.
I carried him down to my SUV and drove like a maniac to the Emergency animal hospital that pulled me into a room right away.
He stayed there for 24 hours and his blood test was great, healthy. Poison or tumor? We searched the hospice for any trace of a poison that he might have gotten into. Nothing.
They couldn't medicate him since they didn't know what it was, I took him back to the hospice, with the instruction to come back if he got a new seizure.
His family was there visiting him, of course with the painful question, "What had happened?"
He came back to the hospice and was ok for a couple of days, but I could sense something was wrong. I noticed that when I called to him, he looked the other way. I took him to our veterinarian for tests, a new blood test and by Dr Fransesco who is a brain specialist ( forgive me, I know he has a fancier name than that).
He made some tests with his legs that showed there was something neurologically wrong, but what? Whatever it was, was happening so fast to worsen his capacity as a dog.
The x-rays, MRI and CAT scans with specialist were up in Rome, three hours away, but an appointment was made. The family would drive the next day.
The night before Cody started to become sick again. I gave him valium like I'd been advised, but he stopped eating. During the night he had several small seizures but was able to sleep in between them. But when the morning came, he started to be worse. Kate his wonderful mom, came driving and we put Cody gentlely in the car on his blancket with his beloved dinosaur next to him. Off they drove at a high speed, up to the specialists in Roma.
Hours later I received the news, "'Cody didn't make it. He had a big tumor in his brain. Thank you for everything you have done for Cody and us."
This was last Friday, and still I don't go up to the room he slept in. I miss Cody so much. We volunteers joked that Cody was such a good guy, loving and funny making the hospice to feel lively, like a home. We all felt Cody was special.
So interesting in life how a short relationship can tattoo your heart with such strong feeling. I can never image the pain his mom must be going through right now.
I try to comfort myself with the thought that "whomever" planned this did it so we could get an answer. If Cody would have been put to sleep after he bit their daughter, maybe maybe his owner would feel guilty frequently through life for putting their best friend down. Now, with the tumor they get to feel closure and show the world that Cody wasn't a dangerous dog, something else triggered his behavior in the end. Something his gentle nature couldn't overcome.
At the hospice we have a puppy, "Gracey Lynn," who really was hanging in Cody's face. He never ever did anything to her, I was amazed. I even told him "Cody you can tell her 'no'" but he never would, not even a little warning snarl. My children were with me, other children came and visited. I told them what I knew about Cody and told them to let him be...and they did....and so did he. He really was such a great dog.
Farewell, Cody. We hope you and your family will be reunited one day, across the rainbow bridge, where you can run and play again, forever.
Monday, October 18, 2010
AWL AWARD TO ABBI'S FAMILY
For such a long time I have wanted to write to you about Abby's new life in Sweden, and every time I started, I've felt sorrow. Not that she is having it bad, quiet the opposite, she is in her Paradizzo. Read here about Abby, what a trooper, what a story:Maria's family adopted her and they knew that Abby had a bad leg but not as bad as it turned out to be, because Abby's "fixed" leg was broken again. It killed my heart since I felt bad that our Vet team hadn't checked it again with an x-ray to be sure.
On top of everything, the Italian governmental veterinarian team didn't know that Sweden requires 120 days after a rabies vaccination for rabies control and not 30 as many other countries in Europe. And of course I trusted them and Abby got caught in the customs check and had to sit in quarantine for seven days. Her poor new family were waiting outside and totally devastated! They waited so long and she had gone through so much, yet they still couldn't have her!Ulla, a friend and a great AWL sponsor was the handler and had contact with the family and all those involved. She never gave up, even from her work she was calling and fixing things. That's fantastic!
Finally, the family got Abby, and her leg was broken (earlier in Italy) and they spoke to the Swedish specialty team, the surgery that she needed would cost 4500 euro. (yes they got a second opinion)
No vacation, no new clothing's, no nothing....they gave this little girl a new leg, a dog they had known for just one week physically. But they knew her emotionally and spiritually via distance for 8 months. Thanks to them, Abby can now run on four legs as well as having a forever family!Among the AWL board, there was no doubt that that such devotion demanded the AWL prize go to the family Maria Svegare Berglund, what a "That's Amore Family"
WE LOVE YOU AND YOUR BIG HEART. Congratulations!
Friday, October 15, 2010
FRECKLES MADE IT!
Freckles is a sensitive, shy, and misunderstood beautiful black and white girl. She was being fed outside a Lindsey's gate and loved up on. She saw her sister get killed by a car. Lindsey tried to find someone that could adopt her, but like in many homes around here, there are already many dogs. Freckles was in two other foster homes and then she came to our home for nearly 6 months.Animals Without Limits - Sweden searched for a family and found a wonderful lady name Lena. And to my pleasant surprise, I knew her! Many years ago made she wrote an article about me (a great one :-) so I knew she was one of the better animal friends out there.
Last weekend, I flew in to Denmark were Lena was waiting and it was so beautiful to see how Freckles turned to Lena as her new owner, after just a quick couple of hours.
Freckles now lives on a beautiful farm, with horses, cows and a huge place to run. She also is going with Lena to her work. What a Paradizzo, the lost soul found her destination. That's Amore.Wednesday, October 13, 2010
BONITA --- SHE MADE IT!
What a roller coaster ride for Bonita, we and her owner Mia in Sweden. But we finally made it!
Finally, after over one year struggling with this lady, we got all the "green" papers for the passport. Bonita, remember her close-to-death in a shelter, and we got her out. She spent so much time at different animal clinics and her foster parents David and Linda Bunn took her into their home for a very long time. They really made sure her health and spirit would be better.
Finally all her papers were ready for a passport. A whole year it took! Mia in Gothenburg, Sweden never gave up hope and that perseverance showed us what a great person she is. This past weekend, I flew in Bonita and another dog, "Freckles", and Mia drove down from Gothenburg (a four hour drive) to get her girl. When I walked out of the car carrying Bonita, Mia burst out in tears, sobbing and shaking, and we all hugged each other for joy.
Bonita got to meet her new man, Quinton, a sweet and gentle Pitt bull, and off they went to Bonita's new Paradizzo in Sweden's "second city" of Gothenburg.
Thank you Dr. Damiani for all your help and support with Bonita and others. David and Lynn, your support has been exceptional! You helped save a life!. And thanks to my family for making her last month in our home relaxing and comfortable (I sure miss her loud snoring!) and new momma Mia for never giving up on her girl. Lastly, for all the donations that helped Bonita get her health back, and finally into the loving arms of a forever home. We love and thank you all.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
WEEKLY COLUMN IN MAGAZINE
My weekly column in the Magazine Nara. Its about the Hospice client Leo, how you can be a grumpy old man and after one week in Hospice like a lamb.Hope you enjoy the reading. It about Amore.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND COMPANY
This company is donating fantastic products to our hospice clients, from their well recommended selectionsMister Craig Kleber from Los Angles, USA made a fantastic donation that made my mouth open for several days. Bless your Animal heart.
Vania, thank you so much for the great 20 food bowls. They sure are coming handy.
And the Navy NEX SS, thank you for all the cans of wet food and bags of dry food. We so appreciate it and more does the dogs.
Greta and her husband donated a sofa and book case, 2 gates to the Hospice. The dogs and the volunteers loves it....I see more dogs on the couch!
Hello, any more donations?
Oh yes! Genni with her lovely family donated recleiner kitchen table with chairs, painting, lamps. food bowls stands (brilliant to all our oldies who cannot bend down to eat because back pain) gates.
That's so Amore!
(more thank you are coming)
Saturday, October 2, 2010
WONDERFUL HECTIC TIME AT THE AWL HOSPICE
Freya from Holland is a new great volunteer at our Hospice. She washed all the Great Danes, later on with help from another fantastic volunteer Sarah (GB) Friday afternoon while we are cleaning we share a bottle of vine. Funny how easier it is to clean!
My Dicky, rescued from the streets put in a shelter on a wet cold concrete with a lot of disease. I drove quickly and pick him up. He is the sweetest thing, always happy. Even when he gets shots at the clinic, is his tail going like a drumstick.
Our two (out of three) mini German Shepards keeps us busy cleaning while they keep themselves busy playing and fighting.
Four Great Dane puppies now got loving homes. We are so happy for them. Today a beautiful family came and fell in love with a female they named Dolce.
One of our oldies Tiger 15y old are now feeling at home at the hospice and sleeps comfortable on the sofa.
Michelle adopted a female Mini German Shepard that are living in a house now together with a cat. We wish you all luck.
Leo 15y that never went inside houses. Well this morning he did. My heart is full of joy. My beloved Leo.
Maybe he didn't like me that much, but I gave him a bath since his fur is so full of parasites. Amazing, before no one could touch him and here, I gave him bath and he stood still.
We also once in a while get wonderful energetic children to volunteer. We learn a lot from them, and hopefully they can be our hope for the future about kindness to animals.
Angel 17y enjoying his chewing bone outside in the sun. That's what AWL Hospice is about. Relaxing pain free enjoyment.
Male and female Mini German Shepards adopted by a wonderful warm generous family from Holland. They named them "Bonnie and Clyde"Our days are full off Amore, and we hope or clients enjoys their five star Hospice Thats' Amore.
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