OH DEAR MR POE

 Mr Poe is one of our Hospice Casa dell'Amore Clients, a male with a big charisma, character and charmer

 He has many expressions, like mini Diablo or "Who Me?"

One thing is for sure, we will not put up any mirrors at the hospice...he would never recover if he saw his true size...since Mr Poe think he is a true pure Rottweiler. He is our Amore!

FROM CRAIG KLEBER, VINNIE'S DAD

                                                      The Happiest Dog In The World

Vinnie, a dog who put a smile on everyone’s face, set sail last Sunday for an eternity with the angels. Although Vinnie’s departure leaves all of us left behind with a huge void, this little piece is about celebrating his life.

Vinnie like so many dogs had a very rough start in life, but he had the most cheerful, friendly disposition. As soon as he would wake up he would kiss all the other dogs in the house, as well as the people too. On walks he would greet people with a wagging tail and a smile. People who came to the house would like all the dogs, but it was “little Vincent” they would comment on as being so very special.

Vinnie’s love was naturally magical, however he must have been saying “thank you” everyday for being rescued from a terrible shelter after being run over by a car.  His gratitude and joy for living is why we have donated money to Animals Without Limits in Vinnie’s name. He would want this; he had such a generous soul.

Vinnie battled illness for the last six months, never complaining, even giving us a super last weekend of barking, begging, snuggling and playing before he journeyed on. The touching notes of sympathy and even a Gardenia to plant in his memory, showed us what that little dog meant to so many.

Oliver Reed, the famous British actor known for enjoying life, amidst a group of negative and self obsessed people once asked in exasperation “is there any happiness in the world?” The answer is yes, Vinnie.

From “Immortality” by Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933), for Vinnie

"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, 'There she goes!'

Gone where? Gone from my sight ... that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, 'There she goes!' there are other eyes watching her coming and their voices ready to take up the glad shouts 'Here she comes!'"

IN HONOR OF VINCENT

I never got the chance to meet Vincent in real life, but I got to know the story and the humans behind him.

A couple of years ago, on a rainy day outside in the area of Napoli, Italy, was I waiting for a woman that was coming all the way from Los Angeles, USA. She stood by the train station in her very nice designer clothes. . I felt a little uncomfortable shoving her into my big SUV together with two small children, tons of dog-hair and all the smells associated with animal rescue. My SUV had become one of the most important vehicles in Napoli, an Animal Rescue SUV.

Tracey had a very relaxed attitude and a huge heart. The days she spent with us involved our work in horrible shelters, and she jumped right in as one of the team...  Never did we so much as hear her sigh. The moment I knew that she was true to her heart and not merely empty words, was when she spoke about her family.  Even about her ex-husband who also had an enormous heart. He even had rescued a fish – now their “Fred” --- from being abandoned.

She spoke highly about their four legged kids that they had together. Her eyes sparkled when she talked about them, even if they nibbled on a shoe or two, or had an accident inside.  It was what would be expected of a family member. Vincent!  We smiled at the Italian name and here was “mom” in Napoli. We shared the passion for senior dogs and Vinnie was one older gentleman with a young mind. He even loved pasta!

Six months ago was he diagnosed with cancer.  The best humane veterinarian clinic in LA, who knew and loved him dearly and always thought he was a very happy fellow, made the diagnosis.  They loved him as much as Tracey and Craig did, him with the tail that tapped out his happiness in Morse Code--- “thump, thump, thump”--- when he walked in.

This morning, as we prepared to depart from Germany on another mission to Napoli,  we received a note from Vinnie’s parents that he was now on the other side:  “After a fantastic 36 hours of begging, running, barking, snuggling and all that he loved, all of a sudden he just plummeted. The kind thing to do was send him on his way. He was so at peace when he left. Thank you for your kind thoughts, they meant so much to me and him. God bless him.”

AWL and my family’s relationship and friendship with Tracey and Craig have lasted and the passion for Italy’s stray dogs has grown. Tracey and her ex-husband Craig have been enormously generous in sponsoring AWL, our missions and hospice (and shelter with food). And, now Vinnie’s Rescue AWL VAN will be driving around on Napoli’s streets and through some of the roughest neighborhoods, making differences and saving lives in his memory. He will never be forgotten. His van will carry on his spirit to less fortunate dogs.

36 hours ago the Vinnie Rescue VAN was parked outside my house. It was brought to my home so I can drive it down to Napoli tomorrow.

Vinnie will l forever shine a light leading us to the strays and less fortunate animals, those who have thus far not enjoyed a life of snuggles, playing and love --- only the constant struggle to survive. . As I drive, I cannot see him in my rear-view mirror, but I can hear “thump thump” and feel his content confident smile.

Let’s save lives! That’s Amore

Dear Animal Rescue Friends, At long last, we are in the final preparations to move the van we acquired for AWL from Germany down to Italy (thanks largely to the Kleber family and other generous donors).  There, it will be used for rescue missions and to transport our hospice clients to medical appointments, etc. We want and need this van to be able to help many wounded and sick animals since most of our volunteers cannot or do not want to drive dogs in their own private cars.  Several don't have a car of their own. We have had a difficult time with the search for economical insurance and where best to register the vehicle, given where it will be and who will operate it.  It is very expensive to register any vehicle in Italy, and our RESCUE VAN is no different. Our RESCUE VAN needs to be registered and of course have insurance. We have finally made an agreement with a person that will help us register the RESCUE VAN in the north of Italy, to avoid the ultra-expensive Napoli area insurance rates.  To get the Italian plates there is a one registration fee and that is between 1000 -1200 euro, and for insurance is approximately 1200 euro/year.  It seems purchasing an economical vehicle for our mission was just the first, and relatively cheapest, piece of the van puzzle. Please ear mark on your donation slip for our RESCUE VAN expenses. We hope you can help us. It means a lot to the volunteers and street dogs & cats to be able to drive them to the veterinarians. And even to their new homes.  Now that's driving Amore. Thank you from Animals Without Limits!

CASA DELL'AMORE IS A GOOD PLACE

Our long term Tigro 16 years old is our grumpy lady who walks around and growls at all the dogs, but she is a sweet grumper.

Stella Bella is herself again, our little handbag. (read earlier blog about her health) We are so happy for all your support.

Vasili is also getting so much better and happier, he is our lovely boy.

Ombra, with all the love bumps....he is so much love. Sassi, Funny, Edgar Poe, Ariel all sends their love. Happy Summer and Hope to see you all at the Party June 23.

OMBRA IS AT CASA DELL'AMORE

 Wonderful volunteers drove him up to Hospice Casa dell'Amore from Southern Italy. Ombra (Shadow) is a fantastic client, always happy, polite to all the other dogs, and he is like a shadow following the volunteers wherever they go.

 He loves his room that he got with his own bed. He is so much Amore this boy.

Found on the streets in South Italy Lecce, very sick he was brought to a shelter and AWL saw him on FB. We fell in love.

Thank you Nuova Lara Cavallino& Volunteers.

A BIG AMORE PROJECT

 Some time ago we wrote about a fantastic project that was put together with different volunteers. Each one wrote a story and it became a book Tra testa e Cuore..scelgo il Cuore. 

Chiara Ricci wrote about our Zamira, and it was a lovely touching story.

The project holders promised each writer that they would share the money to the organizations that they help in Italy. The volunteers that struggle every day to make a difference. That's Amore.

This is Chiara holding one of her rescue dogs.

AWL want to thank Pamela Mazza together with all'associazione X 4 zampe for the donation from the book. You are amazing.  Thank you!


The Book is dedicated in memory of a great volunteer who lost her life way to early, Stefania Ballista. You will always be remembered. That's Amore

CAN YOU HELP SOMEONE TODAY?

We AWL are now in a bigger need than ever.

 It breaks our heart that we have to turn down sick animals that do need our help.

We now ask for your help! Our veterinarian bills are going sky high. We get great results, the clients heal and can live a normal loving healthy home, instead of suffering out on the streets.

Please click on this link and make a big difference in someones life. That's Amore.

TODAY WE WANT TO STAY IN BED

STELLA BELLA HEARTPROBLEM

 Our client Stella Bella is not doing so well. She has been with us for a long time at the hospice. She started to cough and was brought by Angelina to Dr Fransesco. She got a xray today and it looks like she got lung edema. Water in her lungs and has to stay at the clinic.


She got a problem with her heart but her cough is not caused by that.
It's a respiratory infection, a sort of bronchitis.
Stella is now on antibiotic and anti-inflammatory for some weeks and then she should be better. Keep your paws for our loving Casa dell'Amore Mascot.

Angy thank you, also a big thank you to Dr Damiani and Dr Fransesco and The Dr Cardiologist

 Thank you all for your support and loving thoughts to Stella Bella.

BEFORE AND AFTER, SOME OF OUR HOSPICE CLIENTS

That's Amore!