TATTOO CONTEST

Our yearly Animal Tattoo Contest is being made. The winner 2012 for best, creative, touching animals tattoo is Chiara V Buccolini (adopted The German Shepard, Frank)

Congratulation Chiara, your prize will be sent to you. That's Amore.

FRANK THE SUPERHERO TOGETHER WITH MOM

Once in a while I remember why I do all this work, and for free.

Why do I love the work of finding these miserable lives nearly dead? Behind their eyes I see their sparkle of life still glowing. Is it because they never give up like we humans? Is it because they never complain like humans? Nor destroy?

I love being in the surgery room together with Dr Damiani, to hear him and Dr Fransesco discuss, take out their books and show me the explanation. They draw on papers, their eyes are sparkling, they can also see the life in the animals eyes, even if the dog's body tells another story.

Tonight I got a picture that reassured me why I am doing this....WE NEVER GAVE UP!

Read this story and then go back and look at the picture...This is LIFE!

Frank had to go through a 6 hour surgery since he was infected throught his whole body, Dr Damiani and Dr Fransesco did fantastic work. Then it was many drives from hospice to the clinic, some small complications but we did it!!! His beautiful mom sent me this picture with a note tonight:

" Chiara Buccolini He is amazing! Every day at work with me (I'm working in a shop of saddles) He sleeps in my room ... a beautiful love story. I take the photo and he is a friend of mine. Thank you very much. All this is thanks to you. now that I saw the old photos I weep while he sleeps. :-)"

NEW HOMES-ADOPTIONS`HAPPY`HAPPY

AWL is not an adoption organization, but we take care of the dogs, make them healthy, vaccinate, microchip and if they need any treatment or surgery, we support that.

We get a lot of help from our wonderful volunteer Martina, who does a fantastic research work to find the right family for the dog. Sometimes it can take time since she is very (good) picky.
But she is darn good, and she has volunteers around the country who visits the "possible family"

Our Frank was found a home by Chiara and Fransesco and Melanie. He staid with us for a while (read earlier blog).

Miss Mapel was abandoned in Lago Patria. She staid with AWL for some time, and now she is with a wonderful family. Thank you Martina!

Sweet lovely Sofia was rescued by an American family and taken cared for a couple of weeks. A family up north love her and as you can see, she is a relaxed girl.

Thanks Martina.

Moosey staid in my house for some time but lives now up North with a couple that just adores her. She is a happy spoiled girl.

Thanks Martina.

Our Hope is now Benedetta's Hope in Milano.

Remember Hope that was found among the trash with high fever and a lot of sickness? (read earlier blog) AWL had her at the hospice and treated her, she gained weight beautiful, and more fur grew out. Benedetta is still treating her. Thank you sweet B for your donation. That's Amore.

Thank you Martina.

Pio drove 1100km with Hope, Ms Mapel and Sofia, thank you so much.

Abandoned German Shepard Rosie (earlier blog) one (9) puppies got to go to her new home today. Thank you Martina for finding the home, and Nicole for transporting him today.

Thank you AWL supporters for your donations, so we can keep the abandoned or stray dogs healthier and happier. That's Amore!

THE END AND A NEW CHAPTER OF FRANKS LIFE

Last night, it was time for me to say good-bye to Frank, our Trooper, Gladiator, Hero and Teacher. To so many of us he has taught the meaning of life, the purpose of life and to not end something that may look bad on the outside but is not finished on the inside. He even fooled me.

When I got an e mail asking if Frank could stay in the hospice because the rescue volunteers had nowhere to put him, I replied that Frank could stay. They said just 2 weeks and if nobody adopted him, he would be put in a shelter.

When Frank came, my heart bled. I knew this would not be easy, he was in such bad shape. I asked if I could bring him to my veterinarian Dr Damiani and his team. Dr Damiani was also in pain for this dog and said he would do his best. And so he did.

They did a 4 hour surgery and his whole body was so infected, his front leg was so infected they had to amputate it. He was back to the hospice and I had to go in every second day to have his bandage changed. He was in so much pain, but he stuck with life, and slowly got better.

One day he could nearly not stand on his (3) legs his back legs gave out under him. I noticed it was his back spine. I understood he hadn't pee'd or pooped in many hours, I could feel the pressure in his abdomen.
Martina, Chiara M. and I carried him down in a towel into my SUV and I drove him to Dr Damiani's clinic.

Tammy and Deb were there with some other dogs and helped me with the stretcher since I knew we were in a hurry to empty the bladder. During my time in Sarajevo, I had seen animals die when their bladder couldn't empty --- something I don't ever want to see again. And Frank was our client, we fight for our clients and have no time for coffee, we do that afterward when the animal is healed or in good secure hands.

Frank was in a lot of pain, and Tammy suggested an x-ray to see if the spine was hurt, the vet assistant was asked to put a catheter in and empty him.

Afterwards, the x-ray showed he was constipated and that made it difficult for him to squeeze it out. I was told it could be that he didn't move, and I knew it also had to do with changing food. One day hospice food, another day clinic food. After all, how many of we humans that goes under a big surgery has to take these red pills so we can go to the bathroom easier. Same goes for animals!

After that Friday and he was happy to come back to the hospice, he walked up the stairs, he went out into the yard. His spirit was high again.

So yesterday evening me and Chiara B. had arranged that she should come and bring Frank home, to his forever home with her. When she heard about Frank's she said, "If he survives, I will adopt him"

It was so bittersweet. I kissed Frank and thanked him for teaching us:
strength, love through pain, joy of life, and to never give up. And the most important thing "no bitterness." My heart fills with admiration to Frank (and all the other clients.) I know why many people don't want to see or get to know them: their power and strength is bigger than ours and it only shows how much we still have to learn.

Late last night, I got an email from Chiara B:

Mia,
"Being home with Frank is wonderful.! I believe that he already understands that this is his home. He is very intelligent. Look at all the movements he made. He comes down to the garden twice to pee, ate, drink and went to the bed I had prepared. Every now and then he comes up to me and my husband to be petted. It 's great ....... we are very happy to have him with us. He must have a life like a king. You and Chiara have cried because he is gone .... I cry because he is now with me and that makes me happy ... I have no words, just a big thank you and all the special people like you who have made all this possible. Frank is also the king of our home, come visit us whenever you want, we will show you the wonderful soul that has come of your client from casa dell'amore.

THAT's AMORE.

This is what Frank left "a cirkel of (shit) love" We love you Frank!

Thank you to all the wonderful people who have seen me fighting for his life and understood my pressure, my frustration and pain. I knew the whole time what I was doing, but sometimes I was frustrated as a mother would be when her child is suffering and in pain. But your support has been fantastic.

My BIG thank you to Chiara M. who contacted me and asked; the ones that rescued him Fransesco and Melanie; Dr. Damiani and his great team (Dr Longo and Roberta); and for other friends' worries and concerns: Tatiana and husband Michael. Nicolle who helped me at the clinic, and also husband Jason.

And my heart goes out to Chiara B. for her love and devotion for Frank, even in the dark her eyes were sparkling.

Thank you all for your true, honest and pure love for an animal in need and pain. That's Amore.

FRANK THE BRAVE TROOPER

"I fooled you all!"
Our brave fantastic Frank that you have been able to follow on this blog (if you are new please stop and go back to earlier blogs about him) made us so happy today.

Today have been a day of joy. Frank have been laying out in the sun, pee and poo in the grass. He walked down from second floor, and he walked out to my SUV, and I could myself load him. We were exhausted laying next to each other back in the SUV after that exercise.

Dr Damiani examined Frank who still got an infection, but he is much better.

AWL want to thank you all and also wish Frank good luck in life a new chapter starts, a forever home with Chiara B tomorrow.

Thank you Dr Damiani and Dr Longo, Chiara M and Chiara B, Fransesco, Melanie, Patty and Pio. I am happy that you found trust in Hospice Casa dell'Amore and Animals Without Limits

That's Amore!

FRANK WE ARE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY

Frank did not do very well yesterday so I drove him in to see Dr Longo at Dr Damiani clinic. He was in pain and discomfort and still is his body having some infection from the past.
He got sedated and his scar could be washed really well.
Nicolle and her husband Jason were kind to stop by and help. Since I had two other clients waiting in my car.

And also needed a help wrapping Frank up. I was glad when Dr Longo agreed with me that Frank should stay over night.

It is a painful road, but many of us are not used to see behind the veterinarian walls. But this is the reality. Thank you for all your support, and still we need more donations for Frank so we can give him the very best treatment that he deserves. That's Amore!

A BUSY DAY WITH AWL CLIENTS

Momma Rosie went in for a health check and being de-wormed too. She was a super trooper in the car Nicolle told me.

Momma Rosie is young 2-3 years old. Lovely and sleeps with the cats in front of the fire place. She is up for adoption, to a forever loving home who never will give her up. She have had a home before and got kicked out on the street.

My lovely 15 year old Kiki Joy got her bandage changed and stitches removed. What a lady.

Frank was doing great after the surgery, they amputated his leg and he could return to his healing retreat at the Hospice Casa dell'Amore. Thank you Dr Longo!

He is such a wonderful guy. And as soon he is healed he is going to a home, a lovely girl Chiara have adopted him, she is a former vet.ass. Couldn't be better. Stay strong Frank.

A food is the best medicine. That's Amore!



AWL have for a long time wanted a veterinarian to come and do house visit at the Hospice. Many times it is difficult to move oldies all at the same time, and young ones for vaccination and removing stitches. Martina's veterinarian Dr Vittorio came and was wonderful to all the animals with his calm and gentle way. AWL is so thankful for him taking the time and giving it to all the Casa dell'Amore's clients. That's Amore

Thank you Martina for arranging this. And thank you Nicolle for fostering Momma dog Rosie.

UPDATE ON FRANK THE GERMAN SHEPARD

If you want excitement, to lose weight and build some good karma, join us for our AWL missions.

Earlier on our blog, you could read about Frank the German Shepard that was left to die on a busy street. But he was found by Italian volunteers Francesco and Merlina. Frank underwent surgeries and AWL was contacted by Chiarra, asking if Frank could stay two weeks at the hospice. That would give him time to heal and them to find a home.

But he looked like a mess with the wounds full of dripping, oozing fluid. Even if he ate well I felt that something was wrong even and so did Martina. I called Dr Damiani to ask when he would be at the clinic.
Could we bring in Frank for an examination?

Since Frank is stitched up everywhere and especially under his belly I would have difficulty carrying him into the SUV myself, I needed help.
Pio, Martina and Chiara stopped by at the hospice this early morning and helped me load him in the SUV with help of a big bath sheet.
Nicolle helped me with Frank at the clinic.


Frank was in a lot of pain, he was swollen everywhere. Dr Damiani had misty eyes when he greeted Frank. Could he be saved?

LEFT TO DIE-BUT SAVED BY GUARDIAN ANGELS

This is Frank, a beautiful German Shepard probably between 7-8 years old.

Frank was found on a busy street (highway), in Neaples. He had been hit by a car, and left to die. Francesco and Melania, two volunteers from Naples, just saw Frank, stopped to see if he was alive... Frank was sick, very sick, but he was alive. They took Frank to a veterinarian were he had to go through several surgeries. The vet had to remove the spleen and stop internal bleeding.

15 days later a new surgery; fracture of his right paw, he has the joints completely pulped. The operation appears successful, but we do not know if this giant will be able to keep the leg,

His left front leg is fractured, so far no surgery on that one.

Chiarra and Francesco came with Frank to Casa dell'Amore (hospice & recovery center) and what a trooper. He will stay for two weeks and hopefully a home will be found.

He is such a big sweet loving guy who need a forever home that can have him and pet him all day long.

Tomorrow we are bringing him in to get checked at dr Damiani's clinic. Keep your paws.

A big warm hand to Francesco and Melania for stopping and checking if the dog was alive. I get scared of thinking how many that are still alive laying on the highway.

Chiara Ricci for helping Frank and taking care of him and thank you ALL for your support so Frank can recover at Casa dell'Amore AWL. Without your donations we cannot exist.

That's Amore.