Our Golden Years Together with Magnificent Seniors

Seniors Rocks!

I have to admit, my heart is soft for Senior dogs. Having had my foundation now since 1999 and working with rescuing animals (most dogs) I have met hundreds of wonderful Seniors. Yes, it is not for a very long time you get to keep them(years), however, the time seems in a way longer when you are together with them (time). If that makes any sense.

I have had to say good bye to many Seniors, but I have always been by their side. Always!

In my home I have right now eight (8) Seniors that I adore. I don't like traveling as much as I did earlier, even if I love traveling ;-) I cut down 50% with my travels. 

Instead I love laying reading and hearing their deep snoring next to me or on the floor on their own bed(s). How they wake up and takes the day with grande relaxing tempo, like the southern Italian dogs they are (ok one American). And....their love is priceless, their deepness in their eyes when they look at you. They make you feel like a Hero!

This January we had to say good bye to one of our rescue dogs Jazz. For one year she had problems holding her bladder. I rolled away the carpets and mopping buckets on every floor. 

My husband growled a little. 

I looked at him with a wrinkle between my eyes and said, "When you get old(er) and start to wet yourself, am I going to get ride of you too?"

I have a hard time understanding people who suddenly abandon their old friend just because he is old and smelly. It shows me their (people) evaluation about becoming old.

My heart become warm when I read about more and more Senior Sanctuaries are opening, and .....that so many more people dare to adopt a Senior.

That's Amore!

Stella Nutella Loves Unconditionally

Why hurt someone whose only intention was only to love you.

Stella Nutella was a "happy" street dog.  She loved the people that fed her everyday, and gave her a pet or a belly rub now and then. Until that day when people started to build on the land she lived on. 

Many of her dog friends, disappeared, some got poisoned. Stella didn't want to leave, she loved people so much. The workers started to throw rocks at her. 

Thats when I saw her......

A Longing After a Fragrant Freedom

 <3 span=""> You can read CEO Mia Mattsson Mercer's column; Tidningen Nara CLICK HERE


 A Longing After a Fragrant Freedom <3 span="">

Otello and I meet 2008 and again 2016. He was still in a cage 14 years old.

"Some of us know what family life is, but we have lost our freedom longing after other things. We long for all the scents, the freedom, the wind, the moon, to life itself. Without demands. With the fragrances that transform euphoric pleasure in us. To experience a deep peace in our souls, a peace of mind and harmony of different colors. To live in each moment. The same longing that many of you humans have. Otello "

That's Amore!

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Trasiga själar hjälper varandra -- Broken Souls has Strong Healing Ability

Broken Souls has Strong Healing Ability to other Broken Souls

One family wanted to adopt a dog from my organization. The family was immediately very open about what their family situation looked like.

I was extremely grateful for their openness, it meant that I could quickly find a dog that matched their energies. A few months earlier, their daughter had tried to commit suicide. Now the family felt that a dog could help their daughter to "heal", of course, along with their doctors and therapists. But, they reasoned, to have a four-legged friend who slept with her, agreed on walks, someone to confide in, and was there full of love, would be beneficial for her. Also, the demand for routines upon their daughter if she was responsible for a dog would additionally help to ground her and help her to heal.

Of course the whole family wanted a new family member, the time was right for all. There were many cute big dogs with a high-energy factor, but I had an overweight little brown female dog who had spent two years in a cage down in south Italy.

A dog with high energy to a home that are working so hard to heal, would not be good --- its high energies could activate and add more stress for the the family and situation. The family needed a cool dog who knew what she wanted, loved life (and food) and to only wanted belong to a family.

When Iris arrived to the family, she chose right away the daughter's bedroom to become her bedroom as well.  Is it that a "broken" soul recognizes another's "broken" soul?

The dog Iris also had a claim to the daughter, “I'm there for you, but you also need to stay alive and be there for me."

When the daughter woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, Iris sat up in her basket and waited calmly until she came back.

Every day I received updates from the family about how much they all loved Iris.

"Mia, we never dreamed that our daughter would feel as good as she does after only four months after our beloved dog's arrival. "Iris therapy" really worked 100%. Best dog Ever!”

This business of "Rescue Dogs" really has a double meaning and paradox: is it we who save them, or is it they who will save us? Who really saves whom?

They ended their email: “We just got the dog we wanted, quiet, contact seeking, loving and ‘personal and wacky’ in a wonderful way. Greetings, family Iris "

When we see each other's inside strength and beauty, discounting the outside of temporary weakness, then we can help and be helped. This is what is called unconditional perfection in the circle of life. About everyone's right to live, love and seek happiness!

That's Amore!

I had the families permission to write their story.

Trasiga själar hjälper varandra till läkning

En familj ville gärna adoptera en hund av mig. Familjen var med en gång väldigt öppna med hur deras familjeförhållande såg ut. Jag var oerhört tacksam över deras öppenhet, det gör att jag snabbare kunde finna en hund som matchade deras energier. 

Ett par månader tidigare hade deras dotter försökt begå självmord. Nu kände familjen att en hund skulle kunna hjälpa deras dotter till att ”läkas”, naturligtvis tillsammans med andra läkare och samtalsterapeuter.

Att ha en vän som sov tillsammans med henne, gick med på skogspromenader, någon att kunna anförtro sig till och som fanns där full av kärlek. Dessutom ställdes det krav på dottern, att hon också skulle finnas där med rutiner som infaller när man skaffar en hund.

Naturligtvis var hela familjen med på att ha en ny familjemedlem, tiden var mogen för alla. Där fanns många gulliga stora hundar med hög energifaktor, men jag hade en överviktig liten brun hundflicka som suttit två år i en bur nere i Italien.

En hund med hög energi till ett hem som arbetar med att läkas, ska inte ha höga energier som kan aktivera och tillföra mera stress. Familjen behövde en cool tik som visste vad hon ville, älskade livet (och mat) och att få tillhöra en familj.

När Iris anlände till familjen valde hon med en gång dotterns sovrum till sitt sovrum. Är det så att en ”trasig” själ känner igen en annans ”trasig” själ?

Men hunden Iris hade också ett krav till dottern: Jag finns där för dig, men du måste också stanna kvar i livet och finnas där för mig.

När dottern vaknade mitt i natten för att gå upp till badrummet satte sig Iris upp i sin korg och väntade lugnt tills hon kom tillbaka.  Varje dag fick jag uppdateringar med hur mycket de alla älskade Iris.

”Mia, vi kunde aldrig drömma om att vår dotter skulle må så bra som hon nu gör redan efter fyra månader efter vår älskade hunds ankomst. ”Iris-terapin” funkade verkligen till 100 %. Bästa hunden!
Det här med ”Rescuedogs”, får verkligen en dubbel innebörd: Är det vi som räddar dem, eller är det de som räddar oss? Vem räddar vem egentligen?Vi fick precis den hunden vi ville ha, lugn, kontaktsökande, kärleksfull samt ´personlig och knäpp´ på ett underbart sätt. Hälsningar Familjen Iris”

När vi ser varandras innersta styrka utanpå den temporära svagheten, kan vi hjälpa dem och de hjälper oss. Detta är vad som kallas villkorslös fullkomlighet, i livets cirkel. För allas rätt att leva!

That’s Amore!
Mia Mattsson-Mercer

Mia har fått godkännande av familjen att publicera deras historia. 

Love

You are beautiful as you are!

CHAINED ANIMALS IN THE HUMAN WORLD

Some of you have asked if I cannot translate my columns that I write for Magazine Nara. Here is my latest. Happy Reading!

Chained Animals in the Human World

He stood frozen with a thick chain around his neck. The beautiful Rottweiler’s neck weighed down and I could feel his pain along his entire back. Our eyes met!
I could not understand why the owner kept him chained and locked up in a cage! Despite the dull eyes he did radiate a strong wisdom. I feel a strong despair about chained animals, for all animals that are being held in captivity. 

Suddenly I heard an inner voice from him:
"You people show more fears than any other animal on this planet. You want to own and claim the lives of those who radiate love and wisdom. Your fears go on for generations and wont end until every single person says stop.
We animals have an important role in your life. Together!
What comes out from you affects the chain of life. It affects your neighbor, zoos, families, friends, strangers and most importantly, children."

My daughter Olivia, was maybe three or four years old, when she went a couple of hours a week to an Italian kindergarten. One day the Kindergarten would go to the circus. My heart clenched. I did not want Olivia to go there, the circus used live animals. I expressed my despair to a good friend.

"Mia let her go there and get her own impression. If she does not get to go, it will be even more difficult for her to understand all the children's joy the next day in school. She will feel excluded. In addition, she will never learn to argue either, " said my wise friend.
It was with a fake smile, I waved goodbye to the happy children at the school bus. A few hours later I picked Olivia up at the schoolyard. She was walking towards me with her head bowed. Her little arms hugged me, "Mom, it was so horrible to see these animals, they do not feel good!"
My eyes filled with tears, I whispered quietly, thank you universe, and to my friend and to my wise little daughter Olivia.

You're probably wondering what happened to the Rottweiler? I tried to talk to the owner of the Rottweiler and the police, but they all looked at me with empty, bland eyes. One night, "someone" cut the padlock and the neck chain with a bolt cutter. Today King lives at an unknown location with protected identity.

That’s Amore!

You can also read it on TIDNINGEN NARA in Swedish

What's your Story

Hello Handsome, what is your story?Rescue dog from the streets sick and alone. AWL support the treatments.

I love this guy around 7-8 years old!

That's Amore!

Handsome English Setter Spot

This handsome boy is called Spot. He was found abandon on the streets, skin and bones and with a broken heart. We were asked if we could help finding him a home.

I was amazed! We found a home in only one hour. Friends of mine, that has lived down in Naples and adopted two english setter rescuers.  Gina, one of the girls died and they have been waiting for a while after the 'right' one for their Princess. I sent them the pictures of Spot and they answered back right away...'he is welcome to our home in Germany'

On our mission down we wanted to meet him and also thank his foster dad Fabrizio. Without foster moms/dads we cannot get our documents ready. We love their help, its amazing since I know how difficult it is emotional to later hand them over. You get so attached.

It was a lovely meeting. What a boy, what a soul....amazing dog. Im in love.

That's Amore!

The Best Christmas News Ever

 Just for a couple of days I posted Iris searching after a home. Christmas Eve, I had promised myself not to be on FB or checking my emails. Disappointed and frustrated I had to admit, it was darn hard not to check. I tried to comfort myself that I only had to check three times during the whole day.

Wow, what is happening to us!

However, I am so glad I did. The best Christmas news was laying there waiting for my approval.

A family in Stockholm, Sweden wanted to adopt Iris, would I say yes to them?

Amazing news....Iris is out from the horrible shelter and now in a foster home, the mom that rescued her ones.

That's Amore Iris!

Good Bye My Friend RIP

RIP JOEY my Friend,

Last Saturday I noticed that we were running out of time. You were still wagging your tail, but something had changed around you. Sunday came and you were laying close to me, closer than ever before. I knew the time was here.
That Monday morning phone call to the veterinarian was the hardest to make.

Joey was the happiest stray dog in Campania, Italy. With his love and positive attitued he was loved by many Italians, Brits and Americans. He touched so many hearts.

I got a message from Carol Mander Yeomans asking if we could find Joey a home. Stray, getting older (not in his mind at all) winter was coming....I said yes we would find him a home.
Jolene Callahan took him into her home during the health check and passport (helped us great during that time it took, Thank you)

Joey came to me and he was wonderful, deaf, positive little guy. He had a tough stabile charisma that told the other dogs to accept him. And they did, right until the end heart emoticon

No one answered on Joeys adoption add. Maybe because he was black...maybe because there are millions of dogs searching for homes out there!

He was loved, so much loved....and I didn't get to have you for a long time, but you are forever in my heart. 

Joey, you got your wish granted, to fall a sleep outside in "your" freedom with me by your side. 

Thank you my veterinarian Martina (Germany) for helping me with Joeys wish heart emoticon

Freedom Joey. I miss you so much. heart emoticon

That's Amore
Mia Olivia Max

ITALIAN TRIP IN JUNE

When in Italy last month I just had to met the famous well known lovebug pug, Fonzie. 

For 14 years was he neglected from his owners, and left to our veterinarian to have his life ended. They claimed he didn't want to eat and walk. Our vet suspected something wasn't right at all. He put a bowl of food under his tired head, and Fonzie started to eat. The claws were so long that yes, he couldn't walk!!! He cut them and on wiggly legs he started to walk.

Our vet called us and we rushed to pick him up. 

Fonzie is the sweetest little man on this earth. And he looks wonderful now, skin glowing.

❤

gosh how we love him! Foster mom Flavia (Instagram)  @me_i Grazie per tutti🇮🇹

YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART

RIP, my wonderful handsome Sven.

This time I couldn't save you. You had already decided to leave me.  I would have been a selfish fool if I would have stopped you.

I guess when Universe decided to give you such a huge heart, he felt the need to also give you this disability. You had such a charisma, glowing around you. 

Even when you spoke and we all laughed, and you got all exited. 

Always sleeping in my arms.

You were so full of life and love, and spread so many smiles to our hearts. I never met someone like you.

You got air under your wings to fly away, alone I stand here and cannot fly with you. 

You left Earth to early..... and me

Mia

#epilepsy #seizures