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

APPRECIATION DAY TOGETHER WITH GREAT VOLUNTEERS

It has been some busy days down in Italy this past weeks.

Animal Friends/volunteers Tracey, Megan and her daughter Sidney flew in from the States to Florence Italy.  It was wonderful to bring them back to Rossella's Shelter again.  The last time they were there, was back in 2009.

Rossella has made big progress with her shelter since they visited last time.  It felt great showing them.  Unfortunately, the dogs' stories are much the same.  Abandoned dogs, abused dogs, and street dogs.  But to see how Rossella has been fighting for them the past 30 years is amazing, and her son and daughter are working a lot with her, too.

Picture, volunteer Tracey Kleber comforting one of the shelter dogs.

Together with Olivia and Max, we went to pick up our visitors  (Tracey, Megan, Sidney) at Florence airport.  Strong winds and heavy rain made it hard for us to drive down from southern Germany, so we stopped at a hotel next to the Milano airport.
                                                                                            Picture;Megan, Tracey, Mia, Sidney, Olivia w dogs. 
Me and my kids love these kinds of adventures, checking out new hotels.  Rescuing doesn't have to be sad all the time.  Its important to involve children, too, so they can see the other side of humanity, but its always important to keep a good balance.

The next day we drove down to Florence airport and waited  for a two hours when we got the news:  their plane (and many others) had been diverted to another airport due to the strong winds.

 --I have to recommend the small restaurant at the Florence airport, simply incredible food.  Unfortunately, they close at 16.00.  I felt sorry for all the people who wanted to eat while waiting at the airport.  That should not happen at an airport, methinks.

The children and I drove down to Hotel Agora in Varcaturo (outside Naples), a family hotel we have stayed at since 2007.  We love to stay there, so much love and kindness.  It is wonderful to come back every time.  And best of all, they support AWL in many ways.

Not long after we arrived came Tracey, Megan and Sidney.  It was great to see them and especially Sidney that we had never met before.  We knew that Olivia and Sidney would get along very well. Megan is a great mother and it shows right through to Sidney.


Picture left, Hotel owner Jennifer her beautiful children together with Mia's beautiful children.
Picture to the right, volunteer dinner at Hotel Agora.



The next day we left the hotel early, to go and join the Appreciation Day on board U.S. Navy Support Site Gricignano  (the "support site").                                                      
                                                                                                                 Picture, Mia, Nikita and Pepsi                                                                                       
 
The girls and I went to Rossella's Shelter to pick up two siblings, Nikita and Pepsi, 7 months old as well as puppy Lissy, just 3 months old.  We could have them at the Pet Adoption site.  Megan had brought fantastic AWL t-shirts and I became excited and surprised with happy tears when I turned the t-shirt over and read on the back: "That's Amore!" My signature line!!!

Thank you Megan Seibert, I feel so honoured!

Picture below, meeting new great people
T shirts behind donation from volunteer Megan Seibert 

Chris had contacted me earlier about volunteering for AWL.  I wrote back saying we would be at the Appreciation Day, why not come and say hello?  And he did, with donuts (that Max my 8-year old son called "cake-bagels") and sodas.  What a great gesture.  He was (is) a natural, helping out, talking to people, handling the dogs.  Thank you so much, Chris.

Many great people came and visited and new volunteers signed up for upcoming events.

Picture left, Volunteer Max and Nikita



Pepsi and Nikita were fabulous.  I am always amazed that they have been locked in a cage for some months and suddenly mingling around people and being fantastic.  No barking, just laying quiet on the grass and loving the belly rubbing.  But my heart broke when we had to return them to their cage in the shelter.  No one had asked to adopt them!

However, little puppy Lissy had tremendous luck.  Many asked to adopt her.  A family with two young brothers loved her so much and decided to adopt her.  After some hours talking and thinking and explaining, we delivered Lissy to a very happy family.  It felt good knowing this little one would grow up with love and affection, not in a cold shelter cage.

From my heart, thank you to everyone for helping out.  And to you all that came and donated and signed the list, thank you for showing interest in our rescue organisation.

That's Amore!

We cannot do it without you! Your donations help save lives.  You can click on our donation button here to the right side.  Your donation helps another little soul, with castration, vaccination, medical bills and sometimes if needed, surgery.  WE all are there for them!

Food donations!

Thanks to your donations we could buy dog food to the shelter

Thank you Purina for donating some food for the shelter 

Volunteer Megan Seibert socialising the shelter dogs. 

Everyone, thank you for coming and visiting us at the tent, for your love and donations. Thank you, Thank you and last but with a big roll in this charity, Margaret Bollinger for your invitation.

That's Amore!

Summer Greetings from

some of our Furry Friends that has been rescued either from street or cages.

That's Amore!

They are now living in warm loving homes  in Sweden and America.

Thank you all for your donations. It's because your help we can rescue lives.

YOU are important!

Unlucky Lucky Bacio

The lady Rossella in the shelter grabs my arm in a tight grip! I look at her. Rossellas eyes are filled with tears. She opens a door and there, there a tinny puppy looks at me. Rossella had seen a woman kicking the poor little thing. Blood came out from his ears. 

CEO AWL Mia Mattson snuggled with Bacio (kiss in Italian)

Our beautiful volunteer Megan Seibert held him and comforting him. She feel in love-

He is now being monitored by veterinarian and when he is a little bigger he will move to his family that are waiting for him with big hearts ❤️

That's Amore!

Adopted

Daryl is doing great and can now go to his family that are waiting for him in Sweden!

Mio below is going to  Germany were his family is waiting 

That's Amore!

Wonderful Support

And always a wonderful person like Craig Kleber, loyal AWL friend.

Thank you for your generous donation of 2000 dollar! 

We are so grateful for your support !

Awl team & Stray Dogs

That's Amore!

Supportive Volunteer Sweden

Ulla Linders from Sweden is one of AWLs best volunteers to create post cards, stickers, bags and so many other things too. Thank you Ulla for the package and included with collars and leashes.