If not Now, When?

In times when everything seem to fly fast in front of us, hours become months and years are left behind like leaves floating in the  gentle September wind.
People send messages to their tomorrow hoping to be able to make that project or dream of theirs then come true.
But they seem to forget that tomorrow is another way to say today.
Because when tommorrow comes, it will be our present.
"Right", you might say, "so what that does me leave with?".
Well if you take a moment to stop & think about it, you will see that after all, our time is really what we make of it, that it is truly counted, but how so?
We measure our days, not by the minutes that go by, but by the moments that we are able to convert in a life time memory to be treasured as something special.
For me special it would mean to be able to open my own animal Sanctuary somehwere in the USA where so many family's pets get every day killed, after being turned over, or better said dumped,  at the local shelters, whether it is in a big city like New York, or in a small town in the middle of the countryside.
I have been asking myself what it takes for me to make that happen.
First of all, plain honest, money!
I find this quite interesting since money is a topic I hate.
I have always donated to rescues for their Vet bills and animals in need.
But now I find myself in the position to wonder how I can save enough to make my dream come true.
I envision a large land where I can build a Sanctuary that will be divided in sections, and each one will have a special name. Kids will be able to visit with their schools while they take a field trip to come and see their animal friends.
Underpriviledges people will be given the opportunity to spend quality time with us, knowing that even if the world " out there" is not always ready to embrace diversity, in our place they can find comfort, support and most of all, a peaceful place where to come and meet people who accept others with a deep sense of appreciation and understanding.
There will be a place where to gather together ad eat. Because food brings people to be more united.
I got this from my Italian family and our traditions.
Animals' happiness and safety will be our first priority, as also their emotional and physical well being. From the day they will enter this Home of Love, they will know from the first breath they take that from then on only Care, Hope and a New Beginning in Life will be given to them.
Life is precious, we give Life and we know that we'll find Love.
I am starting saving money for my little, but great in my heart, project.
It will take furever, but it is never too late to get started.
In the meanwhile I keep dreaming, because the best dreams happen with our eyes well opened.
I dream of the day I'll enter NYC ACC, Orlando City Shelter, Miami Dade as also California shleters like Lancaster, Baldwin Park, San Bernardino city, Devore, Carson or Mesa in Arizona...and God knows wherelse, I dream of me opening those kennels and taking those creatures to freedom.
That feedom that people take for granted and do not value enough.
My grandfather often shared with me his real life stories of how he saw the Nazi taking away members of our family and other people from his village, including the priest, to bring them to die at the concentration camps in gas chambers. The same thing that is done today in some USA shelters, where dogs and cats are put to die in gas chanbers in horrid pain.
I remember very clearly in my mind all of his stories.
As I remember hearing stories of how people would grab hope, yes hope, in a ray of light, while being locked in long trains taking them to the camps. A ray of light that would come in form of a crack on the side of the train covered by wooden boards.
So hope exists in some forms even at times of great despair.
It's part of our nature to never give up.
As it is part of our nature to believe that where there is a will we can always find a way to make good things happen, t

hat if we share good ethics and we educate on more compassion we can lead to a better future for us all.

Don't believe just in chances. Believe in making Good things happen.

Pets are family.
We hear this all the time.
But an old Italian quote says that " Between saying it and doing it there is the sea in the middle".
What does that mean? That way too many times we preach good but we do not correspond what we say. Thanks Dog that does not apply to everyone.
I treat my dogs like royal family. Ask my husband, they get the best spot in the couch at Football time. My friends do the same.
However there is another side to the story. A story that does not need many words.
The look in the faces of those pets that are left or better dumped at local shelters all over USA speak volumes about their faith and destiny.
Not everyone in this country knows that shelters do kill within short from the entrance of the animal through their doors. And many of those who are aware of it just scroll their shoulders and say " So what?? "
In my honest mind I have a vision that crosses my mind and makes sense ultimately for its purpose. Let's say for instance that we all started, each of us, to CARE and to promote some sort of education, action or sense of responsibility, in our own little way, to make good things happen.
Let's say we go to a city shelter and meet a dog, take a picture of that creature, show it around, ask for urgent adoption or rescue before it's too late. Let's keep imagining that this dog, a Pittbull for example, whose name is Dumplin is set to be killed and the same morning she is about to go for her last walk two crazy women decide that this has NOT to happen. They start contacting every single person they know or can think of, they write, they beg, they believe that something can be done and with this object in mind they work their magic to pull Dumplin to safety. One hour later she would be gone. One hour made the difference, sometimes one minute makes the difference when it comes to life or death matters. For all of us. ONE is just ONE.
One is love, one is our life.
With that in mind these two crazy women made a huge difference.
But what happens later in Dumplin's life is the proof that good things happen to those who act in good faith and that good actions have lots of positive repercussions in other lives.
She was first fostered by the loving lady who saved her life, got her name changed to Allie Beth and, fast forward, she then found her forever family.
Some moons and skies later Allie Beth is now a certified therapy dog and she is at service of those in need who are very grateful for the gift she is giving to them: the precious, priceless gift of love.

This story shows us, once again, that doing good, promoting love, care, educate to embrace diversity and respect others will lead to more actions of care , love, respect like a domino effect.
Sharing good intentions, words, feelings, is key if we wish for a better future where people can live more in peace according to a sense of ethics, responsibility and respect.
If we teach for example our children to love nature, animals, to care for them we will show them, from the very origin, the importance to embrace others.  The ultimate result will show its fruits in a growing society that is not made of selfishness or violence, but that finds new solid roots in practicing tolerance, mutual understanding and respect. By doing that we promote a more healthy lifestyle both emotionally and physically.
Allie Beth's story is an inspiring example of what the single will of two people with a great heart, faith and determination were able to achieve. What is truly amazing is the great, positive impact that saving that single pet's life had in many other countless lives. Allie Beth is now putting her life and skills at good service for people in need.
She was adopted by a loving family and short later became a service dog at the local Hospital.
She even made the news.
Allie Beth was at first dumped by some people who did not value at all her life.
She was very lucky that on a cold morning two women from the opposite side of the world saw her face and joined together to make a difference, believing that where there is a will there truly is a way and that life is a gift and as such each life should be valued.
Her story proves us what we have always believed in:
that we GIVE LIFE AND WE FIND LOVE.

Below here is the article from the Shelbystar with the story of Allie Beth a great Pittbull who gets to positively change the destiny of so many people.

Allie Beth went from being abandoned on the streets of Florida to becoming a certified therapy dog in Shelby:

http://www.shelbystar.com/20150522/joining-the-service-from-abandoned-to-therapy-dog/305227740?tc=cr

The Diary of a thinking doG

Yesterday I went with my mom and dad to the restaurant.
It was cool because dogs were allowed in there. It was an ancient Italian style mansion with oil paintings on the walls and old copper pots hanging from the top of the ceiling.
They seated us at the end of the room next to the fireplace made of bricks.
The atmosphere was nice, quaint and warm. Good food was coming out of the kitchen and I tell you what, I had a hard time watching all those people eating with pleasure, savoring their home made- with love- pasta with black truffles and filet mignons while I was wondering what was going to be coming out next.
I sure did not miss my croquettes!!
Every now and then my mom was giving me a bite of her food, boy did that taste delicious!!
People were smiling at me and an elegantly dressed elder lady came to say " Ciao".
She had beautiful, deep blue eyes, with a touch of sadness in it.
Her hands were gently petting me while she was talking with a familiar voice.
For some reasons she started telling her life's story. She said I reminded her of her best friend, a loving dog she had at home who was keeping her company while her children seemed to have forgotten about her.
She had spent all of her life giving them an opportunity to study and offering them the best she could.
They all had achieved their goals and landed a good career up to their expectations.
She did many sacrifices through the years to make this happen and now that she was old everybody had left her behind. Somehow this thought reminded me of my siblings at the shelter....and all of the other creatures that are labelled or left behind in our modern society ( homeless people/ disable people/ elders....).
The only reason and motive of joy in her days was now her beloved dog and a cat.
They were her devoted companions, her loyal friend...they were all of her life, the only family she had left to stand near her through good and bad times.
A tear came to her eyes. I knew I had to do something. I looked at her and gently left my paw on her legs, leaning my head on her side.
Someone once said that we see only with our heart, that the essential is invisible to the eyes.
Her soul was shining of a special light made of generosity and compassion.
I thought her pets were very fortunate to have found their best half, it does not happen every day, it's a true blessing. I know they felt her love and they were sharing with her this unconditional, mutual feeling that is only for those who know how to treasure something unique and beautiful as only real love can be.
With dignity she stood up and after thanking my family for the time shared together she kissed me and said Goodbye.
Her story gave me a lot to think about.
She reminded me of who we are and what we do in life.
She reminded me of something I heard from a woman who has recently passed away at a very young age:
" It's bigger the ingratitude of people than the mercy of God". How true.
Last, but not least: on my way out I had this distinctive thought about how those who are considered somehow to be of less value are left behind in a society that is not capable to understand that by doing that it's ultimately damaging itself.
I know my mom can read my heart.
She looked at me and promised this will not happen to us.
And that she will keep working hard to give a second chance to those who do not have dignity or any voice left. No voice, no choice. We can and will change, one step at the time, that.
My mom does not have the presumption to change the world, but she is aware that with our single positive actions, we can contribute to make the great difference.
She believes in being part of the solution, that good things happen to those who work hard and in good faith.
My mom believes in embracing and respecting diversity.
My mom is an animal rescuer & I am her proud pet partner, her soulmate for life.

The value of a FreedoG

Freedom is a word that is often overused.
Everyone wants to be Free.
Everyone thinks to be free, but really are we indeed?
We spend most of our time being busy at work with people we often do not care to be surrounded by, yet we do not dare to say it....just keep it for yourself.
Once the weekend comes around we give voice to our instinct to get out of the box by going into...another box, just a bigger one: the Mall. We trick ourselves thinking it's fun to do window shopping, or get a taste of free roaming among lights, colors, food and....more people.
We need freedom as we need fresh air to breathe.
But often we do not realize that freedom comes with choices and we are lured by society into a type of life that is all but that. The banks own us, we work to pay bills, we are taken by the daily responsibilities, we tell ourselves we have to do it because "you've got to do what you have got to do", and in the meanwhile life passes by and we do forget about who we are or what we want to become.
We are animals trapped in golden cages.....

Just some thoughts to chew on..........

I have learnt a different appreciation for the value and meaning of freedom after observing my dogs running free.
Freedom is something we take for granted but it's not.
Freedom is something to be treasured.
If I close my eyes and take a deep breath I imagine a past life of old memories, when the sunshine was kissing the waters of the lake near our summer home and in the air i could smell the good reassuring scent of the cake my grandma used to prepare for us kids. I can still see my uncle running down the hills, the olive trees were green and lush in such a beautiful Mediterranean scenario.

No one can savor the taste of freedom better than a child that has not yet grown to face layers and layers of " thinking structures & superstructures" imposed by a society that turns people into somebody that has to fit into something.
In the meanwhile life goes by.

It takes trust in a relationship to let go -and this applies not just to the pet and people partnership-.
The leash represents the umbilical cord between us and our dogs.
They do feel if we are tense or relaxed, if we are fearful of something, stressed or in a happy mode.
A healthy pet-owner partnership presumes that there is a common knowledge of one another and enough trust built into respecting our distances and keeping them balanced.
A good relationship will allow us to feel free to let our dog free in a mutual understanding of what it means to be within each other's reach.
Our dogs can run far in the field but will come back to us in a safe time and distance.
They feel and enjoy in full the possibility to BE.
Freedom is a gift, it's a value to share,  learn, appreciate and live in full.
One day at the time we achieve a new level of knowledge and trust through nourishment and love.

“All grown-ups were once children... but only few of them remember it.” 
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.” 
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

“People where you live," the little prince said, "grow five thousand roses in one garden... yet they don't find what they're looking for...
They don't find it," I answered.
And yet what they're looking for could be found in a single rose, or a little water..."
Of course," I answered.
And the little prince added, "But eyes are blind. You have to look with the heart.” 
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Game time: Pets&People communication.

I was playing with my dogs today. As usual I gave it the opening sign, in our case the common word to get started is " Let's play!!"
At the sound of that single word " play" they all turn around and get excited.
Why?
Well for starters they know something FUN is about to happen.
A healthy, happy, emotionally balanced dog must live as many positive experiences as possible, together with their owners.
It's called a partnership. Pets are family and it's not only important but also beautiful to share joyful moments to treasure in each other's company.
If we associate one word to something fun, if we do it on a regular basis, the every day happy action will become something they acquire as a meaning of joy and good time. This will help them relax, enjoy life and, in case of pets that are presenting signs of stress, it will help them divert their energies and focus on something more pleasurable.
The same thing happens for humans.
If we start practicing positive thinking, if we try to use more happy words, have positive images in our mind & experiences in our lives we will benefit from it.

It's also important at the end of every game time/ interaction with your dogs to give a sign of closure. You can use your hands and say " The end" or " Finished". And then turn around and move away so they will read what your body language is telling them: I am out of this now, we are done for now.

"Happiness starts with a wet nose and ends with a wagging of a tale"