On Monday, yet another visit to the vet was scheduled. The large wound at the base of her tail was collecting fluid which needed to be drained so further bleeding and another bandage was the result. The good news, however, was the vet's happy announcement that Judy's golf-ball-sized lumps were hemangiomas - not at all lethal or malignant. First Tail Bandage For the remainder of the week, Judy was good as gold. We could not put a protective collar on her because it would irritate the stitches on her neck so, instead, we watched her like a hawk. She didn't once try to unravel her stitches. Second Tail Bandage Last Tuesday, on her final trip to the vet, she was unzipped and emerged from her ordeal with nary a scar. She is a much happier girl these days - eats energetically, trots around the house with enthusiasm, gives lovely kisses and wants to keep her eye on us at all times. Because Judy is almost blind from cataracts and has greatly-reduced hearing due, apparently, to profound ear infections, she is wearing a light harness given to the Littlest Lunatic by our friend, Connie Turner of Northwest Airedale Rescue. LL kindly agreed that Judy could wear her harness for the time being. Attached to the harness is a short loop we think was intended to be used when jogging with one's dog. It also was given to us and is perfect for steering Miss Judy out of difficulties, leading her up & down stairs and otherwise giving us a method of controlling her movements when visual & verbal commands don't work. Judy continues to stun visitors to our home with her sunny outlook and apparent appreciation for life. She is a real doll - one we are delighted to have brought into Rescue. On 19 April, Maureen writes: Thank you all for your kind comments about Judy the sub-porch rescue. A number of you have wondered privately or publicly if Judy will become a Circus member. You know, although I would love to keep Judy, I think she deserves better than to be a performer in the Circus. My wish for Judy is that she might be the ringmaster in a home with fewer animals, where she would get the tons of attention & adoration she should have; a home where humans think she is just the most wonderful dog in the entire world and treat her accordingly; a place where people have lots of time to devote to her care & comfort; a family who will love Judy unconditionally. We could do those things, of course, within limits but, with three Airedales in the house - one a very busy youngster - and an extremely sick Toy Poodle (the vet whispered, "Cushing's" when I was there last with her), I don't believe we would do Judy any great favors by adding her to The Scott Circus. So, will Judy join the Circus? Perhaps, but only by default if a wonderful AireAngel can't be found to give her the sort of life she truly needs and is owed . . . . Meanwhile, she is welcome to stay on with the Circus and we'll do our best to be the sort of humans she needs in her life, but we're hopeful of finding even a permanent foster home who will do better than we can . . . . And, oh, I will miss her when that AireAngel turns up . . . . She's a very sweet, loving little soul . . . .

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