JUDY AND HER AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT 31 March 2008

Judy donned her Hippy Dippy Doggy Coat for a visit to the vet to have her lumps biopsied, but first, we went for a short walk. For an Airedale with a terrible haire-cut, she garnered a great many compliments. People could not believe that she was indeed 14 years old! Eventually, we were obliged to leave Miss Judy's many admirers behind to see the vet, who did needle biopsies. One of the lumps on Judy's tail proved to be a cyst; the other is a puzzle. We hope the lab will be able to enlighten us. Surgery is slated for Thursday. at which time Judy will have her teeth cleaned and all her lumps removed.

HERE IN THIS HOUSE . . . Here in this house . . . I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'. I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat. I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted. Here in this house . . . There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it! Here in this house . . . I will never be a substitute for anything I am not. I will never be used to improve peoplešs images of themselves. I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be. I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame. Here in this house . . . I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch . . . knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value. I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs. Here in this house . . . I will belong. I will be home. -- Author Unknown

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