And on April 14, Monica writes:

With the warmer temps we've been out for longer and longer walks. Trudi knows all the signs now - the leash, the shoes, the jacket, the plastic bags - and she stands at the door with Teddy wagging her tail and looking like a kid at Christmas!

Teddy has the ball and Trudi's chasing him around the maple in the back yard

Am very grateful for Trudi's health, energy and grace! It's been wonderful for Teddy to have discovered a new playmate in her - the two of them are truly pals. We've been so blessed to share our lives with these wonderful animals!

To which Christine replies:

Ok, maybe I am a big wimp but this post brought tears to my eyes. Knowing Trudi has a friend is the most amazing thing. Knowing she has a family is even better. Knowing she realizes that life is good is priceless.

Trudi is "pointing" at Teddy

On April 19, Monica writes: Trudi's bath

The dogs got their Easter bath today. (Nothing like bathing woolly hairey Airedales to make me look forward to their summer haire cuts!)

Trudi's smiling while Teddy's waiting for the mailperson

Trudi was the first in the tub. Then later, while I was bathing Teddy, she decided she needed an after-bath snack. Teddy's collar must have been just what she was craving. All that's left are the two end pieces - the buckles, each with a bit of nylon still attached.

I've looked all over the house for missing piece and I'm still hoping that I find it lying around somewhere . . . I hate to think that she's eaten it. If she did I hope she had the sense to chew it well!

Since she's not particularly food motivated for training, perhaps I'll just cut up the leftover bits of Ted's collar to use in our next class? LOL

Teddy's daring me to come steal the ball

Trudi in Auntie Sue [Forrester]'s bandana

On April 20, Monica writes: Trudi & the collar

We spent most of yesterday doing yard work outside, being supervised by the curlykin kids. It was a glorious day in the sun!

At one point in the afternoon, Tim went inside to get something from the basement and, lo & behold, there were the missing pieces of Teddy's collar. I've never been so happy to see a puddle of doggie barf!

Tonight Trudi decided to sample the leather leashes . . . Nothing's missing, but I found one of the leashes in two different places.

Life with Airedales is never dull, is it? LOL

Trudi in Auntie Sue [Forrester]'s bandana

Trudi, Teddy & Monica

See Monica at the WOTA (Week of the Airedale 2003) pre-party party HERE

Teddy & Monica do the "happy dance"

On 1 June, Trudi writes: Mom took me to two great big walks where they raise money for other dogs this weekend and I had lotsa fun and I even didn't try to run away when strange things made loud noises. Mommy talked about me and about all the rest of us rescued Airedales to anyone who would listen and it was almost embarrassing. But you know how da hoomans are.

We had to do lots of walking which is good for my Mom because if you've seen her lately you know what I mean. Oh boy. And I got to see lots and lots of other dogs and my Mom let me visit some of them but not as many as I wanted. So many dogs, so little time! Don't even get me started on the trees! I let her read her newspaper and do her computer stuff but she will barely let me get a sniff. The things we haff to put up with.

On Saturday dere was two other Airedales at the walk and we tried to hang around dem to see how many people would notice and then my Mom would explain about Rescue all over again. I was thinking that the next thing Mom would do is stand on the street corner with Rescue handouts well the weird hoomans must have read my mind and thought I was serious. Cuz today after the walk dey met another nice lady wif a rescued Airedale named Yogi and my mom was sitting at a table wif the lady and she was handing out information about all of us and we hads to be polite and smile and make nicey-nice with all the dogs and people that went by.

When people asked what was wrong with Airedales that so many needed rescuing I wanted to BITE them! You and I all know that it's the hoomans that have something wrong with dem and not us Airedales! My Mommy didn't let me bites dem and she didn't bites dem neither but I saw her fakey smile and explain to dem how us Airedales have a superior sense of humour (hey Molly?) and how some people can't handle dat and she said other stuff about people that kinda meant dat some people don't deserve to live wif us Airedales but she was nicer about it and all dat. I still wanted to give dem a piece of my Airedale mouth, oops I mean MIND, when dey asked dat stoooopid question . . . HOOMANS!

Wen we got home I was pretty tired (but still pretty!) It's a lot of work looking pretty and bouncy and fun and adorable and sweet and attractive and lovely and charming and well you gets the idea. I'm gonna go catch up on my beauty sleep so dat I can be ready just in case we go on nudder big walk tomorrow.

Sending my love to all you other Rescue 'dales who don't bite the silly hoomans wen dey ask dumb questions!

Trudi on duty for Rescue

On 17 June, Monica writes: Brave Trudi!

Just had to share another milestone in Trudi's life with you all!

We've torn out the carpet in the LR and DR and Tim's been patching the 50-year-old hardwood in preparation for a floor refinishing job later this week. He's been hammering and chiselling and sawing and, well, making lots of noise! Trudi doesn't do well with noise . . . and lately her favourite hangout has been in the basement in front of the dryer. I can't really blame her, there are days when I come home from work and would love to hide from the world there too!

Tonight I came home from some shopping and was greeted by the familiar hammering and by two happy dogs. Instead of the usual quick "Hi" and "'Bye" from Trudi, she actually stuck around! That is, she stuck to me like glue. We hung out in the kitchen together only a few feet from where Tim was chiselling and pounding away and Trudi didn't tuck her tail and hide. She stuck with me while I did dishes, and when I moved she moved with me.

I made a big fuss over her, lots of praise! Told her that she's a very brave girl and that I'm so proud of her staying upstairs with all the big noise. (We've noticed other things lately too - like that sneezes don't send her running down the hall anymore!)

We celebrate each little step forward and I'm sure that a year from now Trudi will be quite the confident little lady - and not just extremely cute!

Thanks to all who are involved in rescue for the dogs you bring into our lives! I can't let myself think about how Trudi's story could have ended if it weren't for rescue. I also can't imagine our lives without this dear girl anymore!

Monica with Teddy (I'm a guy and I'm cool with big noises!) and Trudi (noises are scary, but I'm learning to like some of them . . . the sound of the treat jar, the sound of the fridge, the sound of people coming home, the sound of the leashes . . .)

Trudi & Teddy shown with the kind permission of Christine Votel & Tim Sheffer and Monica & Tim Mahn