March 17, 2011Dear Sir,Further to your recent editorial about Dr Barbara Ball, I should be grateful if you would allow me to add the following personal and non-political tribute:My first recollection of Dr Ball was as a very young child, sandwiched between my sister and brother sitting on the bench in her office, in the Medical Associates' Building on Church Street. When I returned home in 1982 to set up my veterinary practice next to the Union, I came to know her as a friend.Dr Barbara Ball was one of my first clients, and remained loyal through to 2005, when the Dr Ball we knew had already slipped away, leaving a frail body behind to be cared for by others. One day the call came in from a minder, requesting we “removed” a last remaining faithful canine.Barbara kept a horse in the 1980s and always, throughout her life, a number of dogs, large and small. She spent many hours in our veterinary hospital with her own companions, and sometimes with animals from homeless people.It should be known that Dr Ball took into her own residence over the years, many homeless together with their companion animals. The medical care and compassion she extended to humans in need, she extended without reservation or fuss to their animals. Directly and indirectly, through Barbara, we were able to gain the trust of many itinerant people, and bring veterinary supervision to their animals.We shall remember Barbara as the kind and compassionate personification of humanity, who interacted in love and respect for all things living.In her unspoken ability to communicate with children and animals, she received from them, uncritical love and respect in return, which she deserved.MAUREEN WARE-CIETERS MRCVSSt David's