For two days last week, Thriller and her dad had three workmen here replacing the air conditioning system, or most of it. After nearly 28-years of faithful service, the unit had valiantly held on and breathed its last cooling exhalation as the hot Aussie summer ended.

The trio, who were in the 30s, were very taken with Thriller and kept patting Her Ladyship whenever they passed and had a hand to spare, or they’d stop and talk to the venerable Miss, often giving tummy-rubs when Thriller so requested. Trevor, the youngest of the trio was especially taken with Thriller. However, other than when on the receiving end of tummy-rubs, the lovely Lady showed little interest in the workers. Thriller was very clingy both days while the workmen were here, almost as though there were concerns that she might be getting another new owner!!!!

On the first morning, most of what was in the roof cavity upstairs was ripped out, lowered through the return air hole and tossed off the balcony onto the lawn near the open front door. Included were several 18” and 16” duct tubes each about ten feet long and covered in yellow insulation. The sounds of the men working in the roof cavity did not bother the venerable Miss – an advantage of having a hearing impairment. Another advantage for Thriller is that the little love is able to invoke her “selective hearing” with greater frequency. When Thriller does hear, but chooses not to comply, she has the disarming habit of laying on her side, upper-side foreleg raised, upper-side hind leg stretched back pleading for chest and tummy massages. Thriller does know how to make an offer the aging Arthur cannot refuse. However, I digress.

Usually Thriller followed me when I went outside and seemed totally unconcerned about the growing array of old air conditioning parts being strewn about the lawn, she noted their existence however Her Ladyship was happy to allow that it may as well be one place as another.

Then last thing before leaving the first afternoon, they were “organizing” the debris for the truck coming to take the rubbish away the following morning. Among the stuff being moved were the lengths “worm-like” of ducting and with the insulation on them. As already mentioned, Thriller didn’t seem to think there was anything unusual about the odd collection of junk landing on the front lawn, not until one of the blokes, Trevor, moved a piece of ducting just as Thriller walked out through the front door, and the piece he moved caused other ducting to move – Thriller immediately started reversing back into the house while emitting a huge rumbling defensive GROWL at the suddenly animated “worms”. A real resonating Newfoundland GROWL it was too!!!! With the blood-curdling sound, poor Trev froze and the colour drained from his face, or he near froze – Trevor was trembling visibly. He looked like his life were flashing before his eyes, and it was only a short feature, while his two “sympathetic” mates immediately burst out laughing at his reaction.

I went over reassuring Thriller, and with a little bit of reassurance Thriller was fine. Trevor took a bit more reassuring! Then I dragged two “worms” away, and with that, Thriller seemed instantly accepting of them once the venerable Miss knew her dad had “control” of these giant worms, and she quickly came over to thoroughly inspect them.

I did feel sorry for Trevor, especially with his colleagues bursting into immediate laughter at his reaction, and afterward they kept ribbing him about it.

As for Thriller, methinks that if ever danger threatens me, then I could rely on Thriller to run away far and wide to seek help for her old dad!!!!

Arthur Witten
Thriller – For controlling worms, my dad is better than Nexgard!