Stories by Arthur Witten
Arthur Witten resides in Australia. Over the decades, he has shared his heart and home with multiple Newfs. His colourful posts to Newf-L have been preserved on his page for all to enjoy.
Happy St Patrick’s Day!
This last week, I have been getting 5-month-old Mulligan used to wearing a hat. My hat at first, letting him see it going from my noggin to his. Not a concept that found immediate favour with the young master, however, we did make progress. Next, I tried him with a...
Does wildlife remember the gentleness of Newfoundlands?
When Mulligan first set foot in his new realm, the little fellow had access to the garage/breezeway, house and his grassy yard surrounded by moveable pool fencing, the sort with vertical bars, each panel loosely bolted to the next so it was easily moved to mow...
And then there was Mulligan…
Since farewelling the venerable Miss Thriller last October, I have been rescued by a new owner who has claimed me for his very own, a little Black puppy, name of “Mulligan”. Mully is “Irish Spotted” having four white socks, white front, white chest and a delightful...
One Month Already
It was one month ago today that, most sadly, I farewelled my girl, the venerable Miss Thriller. I would like to thank everyone for their kind words, condolences and memories of my much-missed girl. The little love had one prominent peculiarity, one that seemed to...
Vale Miss Thriller
It is with a heavy heart that I let the list know that Her Ladyship, the venerable Miss Thriller, was, most sadly, farewelled two weeks ago. Thrills had been in decline for a couple of months, however the decline accelerated just after the little love’s 14th Birthday,...
Miss Thriller is 14 years old
The venerable Miss Thriller turned a magnificent 14 last Saturday! And even better, remains happy in herself and enjoying her life to the very best of her ability! Mobility-wise, nothing has changed much. Thriller still needs assistance to get up, and support when...
Christmas Reflections
Out the back this Christmas morning feeding the birdlife, I gazed down the back paddock, lush and green, and by the back fence were two kangaroos slowing hopping about, nibbling a little here or grazing briefly at a tastier spot, and I reflected a year nearly done and...
Halloween with Thriller
Thriller had a great Halloween last Wednesday - we went up to Caffe 104 at the Sydney Uni Vet Faculty’s Camden campus for lunch, and invited Julie Holmes to join us – she’s the girl who gives Thriller her weekly physio massage every Wednesday. On arrival, each group...
Alas, a friendship destined never to be…
Last Friday, Thriller and her dad had lunch at her favorite café which is at Sydney University’s Camden Campus where Ag Science and Vet students get practical hands-on experience with farm animals. After leaving the café at the Uni, and walking back to the...
Thriller’s Birthday Lunch
Last Sunday (the 2nd) saw Miss Thriller turn nine years young, so yesterday (Monday) I took the venerable Miss up to the café at Sydney University’s Camden campus vet school where vet and ag science students from the main campus in Sydney get to do "farm...
A day early for Saint Patrick!
The main event for today was taking Miss Thriller up to the café at Sydney Uni Vet School’s local Camden campus for lunch, only it was about 2 o'clock when we arrived. Her Ladyship was decked out for Saint Patrick’s Day tomorrow with her green hat along...
Our Anniversary Day
A few days ago, Thriller and I celebrated our six-month Anniversary together, so after a really good meander about the back paddock before the morning’s leisurely session with the grooming gear, followed by a generous supply of tasty post-grooming treats,...
Some Excitement!
We had a brief bit of excitement here during last Monday morning’s walk. Thriller had a good “hunt” for bunnies off-lead down in the old orchard, and wanted to continue, however the lead was placed back on her collar to get the little Miss to walk further...
Christmas Present
Aside from heaps of treats, etc, Thriller's main Chrissie present was a “Snuffler” – and she loves it. It's the size of a pillow with long double strips of fleecy cloth tied in double knots to a rubber base mat. Tasty edibles get secreted amid the...
Dining Out With My Best Girl
Dressed in her seasonal finery, namely bright red Jingle-bell collar, “Santa’s Helper” bib and topped off with a springy red Santa hat with the while pom-pom bouncing up and down, my girl and I went up to Caffé 104 for our midday repast, and Miss Thriller...
Friends
I was most proud of the venerable Miss Thriller last night! Thriller was outside in her little grassy yard furiously barking at something in the inky gloom. Thriller has a new grassy yard that she has access to 24/7, and it has proven most successful with...
Mission Accomplished
It has been many years since last I had to collect a urine sample from female Newfoundland. Ruggles, and Keaton before him, upon receiving the command to “Have a leak”, simply stood on all fours, stretched out a little and let go – easy-peasy to collect a...
The One That Got Away
Thriller had her weekly physio massage, then enjoyed a real good “chase” of a bunny once Miss Julie had departed. She, that being Miss Thriller rather than Miss Julie, “chased” said bunny a handful of yards at a time for around three quarters of a mile,...