Stories by Arthur Witten

Liquorice made me very happy this morning. In so many ways Liquorice reminds me of the Newfoundlands who preceded her. However she added something "new", for her at least, that my last two did often. It was not a great or significant deed and...

A couple of days ago we journeyed to the home of my father's sister at Darkes Forest, a rural hamlet a bit off the beaten track, nearly an hour and a half's drive away. Liquorice had an invite too and traveled along cuddled into my father's...

While I was on the telephone doing the rounds of Software support, Tech Support and others at Compaq, Liquorice was biting many of her squeaky toys that litter the floor of my home-office. When Liquorice chewed her empty plastic drink bottle I...

I do not mean any disrespect to anyone but this morning I smiled. And it felt good. Liquorice usually eats her morning and evening meals outside, in the breezeway. This morning was different in that she would not come inside afterwards, to...

Liquorice must have had a very tiring day at the Show as she slept in till almost 8-30 Sunday morning! I groomed her as per usual, just an hour and a half late! She then went to the "loo" followed by a game for which she had no enthusiasm at...

Today Liquorice, in the company of her family, attended the Championship Show of the Newfoundland Club of New South Wales held at Bill Spilstead Complex for Canine Affairs, Erskine Park just west of Sydney here in Australia. And it seemed an...

I am fed porridge for breakfast each morning! For flavoring it contains some stewed fruit from our trees that has been frozen and now defrosted. This breakfast I willingly share with some members of the local bird population. They have their...

The area in which we live is a pleasant tranquil rural setting. Most people have a horse or two. Some run a few cows. Across the road a neighbor grazes a few sheep, another has a couple of goats for milk. The lad next door is currently raising...

When I walked along the driveway this morning towards our front gate Liquorice paralleled me just below the Jacaranda trees that line our track. As I looked down the slope at my little darling scenting for rabbits or birds or whatever my...

Liquorice tries to help us in many practical ways. Like carrying firewood from the shed to the house with me. Mind you I take the heavy "slabs" and logs while Liquorice only carries kindling in her mouth, but it's the thought that counts....

Liquorice met a little dog today that did not try to "attack" her! It was in a park where I take her for a comfort break if she travels into the city with us. Unfortunately dogs are not made welcome in the City of Sydney. We were on our way...

Liquorice, tired of seeing me work, sought a peaceful place to "rest". The spot she chose was under some evergreen Flowering Ash trees. They only grow about twelve or fifteen feet high but in their upper branches yesterday afternoon several...

Liquorice, tired of seeing me work, sought a peaceful place to "rest". The spot she chose was under some evergreen Flowering Ash trees. They only grow about twelve or fifteen feet high but in their upper branches yesterday afternoon several...

Today I was using a fork to loosen the soil in a vegetable garden above our small "house orchard" preparing it for the coming spring. The wind was blowing a gale as it usually does in August here in Sydney, Australia. And that wind thoroughly...

I must have walked in the small piece of dirt that was on the kitchen floor, as my little darling would never bring in any outside debris! So it falls unto me to take sole responsibility for messing up our home! But this particle had captured...

Liquorice watched with little interest as I had backed the car from the garage and parked it on the concrete apron in front of the garage and breezeway of our home. When she sees me do that she knows that I will soon be leaving with my parents....

There was a knock at the front door this afternoon following lunch. It was a pair of young ladies from the Jehovah's Witnesses bringing around their Watchtower magazine. They bring one around each month or so however today the junior one of the...

Rosie came to visit with her Auntie Liquorice last week-end. Rosie is a nine and a half week old Golden Retriever puppy belonging to my Nephew and his wife. Rosie warmed to Liquorice straight away on this their second meeting. She was no longer...