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, and then eating very little to nothing for her last couple of weeks. The little Miss grew steadily weaker, until, finally, it was time.
Thriller remained happy, and smiling, even as her body failed.
Thriller now resides at Rainbow Bridge, both health and youth restored, cavorting with those other Newfoundlands, who, over past decades owned me also.
Thriller has bequeathed me vast memories of our times together, joyous memories as she snuffled about the undergrowth around the acreage, endlessly seeking scents of unseen “prey”, or the girl galloping over the paddocks hopelessly chasing kangaroos and deer, and ever reveling in the pursuit. And of times at Caffe 104 gobbling down her namesake Thriller-burgers, which ended up on their menu when other diners asked for the same as Thriller was enjoying.
Even Her Stubbornness’ legendary stubbornness gave Thriller a “character” that delightfully endures.
Over the years, I have found that the overwhelming grief, that comes with the passing of our beloved Newfoundland, fills the heart with grief, however, as that grief slowly subsides, I have found the heart “expanded”, allowing yet another precious Newfoundland to enter, filling that emptiness. That is our Newfoundlands’ final gift to their human, left behind.
As for the future, hopefully, I will become owned by one more Newfoundland puppy (Newfoundland 8.0) before being reunited, gloriously, with them all on the further side of Rainbow Bridge.
Arthur Witten – now Thrillerless, and Newfoundlandless
Sydney, Australia