July 19, 2011

White Dog and the rest of the White Dog Army were surprised when Steve showed up at lunchtime. They gathered around him as normal but they were panting from the heat. "It seems warmer than normal in the house," Steve observed, and the pups all wagged their tails in agreement. He promised that when he returned home he would go up on the roof and make sure the evaporative cooler was functioning correctly.

White Dog rode with Steve after work to the hardware store. Their pre-roof discussion evolved a strategy that the water pads (which get clogged and yucky) would be replaced even if nothing was wrong with the system. This would improve the airflow through the water saturated pads sending more cooling air into the house. The replacement pads were sniffed and approved by TOWD, AWD, SAWD and YAWD upon their return. By then a slight breeze had kicked up and the skies clouded, making it possible to consider shutting off the cooling system for the half hour or so it would take Steve to fuss; and making it bearable for him to be on the roof.

Quinn was appointed safety supervisor and stood at the bottom of the ladder. Nuka and Puff sat at the far end of the yard where they could see Steve up on the roof. YoYoMa was put in charge of watching over the inside of the house. White Dog paced between all of the action and coordinated the group.

About midway through the change-out operation White Dog trotted in to announce that the water nozzles were partially clogged and that only a small stream of water was hitting the pads. Steve would have to clean those out.

YoYoMa went to the dog door to report that it was starting to get overly warm in the house. WD moved to the ladder to share the news with Steve but he was already coming down. He turned the circuit back on and the swamp cooler whirred to life. WD and the other White Ones charged back in; Steve joined them. Everyone sat directly in front of the living room duct and waited. In seconds air started flowing out...it was cool (cooler than it had been)...the breeze was strong...relief was almost instantaneous.

Everyone congratulated each other for a job well done. Cool drinks were shared. No one panted. Thoughts turned to dinner.