Introducing Calvin!

On November 25th I sent my sister, Julia, a link to a Facebook post by Eromit Labrador Retrievers in Quesnel about a dog named Calvin looking for a new home. By the time we talked about Calvin later that day I had pretty much made up my mind I wanted to be considered, so I fired off a description of my home, life, and priorities. In that, I was able to truthfully say I was 62 years old because this all happened the day before my birthday. One more day and I might have been way too old for an energetic Lab!

A few days later Erin Lynes responded to say “I think Calvin would thrive in the situation you’ve described”. I had been selected! Julia and I quickly made plans to take a road trip together to pick up Calvin.

I’ve been keeping a daily log since the moment I met Calvin. We’re already on Day 20! So far his new life has been all about settling in. Our immediate priority is simply to get to know Calvin.

Here are some snippets.

Meeting Calvin! This is the only photo where it doesn’t look like I’m trying with all my might to hold him still.

Julia and I are both behaviour consultants, and spent a fair bit of the 5-hour drive from Quesnel planning for Calvin’s introduction to Maggie. What if this? What if that? That’s right, the experts at work! We cracked up when they finally met outside. It was such a non event! They became quick buds.

It didn’t take long for Calvin to settle in. After some whining on the drive to Kamloops Calvin’s new thought bubble became HEY, MY OWN COUCH! Plus Julia stayed for a few days so every moment was HEY! FUN!

Day 1 Calvin attempted one too many sideways licks on the kitchen counter. The humans put on their thinking caps and asked important questions like, do pizza boxes fit in the microwave?

In fact, Calvin is just a little too interested in anything kitchen related. We implemented a carrot station and he learned very quickly that’s the spot where good things happen. If I’m doing dinner prep I can now guarantee Calvin will be at the station, even with the dog door open and exciting things happening on our street! (And by that I mean whoa, car headlights!)

Then we changed the name to meatball station. Carrots were no longer quite his thing. Also, somewhere along the way Calvin’s middle name became Conrad, and his nickname became Corn Dog.

Shortly after Calvin arrived the temperature dropped to -25, then -30, then -35, then the thermometer maxed out. It was actually a blessing in disguise. It gave Calvin an opportunity to have some very deep sleeps. Potty breaks were brisk!

By coincidence, the colour of Calvin’s coat matches the collar Erin made for him. Somebody should tell him he doesn’t need to dress up for meatball station duty.

The carrot meatball station also became the scene of practical relaxation protocol. (Clients to whom I’ve emphasised the importance of never leaving the special mat on the floor after training can avert their eyes. That ugly towel hasn’t moved for 20 days!)

This protocol, combined with some serious decompression time, has made a notable difference. Calvin is less inclined to fly at the thing he wants in the moment.

However, it hasn’t stopped him from opening doors when he wants outside, or to get in the garage where there is a strong memory of bacon fat in the garbage can.

The humans are getting really good at locking doors!

The view from my office has sure improved since Calvin arrived. Our 13-year old Maggie spends more time indoors, not wanting to miss out on anything Calvin related. And Calvin takes his foot warming job pretty seriously, even though he has his own couch.

We’ve experimented with every long line in history. This heavy biothane line is definitely the ticket for deep snow and all the snag-magnet bushes.

We’re casually working on recalls, acknowledging check-ins, and establishing a passing vehicle routine. Other than that I’m content to just follow Calvin… within reason! Hey Corn Dog, that snow is way too deep!