Calvin

We are working on a very special memorial for Calvin that will be included in the Smoky Mountain Humane Society’s Rainbow Bridge and Gardens exhibit that is being developed.

He just wanted to be a happy dog - no limitations now Calvin can run and play! 𝐈𝐟 you don’t know about Calvin‘s story, you can 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 the 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 pin𝐧𝐞𝐝 post. To really see more about this boys life it’s worth reviewing all of his posts and videos, and it will take you sometime to do that. Couple of posts down, some memories of losing this precious boy two years ago December 12th.

Thinking about You every day Calvin…….

PLEASE - PLEASE - READ and SHARE - SHARE - SHARE CALVIN'S FANS - The people and organization that saved Calvin's life needs you. He would never have been known to anyone if not for the work that's been done by Friends Animal Shelter. Well, in two weeks they will no longer serve as the animal shelter for the county - to keep their contract they would have had to become a kill-shelter and that was never an option. When the county takes over on August 1st we've heard they will only accept animals from their animal control officer (ACO) and within a brief hold, euthanized if not claimed or adopted. Over the past two years almost 2000 cats and dogs were either voluntarily surrendered or brought into the shelter as strays. That means our county will soon have 800-1000 animals a year being abandoned, deliberately set free or left to die in deplorable conditions since only animals captured by the ACOs will get to a shelter and their fate is sealed there anyway. This community, like all others needs organizations like Friends. So they don't confuse anyone after the contract ends, they are changing their name to the Smoky Mountain Humane Society (SMHS). We've posted these announcements on Calvin's page. With no revenue from a county contract to continue their work, the SMHS needs to replace all of these funds to remain open. They have launched a membership program. For less than 30 cents a day one can sign up for the $9.00 a month "K-9" membership. There are many other membership levels to join as well. There are 40,000+ residents in the county. Only 1,500 K-9 monthly members (less than 4% of our residents) would allow the SMHS to continue on with the same mission of saving the lives of hundreds of animals every year; providing low cost and free vaccination and spay/neuter events, and so much more. For the love of animals and in tribute of all that Calvin's life has meant, please consider a membership in this organization - encourage a friend, neighbor, co-worker,

Calvin’s 2nd Christmas Eve 2020 (his last) … Loved loved loved tearing up paper. Haskell taught him well.

Before all the meds….Calvin loved playing with his little brother.

This video was almost two years ago. Last night had a dream that I was holding Calvin in my arms and loving on him with kisses and hugs. Was showing him to people and then put him down and he did his circle and a few steps of following me - then I woke from the dream. Tried so hard to fall asleep quickly and return to that dream - but that never works.... we still well up in tears when we speak of him to others. Calvin's legacy continues - last week the shelter put out a request for oxygen needed to help a weeks old puppies with respiratory issues. Some of Calvin's followers joined others and quickly made arrangements for an oxygen bottle and two oxygen generators within hours. Many still reminisce about Calvin when they visit the shelter - he truly has changed lives and hearts.

The pup that never gave up.

Calvin - on his 12th day ….never, ever, ever, give up.

Have to repost this video without the music …..apparently Facebook was threatening to un-publish Calvin‘s page because of the copyright. Ironically the video was auto prepared by iPhone and sent to us as a memory ——so I guess Apple is violating it? We miss this guy so much - doesn’t seem like it is real that he’s left us.

Thank you all for sharing Calvin’s life. How can anyone really describe what Calvin’s life meant to so many in the brief time that he was with us. We have met and gotten to know so many loving, kind and generous people through Calvin. People we would never have had the good fortune to know in our lives otherwise. More important, through Calvin our faith in people was refocused. Too often we are led and even encouraged by some to believe that the world is filled with more evil than good. That’s not the case and it never has been. You have shown that love does conquer all. Thank you for your kindness, prayers and generosity. Your prayers and support helped us immeasurably through some of the more difficult times in Calvin’s life. Through your support of the fundraising in Calvin’s name, so much has been done to make people aware of animal cruelty and the need for adoptions or fostering. The truly life changing improvements made at Friends Animal Shelter through your generosity, will impact the lives of so many “Calvins” for years to come. Calvin’s story was so wonderful because it was told. So many of the lost, last and least never have their story told – he was the ambassador for them. He is a reminder for us that there are so many more like him that need us to right the wrongs of other people. We know that Calvin will always have a place in your hearts. He has left us with a heavy scar on ours that has yet to heal. His memory should always be reminder that others remain in need. Please support your local shelter – volunteer, foster, donate, pray for those who care for these animals. Calvin’s life wasn’t about the last two years, it is about the years we have left to make a difference so all of the others like him have a chance. Calvin’s page will remain for you all to visit and scroll back through time. In a few days we will repost the two videos made to capture his story from his being found up to his “adoption” wi

Before Calvin went out for the last time at night and before he gave Ali her goodnight kiss, most of the time Calvin would let you just love on him when yo woke him up to take that trip outside. Sometimes, he'd just spring up and be ready to go out for the "last call" but most of the time, we could lay down next him and rub his favorite spots - give him kisses and tell him what a good boy he was and how he was so handsome. We looked forward to these two daily rituals with so much anticipation.

It's Valentine's Day so it's more than fitting to show the heart of Calvin. I know one of Ali's most cherished memories is how Calvin would "say goodnight" to her. The routine was to take Calvin outside just before bed time. He would come back in the house, and head to head to his crate that was alongside our bed. Before he began all of the seizure medications, Calvin always stopped "to say goodnight to Ali" and get his goodnight kiss. He just knew to turn the corner around the loveseat and get a kiss on his head - it was a routine that I think they both looked forward to every night. Then without any delay, he'd turn and just head down the hall to the bedroom. An amazing and loving companion.

It's been a long and tearful two months. Everything about the day is different. Just another video of Calvin hearing that alarm reminder that it was dinner time. You'd never know this was his second of three dinners in the day. Tried teasing him with presenting his water bowl but he knew what time it was and what he wanted - dinner. Loved his personality and intelligence.

Dinner time! If you watch Calvin's expressions and listen closely, he hears the tupperware lids snapping when we open his food and begin to make his dinner. He licks his lips in anticipation. Our boy loved his dinners. Then Haskell, knowing that their dinner is being prepared, begins a frantic playing with his toys - excited that dinner is on the way. Calvin always wanted to join in on the fun - Haskell would give him a play growl and peck on his nose to let him know his little brother was in charge - luckily for Haskell Calvin was a good sport.

When in the mood, Calvin would play with toys outside, usually only for a while and then distracted by his favorite past times of finding a leaf to shake, chasing Haskell or even more fun - giving a quick dart towards Ali to let her know he was ferocious!

You need to listed closely for it....Calvin's dinner alarm tones - Pavlov would have been proud of him!

Liverwurst was one of Calvin's favorite treats, tied of course with steak. It always made it easy for him to take his medication. We'd break up the bills to reduce the size and put it inside some liverwurst. You can see how difficult it was for him to simply come up to your hand and take a treat, no matter how much he wanted to take it. It was just hard for him to gauge where the target was for his mouth - trying to hone in with his sense of smell. Haskell, also waiting in the wings - loved liverwurst also. We found that just putting Calvin's treat directly at floor level in your hand was the easiest way or him to get on target. When the treat was with medicine, we had to make sure Haskell didn't swoop in if Calvin missed one. Haskell always got a sample of plain liverwurst at the same time but always held out hope for another opportunity.