Featured Dog Friday

When you love your dog more than words can express, it’s natural that you want everyone else to love them too – you want your dog to happily enjoy the company of all the people he/she meets, especially your family and friends who come to visit. Introducing your pet to new people can be exciting and fun, but for some dogs, it can be stressful if they aren’t used to seeing new faces. They may go into “stranger danger” mode. 

Believe it or not, a single negative encounter, even one in puppyhood, could be traumatizing enough for this general fear to take root. Dogs with a history of abuse may be afraid of strangers, so if you’re aware of a history of abuse you will be able to better understand why your dog fears strangers. With some dogs the issue may simply be lack of socialization training. Socialization is very important to dogs, especially when they are young. Puppies that don’t have a chance to meet a wide variety of people are more likely to develop a fear of people they don’t know. Anxiety from unfamiliar people can trigger aggressive, shy, or even nervous behavior.

This week’s Featured Dog Friday has been let down not once but twice in his young life, and it is way past time we help him find the forever he was promised. 

Meet Calvin! This sweet, handsome boy was picked up as a stray and brought to the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter by police in November 2020. Upon intake, Calvin was nervous, had no interest in playing with toys, and was anxious about receiving attention and approaching strangers. Slow introduction to new people and new things was necessary. Calvin did test well with other dogs and enjoyed meeting them. 

After a brief shelter stay, Calvin was adopted; however, after only one day in a home, not nearly enough time to adjust to a new environment with new people, he was returned to the shelter after suffering from a traumatic incident which left him seriously injured; his heart shattered. 

Thankfully Calvin physically recovered, but it is beyond heartbreaking that this amazing boy is still waiting behind shelter walls. For over a year and a half, he has been watching from his kennel as other dogs come and go, wondering if he will ever get his chance to be loved and cherished forever. 

Calvin is 3 years young, a handsome hunk weighing in around 46 pounds. He is extremely affectionate with people once he gets to know you. Calvin is very sweet, smart, and knows his basic commands. He is active, loves to run and work for his food – so get yourself a good pair of running shoes and together you can go on some great adventures. Active adventurous dogs like Calvin can make your everyday adventures more fun. If you are looking for a sporty pal Calvin is your man!

Shelter volunteers have stated that not only is  Calvin a favorite of theirs, but he knows basic agility and is doing great with loose leash training. Once he knows you well he likes to sit right next to you for pets and if you stop he paws at you for more. He enjoys the water in a baby pool, is athletic but can be stubborn when it’s time to go back into his kennel. He literally puts the brakes on – but who could blame him, he just wants to sit in the shade and relax with his people. He is highly treat motivated, smart and likes learning new things.

All this beautiful soul needs is someone who will take the time to get to know him and understand him. Calvin will require multiple meet and greets at the shelter so he can learn to trust that not all humans are unkind. These meet and greets are very important for Calvin to get to know you, and for a successful adoption. Once Calvin warms up to you, we have been told he is the biggest sweetest friend you could ever have. Whatever amount of time it takes for Calvin to get to know and trust you, the time and investment will be worth it!

Calvin needs a very special Mom or Dad — savvy, experienced, patient individuals who will be committed to him and will put in the time needed to gain his trust, continue to work on his socialization and insecurities. An adult-only home, with not a lot of people traffic going in and out, that will give him the time he needs to decompress, adjust to home life, and warm up slowly to strangers and new things. Helping Calvin build confidence and trust in order to overcome his fear is not only one of the greatest gifts you can give him, it is a very rewarding experience for you too. Calvin may be placed in a home with another dog that is respectful but no cats.

Calvin can also get a bit overstimulated if too much is going on around him at once; he needs to take things slowly, and it is completely understandable. Overstimulation occurs when there are so many things going on in a dog’s environment that they become overwhelmed and can’t process them all at once, usually resulting in hyper-arousal. Calvin gets a bit nervous and needs help navigating through the outside world, for he has only known life behind shelter walls. 

It’s important to keep two things in mind when it comes to adopting a dog like Calvin: 
1 – You shouldn’t expect an overnight change, and you shouldn’t count on a complete turnaround in his trust level. 
2 – He will need a committed, loving and nurturing environment where he will be supported and given that time and patience he needs to become the very best friend we know he can be. 

Please open your heart and give Calvin the chance he truly deserves! He is worth multiple trips to the shelter and so worthy of being loved and cherished for the rest of his life. Make arrangements to meet him, spend time with him, we guarantee you’ll fall in love. 

Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter
3320 Beltagh Ave
Wantagh, NY
(516) 785-5220 ext. 4641 or 4651
adoption@tohmail.org

Be sure to head over to Adoption Central right here on Paws Give Me Purpose, share Calvin and all the other Featured Dog Friday pups still in search of their forever homes.

Adoption Central