Kalvin

Kalvin, age 6 1/2

AVAILABLE

Middle-aged companions Hailey and her “husband” Kalvin—collateral damage from a divorce—made the trip to Austin from a shelter way down south.  They both love car rides but arrived exhausted, thirsty, and, as you would expect, quite nervous about where this long trip had taken them! Pretty stinky too. First order of business was a bath and brushing. Kalvin loved it start to finish; Hailey was afraid of the hose but couldn't get enough of the massage action and brushing and fussing.

While they should have been starved, they both turned up their noses at kibble!  It’s clear from their behavior in the kitchen that these two are used to people food (mooches!).  Also, they’re virtually attached at the hip. Kalvin takes care of Hailey, giving her kisses of comfort and looking over his shoulder when going outside to be sure she's right behind him. They both are very quiet when anyone comes to the door and sleep through the night without a peep. They meet people and other dogs without a bit of hesitation or aggression. They are very trusting and friendly.

Neither of them seem to know their names or any commands (I thought they might speak Spanish, but no). Apparently no prior leash training, but their pulling is of the manageable (not freight train) type.  Housebroken?  Probably, mostly. One accident over the long Labor Day weekend, with Kalvin as the likely suspect.  

There’s a considerable size difference between these two – in fact, I have started calling them the Diva and her bodyguard! Sweet Hailey has a significant weight issue: despite a medium-sized build, she weighed in at a plus-sized 92 pounds! Consequently she waddles when she walks and doesn't get up and down very gracefully. She attempted some little jumps outside but her vertical leap is about 2 inches. Unfortunately, she's heartworm positive, which is going to put a kink in her workout routine for the next 3 months. And she spits out her green beans and carrots, so will need to learn some new healthy eating habits!  

Hailey's favorite thing is sitting on your feet. She's not pesty at all,  just likes to lean into you or on you and be stroked.  She likes carrying around bones and toys in her mouth.

We’ve found that she has quite the stubborn streak—on her morning stroll this morning, she refused to go more than half a block, so I took her home and continued on with Kalvin for a very pleasant walk, to work on his leash skills (already improving). When I got back my husband said she was standing at the door the whole time whining her head off that we left her. She also knocks down the babygate now with no help from Kal; just plows into it. She can be a stinker!

Kalvin is a lanky guy who, at 66 pounds, could use about 7 of his friend’s extra pounds.  He's curious and takes inventory constantly of where Hailey is and where we are. "Everyone settled in one area? Great, now I can relax!" He'll paw for attention but after a good head scratch and tummy rub, knows when to quit.  He's got that friendly-goober-guy-thing going on, which makes him so very loveable. Surprisingly, he is heartworm negative – don’t know how he managed that!

Because Hailey and Kalvin are so very bonded to each other, we are looking for an adoptive or foster home who is willing to take two older Goldens at once. Do you have room for this charming duo? Please let us know!