Calvin

Dog 

Calvin was a one-hundred and thirty pound Alaskan Malamute who David had rescued at the age of about three months from what, apparently -- and would later manifest itself to have actually been -- an abusive home. (The manifestation of the abuse would reveal itself whenever David or I would raise our hand over Calvin's head. Any raised hand would bring a duck and cower from Calvin. He had obviously been hit or slapped on the head when he was very young.) Suffice it to say, a fellow worker of David's was in the middle of a bad divorce from her husband and the husband (undoubtedly suffering from SPC -- Small Penis Complex) had gone out and purchased two full-blooded Alaskan Malamute brothers and couldn't care for them both. Thus, David's rescue.

Calvin wasn't more than six months old when his back legs appeared to collapse and he fell. Xrays revealed an early onset of hip problems. A triple pelvic osteotomy (they cut the pelvis in three places and reposition it with screws and wires) was performed to correct the problem. The first surgery was a failure and the same surgery was performed a second time which proved to be a success. Recovery from the surgery was a nightmare. It was so terribly, terribly painful for Calvin. We had to separate him from our other Malamute, Melissa, which was probably the most painful part of the recovery for him to bear. (His right hind leg would, thereafter, turn slightly inward whenever he stepped down on it).

Six years later, we noticed that Calvin kept blinking his eyes which appeared to be red, irritated. The first visit to the vet resulted in a diagnosis or conjunctivitis and drops were prescribed. When that didn't help, a second visit to the vet revealed swollen lymph nodes in the neck (why the vet didn't check the lymph nodes on the first visit is a mystery). So, a biopsy of the lymph nodes was performed and, yes, it was lymphoma. This was December 23, 2003.

We had a great Christmas that year.

Off to the oncologist we went, Calvin and me, only to be told that because of the ocular involvement (Calvin had developed swelling and hemorrhaging in the eyes) that chemotherapy would provide maybe three months of remission -- this after six months of chemotherapy. And, because of his size, chemotherapy would cost about $5,000.00.

We went home with prednizone.

And, until March 14, 2004, we had our baby with us, slowly failing; slowly giving up the vibrancy that so defined who he was. On March 14th we had the vet come to the house and end Calvin's days ... here, on earth.

I know Calvin is chasing rabbits with Eddie, our friend John's beloved greyhound, there, somewhere in the magical space and time that we may be blessed to become a part of someday.

We miss you honey.