Wendy Calder’s practice of adopting rescued animals has paid off in a way she never imagined.
On April 13 her latest rescue, a 9-month-old sheppard/lab puppy named Cheyenne, helped avert a possible tragedy by preventing her son Nathan from falling into a pond on a rural property southwest of Ospringe that the family calls home.
“All I can say is, thank God for large dogs,” said Calder.
Last Friday she and her husband Jamie lost sight of 2-year-old Nathan outside their house. They began to panic, and headed to the two ponds at the front of the property.
Calder said that’s when she heard Cheyenne growling and from a distance saw the dog knock Nathan down at least four times as he approached one of the ponds.
“She was doing it on purpose,” said Calder, noting she used to train dogs for a living. “For a puppy to have the presence of mind to save him is quite amazing.”
Calder added the dog has taken a particular liking to Nathan and constantly follows the toddler around. She’s not sure why, but regardless, she is thankful for the bond and very proud of the dog.
“Cheyenne won’t get in trouble for getting into the recycling ever again,” she said with a laugh.
Nathan, for his part, is fine. He seemed oblivious to the danger and was even angry with Cheyenne for knocking him over, Calder said.
