The Calgary Stampeders have a new teammate who runs fast, gets great yardage after receptions and is a good boy.
He’s a foster puppy that they call a retriever receiver.
The four-month-old dog is from the Cochrane and Area Humane Society, which is currently at capacity.
The idea for fostering an animal emerged at the Stamps’ training camp.
“We had a whole bunch of puppies come to one of the training camp days for just a little bit of therapy and stress relief and it just kind of went from there,” said Kendra Watt, who is fostering the dog, on Sunday.
Will Johnson, a former Stampeder, is involved with the humane society and has four dogs.
“It makes you melt,” he said.
“It helps you to relax during training camp and during the season. It’s proven that they’re there to help support you and just all around make you feel good.”
The pooch’s name will be announced on Aug. 3 at the Stampeders’ game against the Edmonton Eskimos.
Watt said the animal has a “gregarious personality” and some deformities in all four of his legs.
“We have a little bit of medical investigation to do with him before we truly know what his future holds physically,” she said.
The Stampeders will foster the puppy until after this year’s Grey Cup.
“We’re quite happy to have until the end of November to figure out what’s going on with him,” Watt said. “Hopefully, by that point, we’ll know where he’s at physically. I’m sure there will be a big lineup for adoption applications.”
WATCH: The Calgary Stampeders unveiled their newest teammate — a foster puppy