A local Newfoundland dog named Calvin will perform next month at the Consol Energy Center in a patriotic show that features more than 300 active duty soldiers. Maybe you've seen the television ads for the Spirit of America show, which includes Army musicians, historical narratives, battle scene re-enactments and simulated gunfire.

Calvin will portray Seaman, a black Newfoundland who traveled with the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery expedition in 1804-06. Seaman reportedly was owned by Meriwether Lewis.

Calvin is owned by Sam Butler and Joyce Echon-Butler of Independence, Beaver County.

"We are so excited and so honored that Calvin will perform in this show," she said.

The Army is even planning a special "enlistment" ceremony for the 150-pound, 4-year-old dog.

The Butlers have been breeding Newfoundland dogs for more than 30 years and their family has a long and proud tradition of Army and Air Force service. Sam Butler is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel. Four of the couple's eight children have graduated from the Military Academy at West Point. One of their grandsons, Kevin Butler, served in Iraq with the Army Reserves.

Calvin's great-grandfather, Jordan, played Seaman when the show was in Pittsburgh in 2003. Army officials always seek local dogs to portray Seaman in Spirit of America, which this year is coming to Pittsburgh, Highland Heights, Ky., and Grand Rapids, Mich.

The Army found Jordan and Calvin through the Penn-Ohio Newfoundland Club. Both dogs are show dogs, so they are well-trained and accustomed to behaving in front of big audiences.

"When Jordan was in the show, he walked out into the arena with the soldier who played Meriwether Lewis," Mrs. Echon-Butler said. "One show had a lot of children in the audience and there was quite a ruckus when Jordan came out on stage and walked up to a boat. He was on stage for five or 10 minutes. The main challenge was that the show was very noisy during Jordan's time in the spotlight."

Jordan performed like a champion, and the Army and the Butlers expect that Calvin will be just as good. He'll meet the soldiers and his "military handler" on Sept. 8 and 9 for dress rehearsals at the Consol Center. Then he'll be in four shows on Sept. 10-11.

Calvin is currently No. 10 on the American Kennel Club list of Newfoundlands with the most conformation "wins" at dog shows. In that arena, his official name is Grand Champion Butlers Farm Spaceman Spiff.

At home on the Butler farm, Calvin leads an enviable life. He and the other Butlers Farms Newfoundlands sleep in their own bedroom inside the air-conditioned house. Calvin enjoys early morning runs through the hayfields with Mrs. Echon-Butler, rides around the farm on a golf cart with Mr. Butler and loves to pull an Amish wagon.

When his show career is over, Calvin will probably compete in drafting competitions -- which involve dogs pulling wagons.

Many of the Butler dogs compete in Newfoundland water trials in which dogs rescue volunteers who pretend to be drowning. They swim out to the victim and pull them to shore. In another event they swim out to a rowboat filled with people, grab the tow rope and pull the boat to shore. But not Calvin.

"Calvin is a very good swimmer, but he doesn't like the water," Mrs. Echon-Butler said.

That's unusual in a breed that was developed as working dogs for fishermen, but it's not unheard of. Calvin does enjoy hanging out at the family pool watching the swimming antics of Newfs named Boo and Mittens.

"He's truly a gentle giant," Mrs. Echon-Butler said, and he is especially good with small children.

In keeping with his "show" name, Calvin has a costume that he sometimes wears, and Mrs. Echon-Butler e-mailed me a picture.

"You can see that Calvin has a sense of humor," she wrote. "He wore his Spaceman Spiff costume at the club Halloween party for about 45 minutes, posing patiently for pictures. We won first prize for best costume!"

The Army's four Spirit of America shows at the Consol Center are sold out.