The Dog on Virgin River: How My Labrador Appeared in Season 7

If you had told me a year ago that my Labrador would audition for a television show, I probably would have laughed.

Makena is many wonderful things.

Loyal.
Curious.
Food-motivated in the way Labradors famously are.

But “television actor” was never part of the plan.

And yet somehow, my yellow Labrador Retriever Makena ended up appearing in three episodes of Season 7 of the Netflix series Virgin River.

For anyone wondering, the dog you see in those scenes is a yellow Labrador Retriever, a breed known for its trainability, steady temperament, and love of working alongside people.

It still feels slightly surreal to say that.

Somewhere in those scenes, a Labrador from the Fraser Valley is quietly getting a little bit of screen time.

How It Started

Like many unexpected adventures with dogs, this one began with a simple connection.

A professional trainer who works with animals for film and television productions reached out to Makena’s breeder, Foxtail Labradors. They were looking for a Labrador with the right temperament to audition for a role in the Netflix series Virgin River.

At first, the description sounded like something Makena would be perfect for. Most of the scenes were expected to take place outdoors on a farm, and part of the audition involved seeing how the dog behaved around horses.

Makena has always been an eager, smart, adaptable dog, so we decided to give it a try.

Which meant one thing I never expected to say as a dog mom:

My dog had an audition.

The Audition

The audition took place at MacInnes Farms in Langley, BC, a location often used for filming in the Fraser Valley.

It was a quiet day. There were no lights, cameras, or actors.

Instead, the focus was entirely on the dog.

The trainer wanted to see how Makena behaved around horses and whether he could pick up a few simple commands quickly. It was really a test of temperament — curiosity, confidence, and the ability to stay calm in a new environment.

Makena handled it beautifully.

He was curious without being reactive, attentive without being anxious, and eager to learn what was being asked of him.

Not long after, we received the call.

He got the job.

A Small Role on the Farm… Or So We Thought

Originally, we were told most of the filming would take place outdoors on a farm.

That sounded perfect.

Makena loves being outdoors — fields, fresh air, new places to explore.

A few days later we received details about his first scene.

It would be filmed… in a studio.

My stomach dropped.

Makena is incredibly smart, but like many Labradors he can also be a bit exuberant at times. The first scene required him to calmly sit beside the actors while being petted.

Another small complication: Makena is a COVID puppy and not naturally the most affectionate dog with strangers.

So now I had a Labrador who preferred outdoor adventures, wasn’t particularly interested in being cuddled by unfamiliar people, and was about to walk onto a professional film set.

No pressure.

Preparing for the Scene

Thankfully, filming didn’t start immediately.

Makena had a few preparation days in the studio working with the trainer before his first scene.

Those sessions allowed him to become comfortable in the environment and learn exactly what would be expected of him once filming began.

Watching that process unfold was fascinating.

Film work with animals isn’t about hoping a dog behaves well in the moment. It’s about careful preparation and communication so the dog understands the job.

Those prep days gave Makena time to practice the cues he would need and get familiar with the space, the trainer, and the people involved.

It helped calm my nerves too.

Lights, Cameras… and a Very Warm Set

Film sets are fascinating places.

There are cables running across the floor.

Large lights and cameras positioned everywhere.

Crew members moving quickly between adjustments.

And the lights are hot.

Very hot.

Which meant one more challenge: a panting Labrador is not exactly ideal when you’re trying to film a calm scene.

For many dogs, that environment could easily feel overwhelming.

Studio sets are bright, busy spaces filled with unfamiliar sounds and movement — a very different environment from running through a quiet field.

Working With an Exceptional Trainer

Thankfully, Makena wasn’t navigating this experience alone.

The incredibly talented animal trainer worked with him throughout the process, patiently guiding him through the scene and helping him understand what was expected.

Watching that process unfold was honestly one of the most fascinating parts of the experience for me.

There’s a level of timing, patience, and communication that goes into working with animals on a film set that most people never see.

I was doing my best to stay calm myself — trying very hard not to transfer any of my nervous energy down the leash.

With the trainer’s guidance, Makena rose to the challenge and handled the scene beautifully.

It was one of those quiet moments where you realize your dog is capable of more than you gave them credit for.

Seeing Your Dog in a New Way

When you live with a dog every day, they simply become part of your rhythm.

Morning walks.
Quiet evenings at home.
The familiar sound of paws following you from room to room.

But occasionally something happens that allows you to see them in a completely different context.

Watching Makena confidently move through a professional film set was one of those moments.

Not because it was glamorous.

But because it reminded me how capable dogs can be when they’re supported by the right people and given the space to succeed.

Dogs Create the Best Unexpected Stories

Life with dogs rarely goes exactly the way we imagine.

Sometimes the story is a muddy walk after a rainy Fraser Valley afternoon.

Sometimes it’s a quiet moment watching the mountains together.

And occasionally, it’s something as unexpected as your dog appearing in a few scenes of a Netflix series.

Makena’s role in Virgin River may only last a moment on screen.

But for me, it’s one of those memories that perfectly captures the joy of sharing life with a dog.

The surprises.
The adventures you never planned.
The quiet pride you feel watching them simply be themselves.

The Moments That Become Stories

If there’s one thing dogs are good at, it’s turning ordinary days into stories we never expected to tell.

Sometimes those stories happen on quiet trails or local parks.

And sometimes they happen under studio lights with cameras rolling.

Either way, they become part of the life we share with them.

If you ever want to preserve this chapter of life with your dog — their personality, their quirks, and the connection you share — you can learn more about how portrait sessions work and how sessions are designed to feel relaxed and natural for dogs and their people.

Because the best stories with dogs rarely follow a script.

The Day My Dog Appeared on Virgin River