Dogs - Stockton, AL

Yesterday while at the river, Ruthi was throwing the ball for both Karma and Athena. She was using the “chucker” so she was able to do it most of the afternoon much to the dogs’ delight. At first, the dogs would alternate throws and chasing - which made it very easy for Ruthi to keep up with them. Both Karma and Athena went into the river to cool off. Athena would go in for a swim with the ball in her mouth. Karma only went up to her shoulders, dropped the ball, and then lapped up a drink. When the ball got away from her (which was every time since this is a river with a good current), she’d whine and beg Ruthi to rescue the ball for her. But that wasn’t going to happen. Finally, Karma figured out that she could walk along the retaining wall in 5-6 inches of water and get as close to the ball as possible before she needed to swim.

Karma (almost 6YO) has played “ball” indoors/outdoors since we got her. In order, for us to throw the ball again it must be delivered within 12 inches of the thrower’s feet. Athena on the other hand is only 2YO and seems to think that if she has chased the ball down/found it in the weeds and headed back to the thrower anytime she drops the ball on her trip back is ok. She will be heading to Ruthi at full speed and just drops the ball between her front feet whenever it occurs to her. Ruthi sends her back and luckily Athena has an excellent nose (unlike Karma who can sometimes be standing on top of the ball and not sense it’s there). Athena finds the ball and tries again to get it closer to Ruthi.

Finally, Ruthi tired out and picked up both of the balls and stored them in the truck. Neither Karma nor Athena were willing to give up; so, off they went in search of the 2 balls that had earlier in the afternoon be lost. Sure enough they found both balls and a 3rd one that someone else had lost. All balls and the “chucker” went into the truck to end the game.

Annie, Boots’ sister Linda’s old, old, old Jack Russell, wasn’t into chasing balls but she did attack the waves made by the pleasure boats’ travelling on the river. She thinks that fish will be coming up on the shore from the waves. Since they don’t; she barks at the waves in disappointment.