The Jol Ball

Seriously - someone should create a reality TV show about our household.  It would be TRULY entertaining.

So my human went to our favorite destination the other day - the Pet Store - to get food for Jaws.  He eats more than Frodo and I combined - he's a GROWING boy.  And of course, she can NEVER walk out with JUST food - she spotted something that she thought would be awesome.  A Jolly Ball.  For those who don't know what they are - they are a firm rubbery ball, with a rubbery handle. Legend has it that a Jolly Ball was previously in our home - but Paxton ate the handle off, so the ball became the Unjolly Ball.  It was eventually thrown away.  But my human thought we could try a new one - and knowing how Jaws LOVES balls, it would be perfect.

So Friday she got home from work and after our walks and meals, decided she would try it out.  It was raining out - so she wanted to have some inside play time to tire us out.  She took us down to the the rec room, sequestered Frodo and I to watch at first, and excitedly introduced the ball to Jaws.  He just stared at it.  Then he did a play bow and barked at it.  Then he raced around it.  My human tossed it across the room and he ran.  The other direction.  She went and got it, and showed it to him again.  She encouraged him to touch it.  Which he eventually did.  He even attempted to hold it.  But after about 15 minutes, my human gave up trying to get him to play with it - he was MUCH more interested in the treats she had in her pocket.  So she had an idea.  Get US to show him how to play.  So she put Jaws in an X-pen and brought Frodo and I out to play.  Each of us took turns getting the ball and bringing it back for a tasty treat.  We thought it was a jolly old time indeed.  Jaws watched with great interest.  Back and forth we went.  After multiple repetitions, and our tongues were hanging out, she again sequestered us and brought Jaws back out.  He couldn't WAIT to get out.  So my human showed him the ball and with great enthusiasm, tossed it across the room.  Jaws raced out looked at it and ran back to her.  She walked across the room and tried again.   She repeated this numerous times - it was actually kind of fun to watch HER retrieving.  And after about her 63rd try, she happily tossed it out and he went after it.  This time he picked it up!  And carried it about 3 steps, lay down and started to chew the handle.  My human rushed over, did the "trade thing" and once again tossed the ball across the room.  Repeat performance - and this time Jaws REALLY started to chew in earnest.  My human sadly did the "trade" and said "OK, that's good for now, and gave up.   

The next day, we got to play with it outdoors.  And it was a command performance - with my human running back and forth across the lawn.  Sometimes Jaws WOULD go after it, but he never brought it back.   Frodo and I clearly like the ball, but Jaws obviously just doesn't have that "retrieving" concept down quite yet.  And he would much rather chew it.  So I'm renaming it the Jol Ball - it's not COMPLETELY jolly.  I'm sure he'll learn how to play with it...someday.  Mind you- he IS a lot like Paxton....

Have a good one!