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A smiling gray-bearded man in suspenders raises his arm to throw a ball as a dark red Golden Retriever waits eagerly. 26 / 38

Roy Wound Up for the Throw and Paused. Copper Couldn't Take It.

AI imagegolden retrieverfetchbackyard

Arm cocked back and a tennis ball gripped in his hand, Roy is milking the moment for all it is worth. He leans into the throw with a mischievous grin, wearing a plaid flannel shirt, khaki pants, and brown leather suspenders. Copper is crouched right at his side, mouth open, ears forward, and eyes laser-locked on the ball, every muscle ready to launch the second it flies. Behind them stretches a wide backyard lawn, a white house with lit windows, a green watering can, a blue cooler, and a hedge lining the fence.

Fetch is practically built into a Golden Retriever's DNA. The breed was developed to retrieve game for hunters, and many Goldens will happily chase a ball for as long as you are willing to throw it. That enthusiasm is wonderful, but moderation helps protect their joints, especially in a breed that can be prone to hip and elbow issues. Mix fetch with walking, sniffing, and rest breaks, and avoid lots of sudden, twisting leaps. Choose a ball that is too large to be swallowed, and replace balls that become chewed and torn. On hot days, keep play sessions shorter and offer plenty of water and shade.

In about half a second, that ball will be soaring across the yard and Copper will be right behind it. And then, of course, he will bring it back and ask for just one more.

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A gray-bearded man in suspenders reads a yellowed letter on a couch while a red Golden Retriever rests its head on his knee.Roy Found an Old Letter in a Drawer. Copper Knew Before He Did.A gray-bearded man in suspenders sleeps in a brown recliner while a dark red Golden Retriever rests its chin on the armrest.Roy Fell Asleep in His Recliner. Somebody Decided to Stay on Duty.A gray-bearded man in a knit cap and suspenders nails a fence board while a dark red Golden Retriever holds a stick.Roy Was Fixing the Fence. Copper Showed Up With Supplies of His Own.A gray-bearded man in a cap and suspenders plants a tomato seedling while a dark red Golden Retriever digs beside him.Roy Dug One Small Hole for His Tomato Plant. Copper Dug a Much Bigger One.