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A grandpa in a cap and vest tosses a tennis ball across a backyard as a blue merle Border Collie dashes after it. 8 / 22

Grandpa Has Thrown This Tennis Ball a Thousand Times. Skye Is Still Faster.

AI imageborder colliefetchbackyard

Earl's arm is still extended and his fingers are spread from the release, the bright yellow tennis ball hanging in the air just off to the side, mid-arc. He is grinning under his cap and mustache like a man half his age. Skye has not waited to see where it lands. She is already in motion, low and fast across the grass, ears pricked and eyes locked on the ball, her blue merle coat a blur of black, gray, and white. The backyard around them is a little scruffy, with a weathered wooden fence, a blue watering can, a few pots by the gate, and patches of worn turf that suggest this game happens a lot.

Fetch is one of the best ways to burn off a Border Collie's considerable energy, and the breed's speed and focus make them natural players. A few guidelines keep it healthy. Warm up with a few easy tosses before long throws, avoid very hot parts of the day, and offer water breaks. Some dogs can become a bit obsessive about chasing, so mixing in short pauses, a sit before each throw, or a different game helps balance things out. Tennis balls are fine for supervised play, but heavy chewers can wear them down or bite pieces off, so choose a sturdy, appropriately sized ball and put it away when the game is over.

In about four seconds, Skye will be back with the ball and dropping it at Earl's boots. And in about five seconds, he will throw it again, because neither of them is anywhere near ready to quit.

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