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A smiling older man in a cream cable-knit vest raises a ball in the backyard as a cream Chihuahua leaps eagerly toward it. 5 / 25

Grandpa Held the Ball Up Just Once. Peanut Was Already Off the Ground.

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Henry has the ball held up high in his right hand, and that is all it takes. Peanut is bursting off the grass, front legs stretched forward, ears perked, and her brown leather collar bouncing as she gathers herself for the chase. Henry is laughing, eyes crinkled behind his glasses, his cream cable-knit vest a little rumpled from all the bending and throwing. The backyard behind them is full of potted plants, a dark watering can, a patio chair with a cushion, and a stray blue ball from an earlier round.

People sometimes assume tiny dogs do not need much exercise, but Chihuahuas are lively and usually love a good game. Fetch in a fenced yard is an easy way to get their energy out without long walks. Choose a ball sized for small mouths, but not so small that it could be swallowed. Short bursts of play with rest breaks work well, since little legs cover a lot of ground relative to their size. Chihuahuas also chill quickly, so on cool or damp days keep sessions short. Regular play is good for an older owner, too, offering a little movement and plenty of laughs.

Henry may be doing most of the throwing, but Peanut is clearly doing most of the celebrating. In this backyard, a single ball is enough to make the whole afternoon feel like a party.

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