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A smiling grandmother holds a tennis ball above an excited white Maltese in a grassy backyard at golden hour. 12 / 32

Abuela Raised the Tennis Ball Just Once. Copito Was Already Gone.

AI imagemaltesefetchbackyard

One raised hand, one yellow tennis ball, and Copito is already halfway into a sprint. Abuela Rosa stands in the backyard grass in her blue T-shirt and floral apron, grinning as she winds up for the throw. Copito's front paws are lifted, his fluffy coat bouncing, mouth open in pure excitement. The late-afternoon sun lights up the wooden fence, the potted plants along it, and a few leaves scattered in the grass. It is the kind of game the two of them could play until the porch light comes on, or at least until someone needs a drink of water.

Fetch is a wonderful way to exercise a small dog, but ball size matters. A regular tennis ball can be a bit large for a toy breed's mouth, and some dogs chew the fuzzy covering, which can wear down teeth over time. Many pet stores sell mini balls made for small dogs. Keep fetch sessions short and give breaks, especially in warm weather, and choose soft grass over pavement to protect little joints. Throwing low and rolling the ball instead of launching it high also reduces jumping and twisting. Ending the game while your dog is still eager keeps it fun.

Copito does not need the ball to be thrown very far. He just needs it to be thrown by Rosa. Some friendships are measured in the number of times one of them is willing to say, all right, one more.

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