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Smiling older Black woman in a gray hoodie holds up a tennis ball as an excited white Bichon Frise bounces on the lawn. 35 / 37

Grandma Hadn't Even Thrown the Ball Yet. Cotton Was Already Airborne.

AI imagebichon friseplaying fetchbackyard

Out in the big backyard, Grandma Loretta has a fuzzy yellow tennis ball raised high in one hand, and she's grinning from ear to ear in her gray hoodie and purple shirt. She hasn't even thrown it yet, but Cotton is already in motion. The Bichon is bouncing up on his back legs, front paws lifted off the grass, red collar bright against his white curls, tongue out and eyes locked on the ball as if nothing else in the world exists. Behind them, the lawn stretches back to a weathered wooden fence, with a few potted plants and garden odds and ends scattered along the edge.

Bichon Frises are playful, energetic dogs, and a game of fetch is a great way to burn off their energy. Most Bichons need a daily walk plus some active play to stay fit and happy. For small dogs, a smaller ball may be easier to carry, but make sure it's not so small that it could become a choking hazard. Tennis ball fuzz can be abrasive to teeth with heavy chewing, so some owners prefer rubber balls for chew-happy dogs. Keep fetch sessions moderate, especially on hot days, and offer plenty of fresh water. Repeated jumping should be kept to soft grass rather than hard surfaces to protect small joints.

One toss, and the chase will be on. With Cotton this excited, Loretta is in for a long, happy afternoon of throwing, laughing and throwing again.

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Older Black woman with short silver hair holds birdseed over a tray feeder of sparrows as a white Bichon Frise sits nearby.Grandma Loretta Was Feeding the Sparrows. Cotton Had to Show Some Serious Restraint.Older Black woman in glasses paints a landscape at an easel at dusk while a white Bichon Frise sleeps beside it.Grandma Set Up Her Easel Under the String Lights. Her Assistant Had Other Plans.Smiling older Black woman in a green cardigan leans toward a happy white Bichon Frise wagging its tail in a sunny kitchen.Grandma Loretta Started Swaying in the Kitchen. Cotton Wasn't About to Miss It.Older Black woman in a denim jacket walks a happy white Bichon Frise on a leash past crates of fresh market produce.Grandma Loretta Was Shopping the Farmers Market. Cotton Had His Own Agenda.