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An older man holds up a worn ball as a grinning scruffy grey dog waits eagerly, with an older woman smiling beside them. 10 / 21

Frank Held Up the Old Ball and Said One Word. Pepper's Face Did the Rest.

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Frank is holding up the ball, a slightly fuzzy, well-chewed veteran of many backyard games, and Pepper is practically vibrating. The scruffy grey dog has his mouth wide open in a delighted grin, eyes locked on that ball, front paws planted and ready to launch. Dolores stands close in her long grey cardigan, smiling through her glasses as if she's seen this exact moment a thousand times and still loves it. Behind them, the wooden fence, a pair of garden chairs, and rows of potted seedlings sit in the soft light of early evening, with a porch lamp glowing on the house.

Fetch is a wonderful outlet, but the toy matters. Worn tennis-style balls can become fuzzy and gritty, and over time that abrasive surface may wear down a dog's teeth. Balls that are too small for the dog can also become a choking hazard if they slip to the back of the throat. Many owners choose sturdy rubber balls sized well above what the dog could swallow, and retire toys once they start splitting. It also helps to keep fetch sessions moderate, with breaks for water and rest, because some enthusiastic dogs will keep chasing long after they're tired, which can strain joints.

None of that will dim Pepper's excitement. To him, there's no better sound in the world than Frank saying "Ready?" with that ball held high.

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An older couple sits barefoot at the end of a wooden lake dock with feet in the water and a grey shaggy dog beside them.Frank and Dolores Dipped Their Toes in the Lake. Pepper Took a Different Job.An older couple picks red apples in an orchard while a scruffy grey dog sniffs apples lying in the grass below.The Basket Was Almost Full. Pepper Was Still Inspecting Apples One by One.
A grey scruffy dog sleeps on a heap of quilt fabric while an older couple hand-sews quilt pieces at a table behind him.Dolores and Frank Spread Out the Quilt Fabric. Someone Else Had a Use for It First.An older couple naps together on a grassy lawn with a scruffy grey dog curled up asleep against them.Frank Lay Down on the Grass for Just a Minute. Nobody Got Back Up.An older man scrubs a car in a driveway as an older woman sprays a hose and a scruffy grey dog leaps at the water.The Plan Was to Wash the Old Car. Pepper Heard the Hose Turn On.A snow-dusted grey shaggy dog crouches playfully in deep snow while an older couple shovels the driveway behind him.The Driveway Was Buried in Snow. Pepper Had a Very Different Idea of Shoveling.