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A smiling elderly man crouches in a backyard holding out a fuzzy tennis ball while a fawn Pug looks away toward the sky. 16 / 38

Grandpa Ken Was Ready to Play Fetch. Mochi Had a Different Opinion.

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Fetch is officially on, at least according to Grandpa Ken. He crouches in the grass of the big backyard, green sweater vest over a gray-blue shirt, beaming as he holds a fuzzy, well-loved tennis ball right out toward his dog. Mochi, however, has turned his wrinkled face up and away, gazing off at something in the distance with an expression of noble disinterest. His curly tail is up, his brown collar is on and his body is clearly ready, but he is making Grandpa Ken work for it. Fallen leaves, potted rosemary and a tall wooden fence frame the yard.

Pugs were bred as companion dogs rather than retrievers, so many of them are lukewarm about fetch, and that is perfectly normal. They often prefer short games, tug with a soft toy or simple sniffing activities. If you do play fetch with a small breed, choose a ball sized so it cannot lodge in the throat, and replace worn tennis balls, since the fuzzy surface can be abrasive on teeth over time. Keep throws short and on soft grass, and take frequent breaks. Flat-faced dogs can become winded quickly, so heavy panting is a sign to stop and rest in the shade.

Mochi will probably chase that ball eventually, on his own schedule and with great dignity. Grandpa Ken does not seem to mind the wait. In this backyard, the game is less about the ball and more about the time spent playing it.

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