One Fuzzy Tennis Ball, Four Fawn Puppies, and Everyone Wants a Turn

The tennis ball is almost as big as their heads, and all four puppies want a piece of it. On a cream knit blanket spread over the couch, one fawn pup has latched on with his mouth, another is batting it with a front paw, and a third has his chin resting right beside it as if guarding the prize. The fourth sits up at the back with his mouth open in a playful little grumble, clearly announcing that it's his turn next. Rumpled throws, socks, and a houseplant fill out the cozy, lived-in scene.

Play with littermates teaches puppies important lessons. When one pup bites too hard, the other often yelps and stops playing, which helps puppies learn to soften their mouths. That skill, called bite inhibition, continues to develop with people too: if a puppy nips during play, a brief pause in the fun teaches the same lesson. As for the toy itself, standard tennis balls can be a bit large for a tiny Chihuahua's mouth, and the fuzzy felt can wear down teeth over time with heavy chewing. Small, soft dog balls sized for toy breeds are a great alternative, and it's always wise to remove any toy that's starting to fall apart.

None of that has crossed these puppies' minds. To them, this is the greatest ball ever made, and the competition for it is fierce but friendly.

Four players, one ball, and absolutely no rules. It's the best game in the house.