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August 20, 2015

Game of Bones

We’re in the final throes of summer and the beach is crowded with people and pups soaking up the fleeting sun. More pups means more competition for coveted sticks, tennis balls and toys. Games of fetch these days end up looking like this: There are five dogs in this
We’re in the final throes of summer and the beach is crowded with people and pups soaking up the fleeting sun. More pups means more competition for coveted sticks, tennis balls and toys. Games of fetch these days end up looking like this:Rhodesian Ridgeback, Montrose Dog Beach, puppy, chicago, adventure, dogs

There are five dogs in this photo. Promise.

These waning summer days are an excellent study of game theory. I always find it fascinating to watch different pups discover different solutions to the same problem of how to get the toy they want.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, Montrose Dog Beach, puppy, chicago, adventure, dogs

Our Dalmatian pal is what I call a “fetch hoarder.”  

Rhodesian Ridgeback, Montrose Dog Beach, puppy, chicago, adventure, dogs

He’s one of those pups who desperately wants to play fetch but can’t bring himself to willingly let go of the ball

And you can’t blame the Dalmatian for his strategy, especially when his competition is Penny.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, Montrose Dog Beach, puppy, chicago, adventure, dogs

Penny employs her patented “Catch me if you can” strategy

In between the Dalmatian’s defensive strategy and Penny’s all out assault there’s still plenty of room for subtlety.

Rhodesian Ridgeback, Montrose Dog Beach, puppy, chicago, adventure, dogs

While Penny and the Dalmatian battled for the toy, Eko butters up the human with lots of affection

And surprise, surprise. Guess who got the toy next?

Rhodesian Ridgeback, Montrose Dog Beach, puppy, chicago, adventure, dogs

The guy faked his Dalmatian and Penny with a throw and then made an easy toss in the other direction for Eko

Rhodesian Ridgeback, Montrose Dog Beach, puppy, chicago, adventure, dogs

Sometimes the prize goes to the quick of mind rather than the quick of paws!

That said…

Rhodesian Ridgeback, Montrose Dog Beach, puppy, chicago, adventure, dogs

There’s no escaping Penny

So, when the game is on, what kind of strategist is your pet? A charging-Penny? A diplomat-Eko? Or another character entirely?

Comments for Game of Bones

  1. Victoria says:

    Rigby is a fetch hoarder – actually he is probably worse than that – i bought him a squeaky pumpkin toy and he carries it everywhere, when he eats he puts it down by his bowl and when he sleeps he sleeps on it – Muffin is the stuffy eviscerator and neither wants to share much but muffin will tease Rigby with a toy to get him to chase her.

  2. Easy is the GIVEITTOTHEWEIMARANER-type… he barks in his best falsetto voice, that’s a strong weapon :o) btw: Penny’s catch me if you can look is priceless!!!!!

  3. Kismet says:

    Kaci is a hoarder. She walks around with her prize in her mouth and won’t let go. Kali will drop anything at the sight of a critter.

  4. Lisette says:

    I throw the ball in the water, Kunya (9 year old rr lady) waits for a retriever-kind-of-dog to fetch the ball for her, then by returning to the beach demanding the other dog to give the ball back to her (The Stare). She happily brings the ball to me and…

  5. Dakota is one who wants to play but won’t let go of the ball lol. The hoarder!

  6. Eko has to be on his toes where Ms. Penny is concerned-clever boy that one! Sam always looks at the thrower like, “…and you expect me to do what now?” Not a fetch dog. Why fetch when you can get treats and attention without much work. 🙂

  7. Connie Taylor says:

    Riley loves his “frisbee” and when Bentley see’s it, she aggravates her brother till he drops it, and then she’s off to the races with her prize! There are times when I step in to tell Bentley to stop bothering her older brother. Just like two legged children wanting the same toy ⚾️

  8. coastingnz says:

    Love that first shot with Penny and the Dali – Penny’s face is more like “no, he’s the hoarder!” lol. Ziggy is a bit of a hoarder, you can’t take from his mouth he has to drop it and Nico loves to chase and catch but sometimes forgets to bring it back. He is a classic though for playing on his terms and will steal the toy off Ziggy – given the size difference and the fact Ziggy seems to be a little wiser with age, he lets his brother has it!

  9. Emmadog says:

    What a ton of wet fun! I have to say I am a bit jealous of all the water!

  10. Wendy says:

    Honey (Maltese x Shitzu) is definitely a ball hoarder. She will always bring the ball back to within a frustrating metre of the thrower and then enter into long winded negotiations for its return. Once she deigns to drop the ball Honey will completely turn her back on the thrower and point herself in a particular direction. If the ball is not thrown directly in front of her or if she looks away when you throw it Honey does not notice that the ball has been thrown and you have to retrieve it yourself. Playing fetch is not a favourite activity for Honey’s humans!

  11. Cupcake says:

    OMG, Penny! You look deranged in all your pictures. Mom says my fetch strategy is Furniture. I just sit there like a chair and watch the ball fly by. Then I wonder what she wants from me.

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

  12. Marcela says:

    Lol. Smart Eko. Penny as always being Penny:-)

  13. way to go Eko, the old guy wins in the end.

  14. How is it that we don’t know you! We posted about our visit to Montrose Dog Beach today and everyone asked if that’s the same place you go. Is it? We were in town visiting family and we went with Dolly the Doxie! Next time we’re in town, maybe we can all meet up there!
    Diane and Rocco Havanese

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