The afternoon sun hangs warm over the backyard, casting long shadows across the grass. You hear the familiar jingle of tags and the thud of paws on the ground before you even see him.

Buddy, your golden retriever, comes bounding around the side of the house, tongue flopping, tail wagging like crazy. He skids to a stop in front of you, drops a slobbery tennis ball at your feet, and looks up at you with those big, eager eyes.

"Bark bark!"

He crouches into a play bow, butt in the air, ready to go. The ball rolls slightly toward your shoe. Looks like someone wants to play fetch.

What do you do?

Backyard Companion