January 6, 2009

I am a
Labrador Three-triever!

The tall guy said I must be a new kind of dog. Whenever we play ball, I will usually only chase it and bring it back 3 times. So, he said I was a Labrador Three-triever! I told him that by the time he had thrown it away 3 times and I brought it back, I have usually decided that if he wants to keep throwing it away, he can go get it for himself!

So if you would like to become a Labrador Three-triever (AKC breed registration pending), here's what you have to do:

1. Get really excited when the tall guy gets ready to throw the ball. But be careful, sometimes he pretends to throw it when he doesn't. Concentrate! Keep your eye on the ball!! It helps if you jump around and wag your tail a lot!


2. When he FINALLY does throw the ball, run like the dickens! (Note: Run like the DICKENS, not run like the CHICKENS - you would look awfully silly chasing after a ball if you were running like a chicken - unless you were running around like a chicken with its head cut off - then you would just be running in a circle and you would never be able to get the ball). (Note 2: The tall guy said this picture is blurry because I was running so fast. That's right - blame the subject!)


3. OOPS! Make sure you don't over-run the ball, cause then you have to turn around and you'll probably kick the ball with your back legs and then it will go who-knows-where and then you'll have to try to find it and it's just gonna be a big mess.


4. You've got the ball! Around this time the tall guy will usually scream and yell and tell you what a good job you did. Although you may be tempted, do not pretend like you do not know him. Just calmly take the ball back to him. Make sure your tail is held high as you return victorious! If you're in a playful mood, don't take the ball all the way back to the tall guy. Let HIM do some running for a change!


5. This is the most important step! This is where you become a Labrador Three-triever. After the tall guy has thrown the ball 3 times, do NOT go chasing it when he throws it again. Trust me, this is a hoot and a half (or sometimes even a hoot-and-three-quarters)! He has probably thrown it really far away, so you get to watch him walk all the way to get the ball. It is better if you just feign disinterest and look at a cloud or something. Oh, oh - look at that blade of grass!!


And there you have it. Once you have mastered the art of three-trieving, please have your mom or dad get in touch with me and I'll send you your certificate showing everyone that you are an Honorary Labrador Three-triever. Good luck!

(Note from the tall guy: I was just reading Jack's blog and notice that he is always VERY excited. At least that is what it would seem from his 'liberal' use of exclamation points. I think he used like 423 in this post alone. I'll see if I can't help him calm down when he's writing.)