Have you ever had nothing? No place you could call your own, no possessions, no love.
And absolutely no idea about this thing called “playing with toys”.
As a first-world dog-mum, Missy bought me stuff when I arrived. A bed, which I loved, leash and collar which were my favourite, food that tasted great and toys.
I didn’t really know what to do with them.
She kept putting them next to me, so after a while I didn’t mind their smell but did understand their purpose either.
Then, 2 months after my arrival, I found a stick that looked safe, and very chewable. I picked it up shook it to get any bugs off, and was about to get down to business when Missy screamed:
“Mia, you’re playing!”
I wasn’t really but who am I to contradict my human?
Then a month later we were at a dog park, and a friendly dog brought me another nice stick.
“Here, I’ll show you what do,” she said, and shook the stick. She didn’t pay attention so I stole it.
Then she stole it back. It was fun. Sticks were fun!
Maybe that’s what this playing thing was about, having fun, I started to realise.
But the best thing was when I could involve Missy. When we pulled a stick, when she let me win (oh I’m aware!), or when we look for one together.
And when she throws them so that I can bring them back, it’s like she turns the sticks into birds, now that’s something, isn’t it.
Here’s to many more playtime, toys and fun!
Oh, yes, sticks are a lot of fun! My puppy, Mickey, loves sticks, a bit too much. The vet said he can chew them, but not swallow them. I’m not sure he understood that.
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