Excited yips pierce the air. At the entrance of the dog park, Gretchen, our 7 month old German Shepherd mix is beside herself with anticipation. I have the coveted chucker in my hand, and she loves chasing the tennis ball.

Her leash is tucked securely in my pocket. I don’t need it, as long as I have the tennis ball chucker, she gives me her undivided attention. Inside the enclosure, Jake, her buddy waits anxiously. He wants to run and Gretchen gives him that opportunity. She flies after that ball. Jake, is a gentle golden retriever just under 2 years old. His owner Pam has been recently diagnosed with brain cancer. He lets her know when seizures are immenient. But right now, his focus is on Gretch.

I fling the ball into the enclosure, and although the two gates to the dog park are open, Gretchen does a complete, all out run around the entire outside of the dog park. Her head is low, her ears are tucked back and her tail helps propel her as she runs. As usual, she captures everyones attention when she runs. One dog owner comments “You should have named her torpedo.”

The only time I hear those excited yips is just prior to our entrance into the dog park. She chases the ball until she drops and dogs can come and go during the ball time, she pays them no mind. Her concentration is on the ball.