Wickedness Never Was Happiness

Lucy has just a bit of OCD.  For the most part she is the most amazing dog.  Her one passion, she loves to fetch.  She can't get enough of it.  On average we do three sessions of 50 to 75 fetches a day.  A fetch is a throw from corner to corner in our yard diagonally. Who ever invented the Chucker is a genius. 

When we are done outside she brings the inside ball to us continually all day long and will patiently wait for us to toss it across the room.  Yes, we do play ball in the house.  And yes I have been known to hit a person or two, sorry.  Lucy will patiently wait for five, ten, 45 minutes, whatever it takes for that next moment of fetching bliss.  On occasion her patience grows thin and she'll pick up the ball that was laying at your feet and place it on your lap.  If that doesn't work after a moment or two she'll help you out by placing it in your hand. She must dream of fetching.  When she awakens in the morning she hurries to wherever the ball was left the night before and with a smile on her face gives you the ball. (As much as we love her, there is more to life for us than fetching.  This is one reason Ricky has joined our family.)

We have to discern when she's getting close to her limit for a particular fetching period.  If we aren't careful she'll keep the tennis ball and  refuse to give it up.  She's been known to hold on to the ball for six or seven hours without letting go to drink, eat or sleep.  She knows it's wrong and she feels miserable the whole time.  She whines and wants to cuddle or be near you.  She is very conflicted.  We're working with her, but it's just better to quit while you're ahead.

 Notice tucked tale.

 Isn't she pitiful. She stayed there for hours.