Wednesday 8 June 2011

Pleasure in small things


Flossie is a typically ball-obsessed labrador. She finds so many when she's out that I can't remember the last time I had to buy one. 

When we left the house early this morning, Flossie was carrying her old ball. Not much bounce left in it, but just right for the river: not so light that it floats away, and not so heavy that it sinks.


Flossie isn't so particular. She knows that balls are often to be found on the riverbank or caught up in shallower stretches of water.

This was her first find of the morning. The old ball was discarded in favour of this glossy new football.



It just needed a little tooth-piercing to make it easier to carry.


It made a great swimming toy.


And drew the attention of others until they realised it was not to be shared. Flossie never shares balls!




Tosca doesn't care for a ball. She plods along, avoiding balls, bouncing dogs, and any risk of getting wet.



But then another, smaller ball was discovered....


And another. Which to choose?


The bright blue one, of course. But it made a surprising POP! when pierced.


Rather disappointing, really. Flossie decided to go on without a ball at all. The undergrowth held too many exciting scents, and carrying a large ball interfered with following them.


Until we reached the place where the first ball had been discarded.


Hurrah! Filthy, battered, but still Flossie's own.


Then home to be met by Millie.


And the ball added to the collection parked on the shed roof, waiting for the next walk.


It's a simple life, but a joyous one.

20 comments:

John said...

Sort of like a metal detector, that dog.

flwrjane said...

The Ball Thief, coming soon to a theater near you.

xo jane

Anonymous said...

I like John's analogy, you do have quite a collection. May I put in a request for a close-up of Lottie please?

Arthur Ransome said...

Thanks for bringing a smile to these old Scottish lips.

Dan said...

I wonder if anyone reads your blog and thinks 'that's my ball, I was wondering where it went.' It's amazing how many you can find on walks!
Dan
-x-

judy in ky said...

Tell Flossie I am a big fan of hers. Her sense of fun looks infectious.
How is Scooter doing?

Anonymous said...

Perhaps you should take her to the golf course to find lost balls - then you could sell them back to the golfers! I had to scroll back a couple of times to look at the golden cocker spaniel - so like our lovely Honey, that we still miss after all these years!!

Noelle the dreamer said...

They look so happy! And what a pleasure to "walk" along with all of you on this little Nature hike!
Thanks for sharing!

jabblog said...

I recognise so much of this tale:-)

the veg artist said...

I'd like her outlook on life. I'm more of a Tosca - risk averse, avoiding things, just wanting to go home. Flossie lives for the fun of the moment, and I envy her.

Maggie Christie said...

What a lovely short story about a walk in the life of a dog. It had all the vital ingredients - good beginning, excitement in the middle, a surprise (pop!) and then the dénouement. Perfect.

Joan said...

Thank you for all the lovely photos--I felt as if I was on the walk with you. How cooling the water looked! It is 40C in Ottawa today with the humidity. No walk for me here!

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Mountain Rescue would love Flossie .Though she might have to learn not to puncture victims , when found .

Juanita said...

What a charming story! This made me smile from ear to ear like the Cheshire cat (just much, much less scary) :)

Anonymous said...

All smiles here too, just delightful!

MLou said...

Your park looks beautiful. I love the stones across the stream. The ball dog story reminds me of the king charles spaniel we used to have. We lived next to a golf course and he found a few golf balls on every walk...winter or summer.

Lesley said...

Swooon. You're just feeding my girl crush on Flossie!

My 2 do the same but with sticks....pick one up, love it, chase it, eat it (despite my injunctions not to), find another, presumably better, stick and repeat...

Gotta love 'em

Susan said...

big smiles and many giggles
here at Black Street

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

I just hate it when blogger does this! I definitely replied to this and my reply was particularly trenchant, kind and witty. Sadly can't remember what it was so can't replicate.

Marcheline said...

Allow me to be the only geek who points out that the first ball was a basketball. Thank you. Carry on.

8-)

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