The Athleticism Of Dogs
Dogs can perform physical feats that often surprise us. They can do this because they are not self conscious and react naturally. Dogs are enthusiastic in the activities they enjoy. Most dogs love to play with balls and will chase balls and jump for balls as long as you are willing to throw the ball for them.
One of the favorite things the dogs at our dog boarding ranch enjoy is the afternoon tennis ball game around the pool. I am always amazed at how athletic the dogs are when they jump for the ball. The picture above is of Griffin, a German Short Haired Pointer. He is amazing because he can jump 5 or 6 feet into the air and often in a horizontal position. But even some of the stouter dogs can jump with some impressive ground clearance.
We also have some dogs that come stay with us that dive with great abandon into the pool when we toss the tennis ball into the pool. Corbey, a Golden Retriever, has an arc to his dive that shows a grace and form that is quite beautiful. He does not do this to show off - it is natural. And another Golden Retriever, Riley, dives into the pool like a torpedo - straight at the tennis ball - and with such accuracy that she can grab the ball in her mouth as her head and body submerge in the pool!
Thom McKinney / Tucson Adventure Dog Ranch
