Dog versus ball

Here in Park City, Jasper and I have a ritual to start the day. He gets fed and then patiently waits for Julie and I to finish our breakfast and the newspaper. Then we head up the mountain for some exercise.

The favorite toy is a big red ball on a rope. He can grab the rope and swing the ball in circles.



Sometimes he gets the ball.



Sometimes the ball gets him.



Once he tires of solo ball whirling, we proceed to the traditional fetching.



He just seems to do it faster than I can.



By 8:00 o'clock most mornings, Jasper has burned off enough calories to mellow him out for a few hours. Then he's ready to go again.