Playing ball at night

One thing we've learned about having a Golden: it's always time to chase a ball. First thing in the morning? Check! When you get home from work? Check! Five minutes after you finished? Check! Before you go to bed? Check!

Given the tendency for the ball to go over the fence, we acquired several balls so the games wouldn't have to stop in case the neighbor wasn't available to toss it back. Among the varieties, there was a glow-in-the dark ball. Sandy likes to hold it near a light bulb till it's glowing as bright as the moon! When you throw a glowing ball into the darkness, you see it bounce all around, and then suddenly disappear. This is the moment that Jenny catches the ball in her mouth.

The next moment is even better; you see this sort of half-moon, glowing object make it's way to you and the light. Only when it enters the lit area do you see that the shape is formed from being held in Jenny's mouth! (I tried to get a picture or video of this, but I don't have a good night time camera lens to detect this.)

The glowing balls also make it easier to know where Jenny is once she catches them. Before their arrival, we could only hear the rustling of grass and the banging of the ball against a fence. Now we can track her return to the porch, or see when she gets distracted in the yard. It has added a new dimension to playing ball at night.

Jenny, I love you. Thanks for playing ball all the time, even in the dark.