Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1876 — A Dog that Plays Ball. [ARTICLE]

A Dog that Plays Ball.

The Rainbow Fire Company’s large white spaniel, “ Rainey,” is probably one of the most expert dogs at ball-catching in the country . He is a heavy , well-built animal, white, shaggy coat, sharp, yellow eyes, long ears, intelligent expression, and passionately fond of lively fun. Among the animal’s specialties is ballcatching, day or night. An exhibition was given recently of his remarkable activity, instinct and expertness. A person stood off twenty yards, threw up a ball, and the dog caught it in his mouth as it came down. Thu was repeated a number of times with equal success. Then the ball was thrown with force so as to strike the ground and bound. It was then picked up by the dog in his teeth on the short bound, and promptly returned to the person who threw it Chasing a hard thrown, ball in the night and finding it in the dark is an accomplishment the dog is well up in.. At times he is thwarted for several minutes, but he goes over the ground thoroughly, and never gives up until he finds the Dali. The ball is then placed on his back. One, two are counted, and instead of three, four, six, eight or ten are substituted, but the dog won’t jump and catch the ball as it rolls off his back until the word three is pronounced. Quick as thought he will jump around and grab the object firmly in his teeth. Sometimes he will muff a ball the same as the best of men playing, and none are so good but they’ll drop them sometimes. When the dog misjudges a ball it generally comes down square on his nose. He never gets tired, but will keep on pl&vltfg as long as there is anybody to keep up the sport with him.— leading (flq Eagle. Man is an animal that bargains. No other animal does. No dogs exchange bones. ‘ 7-