Emmy and Jude while Bean sits and watches the other dogs run after their discs.
Stevie greets me with a smile. “I was about to show them what Bean has learned.”
“It’s pretty amazing,” I tell the others.
“Let’s see what you and Bean got,” Jude says to Stevie with a smile. I study him for a second. He’s a good-looking dude, fit with a lot of thick dark hair. He’s shorter than me, but only by a few inches.
Stevie pulls a peanut butter packet out of her pocket, tears it open and lets Bean sniff it, then she rubs a bit of butter on the edge of the disc. “I came up with this idea to get Bean interested in the disc even when it wasn’t mealtime. It worked pretty well.”
She holds the disc in front of Bean’s nose, and when she’s sufficiently focused, spins it about six feet away. Bean runs after it and licks the peanut butter off.
“Pick it up, Beanie,” Stevie says. “Pick it up!”
After a second, Bean does.
“Okay, come back!” Stevie says. When Bean doesn’t obey, Stevie gently tugs on the long lead she’d bought this week on Emmy’s advice, and Bean trots back, looking proud.
Jude claps and Emmy smiles brightly. “That’s amazing progress for one week.”
Stevie rubs Bean’s head. “I think she really enjoys it.”
“She’s ready for training, phase two,” Jude says.
“What’s phase two?” Stevie tilts her head and pushes her hair out of her face where it fell when she leaned over to pet Bean. I wish I wasn’t so aware of her little movements like that.
“More of what you’re already doing. Keep throwing the disc for her with the lead on,” he says. “Start short and then throw it a little farther each time. While you’re at it, you can work on your throw.”
Stevie wrinkles her nose. “Am I that bad?”
Jude shakes his head and answers quickly. “No, not at all.”
Emmy raises an eyebrow as Stevie and I smirk at the obvious lie.
“Everyone can use some work on throws,” he clarifies. “I’ll give you a few pointers now, if you want.”
Stevie smiles. “Thanks, Jude. Sounds great.”
Emmy glances at me as they walk off. “Want to help me work out with Meadow?” She leads me over to the group where her dog sits unleashed, calmly watching the other dogs run around.
“I can’t believe how well trained she is,” I say.
Emmy snatches an errant disc rolling toward us. She spins it smoothly back to the person, who yells thanks and immediately throws it for their dog. I think that pair was here last week, but I’m not sure.
“Meadow is like a short human with four legs and a fur coat,” she says as she calls her over. “I’ve never really had to reward her with treats or food; she seems to know what I’m asking for and does it.” She smiles at me. “Although, I do give her treats, of course. I mean, what kind of life would it be for a dog without treats?”
At the barest hint of a whistle, Meadow hustles over to her mistress. Emmy grabs a disc out of her backpack. “Ready to work, girl?”
The border collie wags her tail, her eyes fixed on the disc. Emmy steps up to the rope line, turns so her body is sideways and spins the disc, a smooth gesture that sends it flying straight and true and parallel to the ground. Meadow launches herself after it.
The dog doesn’t have to leap to catch the frisbee; she collects it easily in her mouth at the end of its flight and runs back to offer it to Emmy.
“Wow. Clearly pros,” I say.
“We’ve been doing this for years but thank you. I’m proud of her. Do you want to throw a few for her?” Emmy asks.
“Yeah, definitely. Although my throw won’t look like yours.”
She hands me the disc. “It doesn’t have to. The dogs should get used to all kinds of throws and catches, and it’s important for them to practice them in training.”
“Good thing,” I joke, “because this might end up in the lake.”
Emmy rubs Meadow’s head and tilts her own at me. “Luckily for you, she’s a good swimmer, too.”
I take the disc. As I weigh it in my hand, prepared to not humiliate myself, I glance over at Stevie and Bean.
Jude stands close behind her, his dark head close to her blonde one, his arm wrapped around her, their hands together on the disc. Slowly, their hands and arms extend. My eyes narrow and my muscles