New York Family Thought Their Golden Retriever’s Tennis Ball Habit Was Just A Funny Quirk
When a Golden Retriever named Finley started gathering multiple tennis balls in his mouth, his New York family thought it was just a funny quirk. They soon realized his playful habit was actually a record-breaking talent.
A Mouthful Of Joy
Finley doesn’t just chase tennis balls; he collects them. When the throwing stops, his real work begins in the backyard.
He will wander around the grass, gathering up every ball he can find. Instead of bringing them back to be thrown again, he simply holds them all in his mouth at once.
With his cheeks puffed out and his tail wagging, Finley loves to prance around the yard. According to his owner, Sherry, he looks incredibly proud of his fuzzy collection.
Playing Catch With Himself
Finley is perfectly capable of keeping himself entertained. If his family is busy doing chores, he knows exactly how to pass the time.
Sherry often tells him to go lie down, and he happily obliges. He heads to the side of the yard, usually with multiple tennis balls already secured in his jaws.
Then, he rolls onto his back and drops the balls into his own mouth. It looks exactly like he is playing a solitary, joyful game of catch with himself.
The Camera-Shy Collector
Most of the time, Finley easily holds four or five balls at once. However, getting him to show off this impressive skill for the camera is quite a challenge.
Sherry often spots him out the window with a completely full mouth. She will rush outside with her camera to capture the moment, but the clever dog usually drops them as soon as she appears.
Because he only does it when he feels like it, capturing his ultimate achievement took patience. Eventually, the family confirmed that the most balls he ever held at one time was six.
Challenging A World Record
Seeing Finley with six tennis balls in his mouth made Sherry’s daughter, Erin, pause. She realized they had never seen another dog do anything quite like this in their entire lives.
Erin decided to do some research to see if Finley’s quirky talent was actually a record-breaking feat. She soon discovered that a Guinness World Record already existed for this exact skill.
The title belonged to another Golden Retriever who lived in Texas. That impressive pup held the record for fitting five tennis balls in his mouth at once.
The Long Road To Recognition
Knowing Finley could hold six, Erin knew they had to make it official. Around the end of 2017, she started contacting the people at Guinness World Records.
Proving a quirky animal record is no easy task. The family had to gather evidence, submit their findings, and wait patiently for the organization to review Finley’s impressive talent.
The process took more than three years of back-and-forth communication. Finally, the family received the news they had been hoping for all along.
An Official Neighborhood Celebration
In May of 2020, Finley’s official Guinness World Record certificate arrived in the mail. The family was thrilled that their sweet dog was finally recognized for his unique ability.
To celebrate his new title, they decided to throw a special event. They hosted a party for Finley, inviting all the other neighborhood dogs to join in the fun.
Despite his new fame, Finley remained the same happy, ball-obsessed pup. He still pranced around the yard, eager to show off his fuzzy prizes to anyone who would watch.
Indoor Rules And Stuffed Toys
While tennis balls are his absolute favorite, Finley knows they belong outside. He is a very respectful dog who understands the rules of the house.
Whenever Sherry opens the door for him to come inside, Finley immediately drops whatever ball he is carrying. He knows that his indoor playtime involves completely different toys.
Inside the house, he is allowed to play with his stuffed animals. He happily trades his outdoor tennis balls for his soft, indoor companions.
Loyal To The Throw
Finley’s dedication to his toys goes beyond just hoarding them. He is incredibly loyal to the specific ball that is currently in play.
If Sherry throws a ball and it gets stuck in the bushes, Finley will refuse a substitute. Even if Sherry offers him a brand-new ball, he has absolutely no interest in it.
He demands the exact ball that was thrown, sometimes even climbing up onto the bushes to retrieve it himself. His focus and determination are entirely unbreakable.
A Gentle And Patient Friend
Despite his obsession, Finley is never aggressive about his toys. He regularly enjoys playdates with a dog named Frankie, who visits the house two days a week.
Sometimes, Frankie will playfully steal a ball right from Finley’s mouth. Instead of getting upset or barking, Finley simply sits down and waits patiently for his turn.
He shows the same patience when a ball accidentally lands on the pool cover, an area he knows he isn’t allowed to touch. He just sits at the edge of the water, waiting for someone to help, proving that this world-record holder is also the gentlest boy around.
