About 1.7 seconds into meeting Tucker, you’ll know he is some kind of Terrier. From his wiry fur — which acts like Velcro, attracting every leaf, burr, and scent the dog encounters — to his old-man beard and eyebrows, his appearance is unmistakably Terrier.

If you need confirmation, just say the word “ball” and his obsession will become instantly apparent. I actually have to spell the word out in front of him. I am beginning to think he knows what the letters mean, though, and I’ve begun referring to the object in question as “the orb of exhaustion,” partly so he won’t know what I’m talking about but also because Tucker will chase that thing until his tongue is hanging out past his knees if I let him.

As long as there’s a willing human with an available throwing arm, Tucker will pester until his goal is accomplished — many times over. And if there is no ball in sight, he’ll run after Frisbees and sticks as well. You throw it, he’ll retrieve it, wagging his ropey tail on the way back with his prize and anticipating the next throw.

When he’s not hunting down inanimate objects, Tucker will chase nearly anything that moves, including evil squirrels, marauding rabbits, and treacherous chipmunks who escape under the garden shed.

Do you speak Meow in addition to Woof? Check out Haiku by Cat on our sister site, Catster.

Read more Haiku by Dog:

• For National Haiku Poetry Day, We Interview the Dogs!
• Jasper Likes to Relax, Except When He’s on Duty
• Introducing Haiku by Dog: Poetry Created by Canines

About the author: Susan C. Willett is a writer, photographer, and blogger whose award-winning original stories, photography, poetry, and humor can be found at Life With Dogs and Cats. She lives in New Jersey with three dogs and four cats (all rescues) and at least a couple of humans — all of whom provide inspiration for her work. Refusing to take sides in the interweb’s dogs vs. cats debate, Susan enjoys observing the interspecies interaction among the varied inhabitants of her home — like living in a reality TV show, only furrier. In addition to Life With Dogs and Cats, you can find more Lilah, Jasper, and Tucker (and the rest of the gang) on Haiku by Dog™, Haiku by Cat™, and Dogs and Cats Texting.