Whenever Ken Fryer takes his dog Willow for a walk, chances are good she'll find at least one softball.
Fryer and Willow enjoy walking past the Lumberman's Park and Robinson Park baseball fields on their way to the dog park. Over the last few years, Willow, a short-haired border collie, has gotten into the habit of retrieving lost balls from the woods and bushes behind the ball diamonds. So far this year Fryer said she has already retrieved 65 balls.
"When we're going to go for a walk my wife Sue will say to her 'where do you want to go, the land of grass-dwelling softball or tall timbers'?" Fryer said. "When I take her down to the ball diamonds I'll throw a stick into the bush and if she can't find it she'll come out with a ball. Then I'll make like I throw the ball and she goes tearing off in there and will come out with another ball. I came home with eight, one day."
This isn't the first time Fryer, a resident of the community for the last 44 years, has owned a dog with a talent for retrieving missing balls. Before Willow, Fryer said his dogs Tess and Whisper both enjoyed hunting for missing softballs as well. Willow picked up the habit just last year and now at three is a regular ball finder.
No training was required, Fryer remarked. All he has to do is tell Willow to "go find a ball" and she'll do so with little problem. He noted she is a good companion and doesn't pay too much attention to other dogs, so he's comfortable allowing her to roam around without a leash on walks.
"She's good. She's not vicious, just a friendly dog," Fryer remarked. "She's good with other people and is a great companion. She goes wherever I go and if I don't take her, she'll pout all day."
With baseballs costing around $10, Fryer said he makes sure to return the balls to the South Cariboo Softball Association who are always happy to receive the balls. He noted they do their best to find their own balls hit out of the park but don't have a nose for it like his dog.
"It's good and helps everyone out. Willow is doing her job," Fryer said. "(Dogs) want to do something, all the time."
