Zoey was a Golden Retriever who I took care of for a couple of years.

The poor girl had been through a lot before I came into her life. One of her owners had recently passed away, and just a couple of weeks later, her pack mate passed too. Zoey and her dad were both grieving, trying to figure out what life looked like now. 

I didn’t walk Zoey. Every morning I’d come over, and we’d head out to her huge backyard to play. She loved chasing tennis balls, although bringing them back was more of a suggestion than a rule.

After we came inside, it was treat time, followed by snuggles on the couch.

One hot August day, we came in from playing and I took off my hat, setting it on the couch beside me. The moment Zoey saw it, she grabbed it and took off.

Instant zoomies.

She raced around the house, shaking my hat like it was the greatest new toy she’d ever seen.

I tried calling her over. Not happening.

The moment I stood up, the game officially began.She bolted into the bedroom and jumped onto the bed. I’d go to one side, she’d dart to the other. Back and forth we went. I was trying not to laugh… and failing miserably. The look in her eyes said it all. She knew exactly what she was doing.

Eventually the game lost its excitement. Zoey stretched out at the foot of the bed and, with a look that almost seemed to say, Okay… you can have it back now, she let me take my hat.

By then my eyes were watering from laughing.

She missed her couch snuggles that day. I don’t think she cared one bit.

Sadly, Zoey’s dad passed away not long afterward, and she moved to live with his niece. The last I heard, she was happy and doing very well in her new home.

Looking back, I sometimes wonder if that silly game wasn’t exactly what both of us needed that day. For a few minutes, in a house that had known a lot of sadness, there was nothing but laughter.