Lonely, Abandoned Dog Learns To Focus Excitement Into Play Through Training and Love

Playing is not only a recreational activity that brings happiness through pleasure and enjoyment; it's also a vital approach in learning how to interact and manage both the world and those in it. For dogs, the excitement of wanting to chase a ball or chomp on a chew rope is seemingly internal, but when there is no one to play with, it can dash a dog's discovery of responsible social interaction. Time and time again, however, some exceptional humans step forward with the patience to show dogs how to "dog" and persuade pups like Cousin Greg to play in a better manner.Cousin Greg came into the care of the Richmond SPCA on January 12 from the King William Regional Animal Shelter in Central Virginia. Unfortunately, the two-year-old ball of energy was found abandoned. The veterinarians determined Cousin Greg didn't have heartworms, wasn't injured, and had eaten plenty to maintain his stout bowling ball frame. Therefore, his current caretakers believe he had a previous family.Story written by Alex Lemieux.