Most people don't realize how important play is to Canine beings like me. Play is a natural behavior for us. We play for social interaction (humans should do more of this -- most of you are too uptight). We play to improve our hunting skills. If you deprive us of play opportunities you will find that we become bored, frustrated and often develop behavioral problems.

What I really hate to see is my brothers and sisters who spend their whole lives in a backyard, or even worse, in a "doggie-run." I don't know why humans call this a doggie-run. We can't run in there. Maybe humans can because most of you are out-of-shape. To us, doggie runs are like jail cells. We aren't used to this lifestyle. Even a backyard is too small if that is all the room we ever get.

Think about it, how would you like to spend your entire life in a house looking through the windows at the world or in a backyard. The problem is that most humans don't think we are smart. We are highly intelligent. We need more stimulation than this. I'm just not intelligent like you. Part of the problem is that we don't have hands -- and we don't have thumbs. Therefore, we can't work with tools like people do.

This means that I'll never build a house or write a story, but I'll also never shoot someone with a gun or pollute the air driving around in those things you all call cars. Personally, I would rather walk or run than drive.

This is why play is so important to us. Play keeps us in shape. It also helps us to develop social relationships and social skills with other pets and humans. If you give me objects to play with such as balls or toys, you help satisfy my need for "chase, capture, chew." I really like to chase leaves as they blow in the wind. This is a lot of fun. They're fast and unpredictable. My favorite game, though, is to go to the park (see Parks) and play chase with other pups.

I've noticed that some humans don't understand our need to play. They get upset if we are off our leash. How can we play if we are on some rope? Come watch me at the park. I usually go there every afternoon -- I am really lucky to have a family that understands me. I don't bother the humans. I don't understand why some humans say they are afraid of me. I don't bite. I'm really nice. In fact, I usually prefer to avoid humans (see People). They kind of scare me. They're unpredictable. One minute they're talking sweet to you, the next minute they're putting you in a cage or yelling at you. Sometimes they smile at you and even talk nice. When you come up to say hello they kick you in the ribs -- OUCH!

This is why you'll see me at the park looking for other canines to play with. I just want someone to run with me, chase me and have fun with me. My family is great, but I still need to play with my own kind. Humans just aren't fast enough. You only have two legs, and you can't do all the things we can. It just isn't the same.

I see many pets that are well-cared for physcially yet who live in an impoverished environment. They may eat well, be clean and well-groomed, but they don't have any toys. Engaging toys create an environmentally rich life for us. This can prevent or even cure behavioral problems. An engaging toy safely meets our needs to chase, capture and chew. One of my favorites is the KONG toy. You can email them or visit their Web site. I'm glad I have a KONG toy. My family puts peanut butter inside. It is fun to try to get it out.

Another toy I really like is the Buster® FoodCube. I got this for my birthday (see Profile). I like this toy because it exercises my brain. When I was a pup, I learned to sit properly. I learned to "high five" and speak. My family always takes me on walks and to the park, but when they are gone they leave the Cube. Before, I used to idle the day away doing nothing at all (well, I admit I used to chew whatever I could find or dig holes. Wow, did I get in trouble for that!) .

The Cube challenges me mentally. It helps me to develop my intelligence because it's a puzzle -- it makes me use what's inside my head. Vets warn that inactive and poorly stimulated dogs easily turn into dogs that have behavioral problems -- you should see the two dogs next door. They are perfect examples. They are really nice deep down, but they live either in their doggie run or, at best, in the backyard. I'm so glad that my family gives me more. But these two are trouble. Sometimes they bark for hours, and they can be mean. This gives all canines a bad name. Do you know how annoying their barking can be? It drives me crazy. Remember that I have much better hearing than you. People say it bothers them -- it is ten times worse for me. I wish someone would give them enriching toys, take them on walks or let them play at a park. If you want more information about the FoodCube, call 1-800-565-BOWL.