Sage had tried everything from treats to toys to gentle talking.
The dog didn’t give a fuck about anything or anyone.
But today, his head picked up and he watched me as I bounced the ball.
“Huh,” Sage said. “Try throwing it.”
“At him? Or near him? What?”
“Uh.” She paused. “Maybe just near him. See if he goes for it.”
I did, not quite hitting him, but getting really close to him.
The ball landed next to his feet and he watched it roll to a stop.
Not quite touching him, but if he reached, he could get to it.
The ball came to a stop and Neo watched it.
He picked his gaze up to watch us, then back down to the ball.
He did this for several seconds before he finally settled on us.
Sage and I started talking about the next steps with him. But as we spoke, not giving Neo any attention, he started to creep closer and closer to the ball.
The more we talked and “ignored him” the closer he got until he had the ball between his paws.
“Aces,” she whispered.
My lips twitched and I held out my hand for the coffee cup that she’d almost drained.
She handed it to me, and I went inside with Sage following behind me.
The moment she closed the door, we both watched in surprise as Neo got up and started to try to pick up the ball.
The ball was too big to fit in his muzzle, so all he ended up doing was chasing it around the yard.
Sage sniffled.
“He’ll get there, Herb,” I promised.
She cleared her throat. “Do you think so?”
Before I could answer, the doorbell sounded.
Neo laid down flat, ears pinned back, and glared at the house.
He’d heard the doorbell, too.
A doorbell meant visitors.
And he didn’t like visitors or surprises.
I looked at the door.
“Aren’t you going to get that?” she asked.
“I have a gate,” I grumbled. “Whoever is on the other side of that door isn’t someone I want here.”