Tennis Balls, what you didn't know!

Tennis balls are extremely hard to recycle and the industry has yet to develop a ball to make that easier, nearly all of the 330 million balls made worldwide each year eventually get chucked in the garbage, with most ending up in landfills, where they can take more than 400 years to decompose. It's a situation highlighted by Grand Slam events like the US Open, which will go through nearly 90,000 balls over the course of the tournament. 

Efforts by nonprofits and others to go beyond just using old balls for dog toys and the bottom of chairs. That includes collecting balls in bulk and grinding them down into material that is used to make products including the footing for horse arenas and — in a bit of perfect symmetry — tennis courts. In our case we choose to let them live another life in dog parks and shelters.

National Fetch Day on the third Saturday in October! This holiday is all about celebrating our furry friends and encouraging them to get out and enjoy some quality time, whether it's at a park, beach or even your own backyard. The history of fetch dates back centuries and is said to have originated from a game of stick throwing between English lords during the 17th century. Today, fetch has become a popular way for dogs and their owners to spend time together outdoors. So grab your pooch, a stick or ball and head outside for some fun! 

Look at it: If the ball is all dirty and you notice change of the color and the look, that ball is probably overused.  Feel it: A dead ball loses partially or completely its fluff and becomes flat.  Squeeze it: a dead ball loses the inside pressure and becomes easily deformed by slight pressure using your hands. Bounce it: A fresh ball bounces really high compared to a dead ball. The latter wouldn’t bounce to reach your waist. However, when old balls lose all their fluff, they become once again bouncier and you can use them on the wall or for a practice session.

You don’t have to throw out all of your dog’s tennis balls. Instead, make sure that your dog only has access to his tennis balls during supervised play sessions.  Work with your dog to make sure that tennis balls never become part of a game of “keep away.”  

The old wives tale "Tennis Balls are bad for dogs" has been put to bed.  Tennis balls are a classic, time-tested toy for dogs that can provide hours of fun and excitement for your pup. A simple game of fetch is great fun for a dog, it will improve their fitness and also build an unbreakable bond of trust and friendship with their owner. Play responsibly, never leave a dog with a new toy or ball unattended.