The dog may eat your homework but he should never eat a World Series ball

Given my chosen profession as a dog trainer I love a good dog story in the news, but this one almost broke my heart.

ESPN is reporting a dog belonging to Jonathan Papelbon - the Boston Red Sox's World Series clinching closing pitcher - ate the baseball from the final out of the 2007 World Series.

Now, my dogs have eaten enough things in their day.  Just the other day they stole a few apples off the counter while I was out of the house.  My fault entirely, as I left them where they could be reached.  And my dogs have been known to steal Girl Scout cookies from a closed pantry.  But something as important as the ball thrown during the final out of the Sox's second Series win in four years? 

What the heck happened Jon?

"My dog ate it," Papelbon reported to the Hattiesburg American. "He plays with baseballs like they are his toys. His name is Boss. He jumped up one day on the counter and snatched it. He likes rawhide. He tore that thing to pieces."

"I'll keep what's left of it."

Well, yeah.  Of course you'll keep what's left of it, dog slobber or no dog slobber.  I almost licked the crumbs of those Girl Scout cookies that were left on my floor, I'm sure you'll keep the chewed hide of the ball.  But those cookies were left on a fairly high shelf in a pantry (that my dogs are clever enough to open).  What I'd really like to know is why the ball was on a counter where the dog could reach it.  Bad dog owner.  Bad, bad, bad...

So, to one Jonathan Papelbon - I'm offering my services as a trainer to you.  Given my history I certainly know what it's like to mess up and leave my dogs in a situation where they have no choice but to be naughty.  However, it only took one chewing of my shoes to train my dogs to never, ever touch Mommy's pretty things.  I can help you too.  And it won't even involve a shock collar... For the dog.  You might be a different story.  I mean, really.  Who's the "Boss" in your house?

Do you think the ball will be worth slightly less now?

Comments

[heather]

See our dogs ate my birth control pills and a bar of soap. I'd put nothing past them.

[Julie Pippert]

Oh that's too bad!!!

Julie
Using My Words
http://theartfulflower.blogspot.com

[Mac and Cheese]

I'm glad even you can't stop your dogs from taking stuff off the counter. I've been feeling like the biggest loser in the world of dog training.

[Katie]

Where do I go to train my HUSBAND not to leave stuff where the dogs can get it? Although there have been days I would've happily stapled my boxers tongue to the floor if I'd've thought that would help.

[margalit]

You're offering yourself as a TRAINER? Oh come on now. We all has seen Papelbon. You're not going to be training his dog, you wicked woman, you! :-)

This, btw, is the saddest story ever. I don't know what kind of dog Boss is, but he obviously needs a bit of help not stealing stuff from the counter.

What I wouldn't do to be Papelbon's dog.

[Fairly Odd Mother]

One would think that he may have put the baseball in a safe or at least in a protected spot? Geesh.

[Major Bedhead]

How the heck did I miss this story?

Can I come help you drool, I mean, assist in the training? Can we play some Dropkick Murphys while we're doing the drooling? I mean, training? Pretty please?

You'd think Jonathan Papelbon would maybe own a little trophy case or something. Y'know, maybe have a room for his baseball swag. He should maybe think about building one....

[Manic Mommy]

Did the Red Sox learn nothing from the Mientkiewicz ball incident? I would think that the one thing an organization full of men could keep track of is their balls!

Bad, Pap! Bad!

[Mom101]

My heart went in my throat when I read the headline.

But then I saw it happened to a Red Sox player and was like, eh...

[mothergoosemouse]

You know I'll take the Sox over the Yankees anyday, but I can't help giggling at this story. Leave it to a dog.