Golden Retrievers are all about the easy wins. Give them a familiar walk, the same old route, and one favorite toy, and they are basically set for life. Those little routines get so regular you stop noticing them, at least until something weird shows up and throws the whole pattern off.
For one family in California, that shift popped up on a normal outing when their dog suddenly slowed at a certain spot and started looking around. He made careful loops in the grass, checked along the curb, and shoved through the leaves with serious, locked-in determination.
They tried to coax him along, but he kept drifting back like he was sure he had left something important behind. And it was not a one-time thing. Rain or sunshine, weekday or weekend, he kept heading back to that exact place.
Weeks went by, and he still marched straight to that one location, clearly hoping to recover something he had once loved from an earlier adventure.
A Dog Holding On To Something Special
It was a typical day in the yard for Laura Krivisky and her Golden Retriever, Bruce, when she noticed his attention drifting again.
Soon she realized why. Bruce was searching for a ball he had lost weeks earlier. Each time he stepped into the yard, it became his first mission.
He always began his search the moment he was let outside. Sadly, he did not understand that the ball was gone for good. His owner found this habit both sweet and confusing.
Laura pointed out that Bruce has many other toys and balls, but something about this particular one kept him looking.
It might simply be that Bruce does not want to leave anything behind. As Laura explained, he accidentally dropped the ball from the balcony into a plant, but despite searching, nobody ever found it.
Now, this has become their daily routine. It is touching to see how much hope he shows while searching. Bruce even turns back to look at Laura, almost as if asking her to help him solve the mystery.
In cases like this, the easiest solution might be to find the same kind of ball, purchase it, and quietly place it in the yard. It would likely end the ongoing search.
What People Are Saying Online
After experiencing this routine many times, Laura decided to record her dog’s determined search.
She posted the video on her Instagram page. When it went viral, viewers rushed to share their sympathy and thoughts in the comments.
One person wrote: “I just don’t think you’ve tried hard enough for him. Put the phone down and find his ball!!!!!!”
Another viewer offered a similar idea: “Ummm…. Buy a new ball and put it there for him to find.”
Many people clearly had the same idea, and it seems to be the simplest answer. If this pattern continues, replacing the ball might be the most effective fix.
Someone else suggested: “Why don’t you try sticking a broom stick through the bushes and maybe it fall out from where it is stuck.”
Laura had already searched the area, but the ball remained missing. It is hard to know exactly what happened to it, yet it is likely gone for good.
Hopefully, Laura can resolve the situation soon. Until she does, she will continue sharing this funny and heartfelt routine with Bruce each time he heads into the yard.
A post shared by San Diego Bruce (@san_diego_bruce)
