In this first installment of our new column on sharing our lives with companion animals, we are reminded to take time to play with our dogs.

Nature loves to play. We know that mammals and birds play, but there is also evidence that reptiles, fish, and even insects play. In the wild, play provides animals with an opportunity to develop strength, coordination, social skills, and communication. Domesticated animals reap the same benefits, plus play between people and their pets deepens the human-animal bond.

When we think about caring for our canine companions, most of us think about providing nutritious food , a comfortable place to sleep, and making sure we find time for a daily walk. But we sometimes forget about play, which is an important part of our dogs’ lives, and of our own.

Neurological research has shown that when rats are given the opportunity to play, they develop larger brains, have better memories, learn easier, and have more resistance to neurological diseases than rats not given the same opportunity. If we assume the same might be true for dogs, then playing with your dog could make him or her smarter, easier to train, and more likely to live a longer, healthier life. So get out there and play with your dog!

Playing Green with Ruff Wear Toys

There are a lot of great green dog toy companies out there, but one that really caught my eye is Ruff Wear. Ruff Wear reduces its impact on the environment by participating in a local renewable energy program; riding bikes to work; using recycled and sustainable materials; printing on FSC certified paper; and supporting the Conservation Alliance, which has contributed more than $7 million to grassroots conservation projects in North America.

This is clearly a very environmentally conscious company, but in order to find out if their toys were fun, I decided to let Spooner, my 82-pound German Shepherd, try out Ruff Wear’s dog toys. Our top three favorites were SquareBall™, Gourdo™, and Turnup™. All three are made from natural latex rubber (a renewable and sustainable resource), colored with organic dyes, and contain no toxic chemicals.

Natural rubber is virtually indestructible, which is an important feature when playing with larger dogs. All three rubber toys stood up to the wear and tear of Spooner’s impressive set of teeth, as well as to mud, water, thorny thickets, and other rough environments. As far as fun goes, both Spooner and I loved SquareBall. Its weight and unique design give it great momentum when thrown. It bounces all over the place, and has a hole in the center, for hiding treats.

Gourdo was another great fetching toy. The rope lanyard makes it easy to throw and offers a way to avoid touching the slobbery rubber end after Spooner has had his way with it. The rope also allows for a game of tug-of-war. The Turnup is compatible with most ball throwers, so that’s a great added value. Plus, its turnip-like shape causes it to bounce in all directions, similar to...