“I promise I’m not mean … “
Anni Cummings welcomed her dog, Mojo, into her life in 2022. Although they bonded right away, she quickly noticed Mojo was uneasy around strangers. While Cummings isn’t sure what caused Mojo’s social anxiety, she suspects it stemmed from something he experienced before arriving at the shelter.
A few years later, after moving into a new home with her boyfriend, they observed Mojo barking at passersby near their front yard. It wasn’t out of aggression — Mojo was simply frightened. Determined to help him feel more comfortable, Cummings brainstormed solutions and finally hit upon an idea: tennis balls. Fetch was Mojo’s absolute favorite game, and when he was playing, his anxiety seemed to vanish completely.
Inspired, Cummings hung a bucket of tennis balls on their fence along with a note that read, “I promise I’m not mean. Just throw the tennis ball and we will be friends!”
She hoped strangers would read the message and give Mojo a chance. Within just 20 minutes, someone took a ball — and ended up playing fetch with Mojo for an entire hour.
Today, Mojo has become a local star. Neighbors of all ages — kids, dog walkers, even postal carriers — love tossing the ball for him. Beyond the neighborhood, Mojo has also gained a devoted online following, with fans worldwide eager to see him play.
“If I saw this on my way to work, I’d definitely be late,” one viewer commented on Cummings’ TikTok.
“Where do you live? I’m booking my flight,” joked another.
Maybe other owners of shy dogs can learn from Cummings’ clever approach. Sometimes, all it takes to transform a nervous pup into a joyful companion is a simple tennis ball.