Why I Only Want the Stick You Have (Even Though There’s 100 More)

Why Dogs Want The One Stick You’re Holding (And Not the 99 Others)

Hoomans, gather round. Let's have a little bark-to-heart about one of life’s biggest mysteries: why, out of an entire paddock of perfectly good sticks, we dogs only want the one you’re holding. Not the ones on the ground, not the one you just threw and I ignored — that one. The sacred stick of stickdom. Why? Let me break it down for you in true Thor fashion (and no, it's not just because I'm a dramatic Rottie with a flair for the theatrical — okay maybe a little).

It’s Not About the Stick, It’s About the Status

There could be a hundred sticks in the paddock, but you picked that one. That makes it special. It’s like if someone gave you a tray of biscuits but said, “This one was made by Nanna.” Don’t lie, you’d eat that one first. Same logic. When you pick it up, wave it around, or *gasp* give it to another dog, you’ve slapped a big ol’ spotlight on it. That stick’s now celebrity-tier, hooman.

Limited Edition = Maximum Desire

Once you’ve got it in your hand, it’s officially scarce. We dogs live by a little something I like to call “treat logic.” If it’s in the treat jar, it’s good. If it’s in your hand, it’s better. If it’s in another dog’s mouth, it’s THE BEST THING IN THE WORLD. Scarcity equals value. You can thank economics or just doggy-level jealousy. Either way — we want what someone else has.

Hooman Attention Makes It Magical

You know how you gawk at your phone like it holds the secrets to the universe? That’s how we see the stick when you pay it attention. You're holding it, throwing it, giggling... making memories with that stick! You touch it with your magical hooman hands. That makes it sacred. It now smells like your car, your hand lotion, and cheese. Must. Have. It.

It’s Also a Little Bit of Competition, Let’s Be Real

The second you act like something’s important, our inner fetch champions kick in. We dogs are natural competitors: give us a challenge, we’ll sprint after it, no questions asked. Don't act like you haven’t seen me outrun that Border Collie for YOUR stick. That's right, Susan. Thor wins again. 🐾

What About All the Other Sticks?

Yeah, okay, there are other sticks. A whole forest of them. But let me ask you: if someone handed you a shopping trolley full of TV remotes and said, “Pick one,” and then picked one themselves... which remote would suddenly be the most interesting? Exactly. That’s what I thought.

Hooman Translations: The Lessons You’re Missing

Now here’s where I flip the stick (pun intended). You hoomans do this too. You’ll scroll past 87 fridge magnet quotes online until one gets posted by someone you like. Suddenly it means something. Or you won’t finish a book until your mate says, “Ohmydog this chapter changed my life.” Then you’re speed reading like a psycho on a deadline.

We dogs don’t make the rules. We just sniff ‘em out faster.

Stick Desirability Checklist (Thor-Tested)

• Is a hooman holding it? 10/10 must-fetch energy
• Did you throw it once already? Better than bacon
• Is another dog sniffing it? I MUST HAVE IT
• Is it completely ordinary except for your interest? Classic hooman psychology, still works on Rottweilers

Embrace the Fetch Game, But Don’t Overthink It (Like You Always Do)

Hoomans are funny. You think we’re being silly chasing the same stick when there’s a hundred more — but you do it with technology, trends, and relationships. You chase what others highlight, hold up, or make hard to get. Sound familiar? Yeah, I see you, Karen. Still hung up on that ex from dog-knows-when.

So next time I ignore every stick except the one you’ve got, don’t get your leash in a knot. I’m just doing what hoomans do — wanting what looks special, smells interesting, and most importantly, gets your attention. And if you give it to another pup... well, game on. Let the bark-off begin!

Stay cheeky and keep throwing that stick,

Thor 🐾