In dog news we could all use, a six year old golden retriever named Finley made his owners proud when, without any help, was able to fit six tennis balls in his mouth.
“The joy he brings to us is one thing,” said owner, Cheri Molloy, according to USA Today. “But he brings joy to people all over the world.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8RksPnpZAJ/?igshid=aghfmnbw8dqy
Finley’s method is to wait until someone throws him the six balls. He scoops up four pretty easily. He uses his paws to hold the next two while he crams them in too.
With all six balls in his mouth, his cheeks are puffed out like a squirrel’s. A couple may only be held in with a tooth, but they’re all there while his tail wags in joy.
His owners, Cheryl and Rob Molloy brought Finely into their Canandaigua, New York, home when their daughter came home as a college senior with him at just 10 months old.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7-7x5FJplL/?igshid=1le7hyienyppk
The Molloy’s describe him as a well-behaved pup that never destroys his toys or the house.
He’s also very polite and likes to drop toys in guests’ laps for them to throw for a game of fetch.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B7lNJDnJ9O1/?igshid=ebhgf8oerqtj
The Molloy’s noticed Finley’s talent for ball gathering by accident. They saw him walk around outside with four in his mouth. They would toss balls at him to see how many he could pick up.
Eventually, he was able to grab six at a time!
He even has his own Instagram account, @FinneyBoyMolloy, with almost 30,000 followers from all over the world.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8LzA6OJYjw/?igshid=179905lsfh6yt
As far as an official designation from Guinness World Records, that’s coming. A golden in Texas has held the record, with five balls in his mouth at a time, since 2003. The records people, however, have protocol in place where they need video proof as well as witnesses to complete the verification process.
The Molloy’s say they’re working on it. Finley performs this amazing feat all on his own, so proof won’t be a problem.
In the meantime, Finley looks like he’s having a ball—or six—chasing fame!
