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He is extremely intelligent.
This year, students at Cecyte Nuevo León, a junior high school in Mexico, have gained a new and unusual companion. Each day, without fail, a friendly local dog arrives on campus to join them during their breaks.
“When the recess bell rings, he comes running to play with the students,” Lydia Sanchez, the school’s principal, shared in a post.
Although the students love the dog’s visits, his preferred type of play comes with consequences.
The dog, who likely belongs to a family living near the school, has one favorite activity: chasing and catching the soccer balls that the students kick to him. However, he often gets a little too enthusiastic, causing almost every ball he touches to pop. Even after being deflated, the balls are still enjoyable toys for the dog.
“We can’t even count the number of balls he’s popped,” Principal Sanchez told The Dodo.
Most of the time, the students don’t mind this behavior. But last week, it became a problem.
The students realized they had only one unbroken ball left to use. To prevent the dog from destroying it, they decided to close the school’s playground gate, keeping the ball-popping pup out until they could replace their damaged supply.
When the dog arrived and saw the closed gate, he seemed to understand the reason. He left the area, visibly upset. Later, he returned, this time carrying a ball of his own—a deflated one—but still an offering to make amends.
“Seeing him come back with his ball to play filled me with emotion,” Sanchez said. “He is extremely intelligent.”
Thankfully, the dog’s brief banishment didn’t last long.
The school has replenished its ball supply, a necessary expense to ensure everyone—both the students and the dog—remain happy.
Now, the situation at the junior high school is back to normal. And as long as Sanchez has any say in the matter, the dog will never again face expulsion for popping balls.
“He’ll always be welcome here,” she assured.
