What is this strange canine-fascination with objects of spherical propensity!?

Yesterday, as I walked around Schenley, Squill (Sq. Hill) and Shadyside, I ran into several very friendly canines. One who literally dragged his owner over while coming to say hello to me and in the process wrapping his Flexi all around me, immobilizing me in the process till his owner walked circles around me to set me free. Then there was this very old bassethound... really old. I bet it could harldy see as the cataract in its eyes was very apparent. But it was friendly nonetheless.

The highlight of the evening however was a highly exuberant canine with his two human cohorts. Can you say that this guy liked to play fetch? He was out like a bullet as soon as the ball left his owners hand and was literally about 2-3 feet above the ground while jumping to catch it!

So what is this strange canine-fascination with balls!? I have yet to come across a dog who didn't get excited at the idea of having to chase a ball. They'll sit there with their eyes glued to it while it's in your hand, with drool dripping down the side of their mouth! And then dart out after it as if it is the coolest thing in the world! Is this a charactistic that is universal to all dogs? Or is it a characteristic of their human owners who inculcate this seemingly innate desire in a dog to chase an object of spherical propensity! Enough said.