Why do dogs like to fetch sticks?

No matter how many times we threw a stick for Kimme she would still race to fetch it.  The same goes for balls, toys, old shoes, anything throwable.  Kimme brings the stick back to us and drops it, pleading with us to throw it again. Alright, here we go, one more time!  So what is this doggy obsession with racing to fetch something and bring it back only to do it over and over again?

It all goes back to the wild days, when dogs had to hunt for their supper.  Running to catch  live food meant that they only ate if they were quick and agile.  Bringing their meal back with them was to keep it safe in the den and perhaps to share with young.  Mother dogs would hunt to feed their little ones.

This instinct is still strong, although many other dog survival traits have disappeared because of domestication.   Most people no longer want pets who can fend for themselves.  Now dogs bring their stick or ball back because we reward them with praise.  Good boy!   Here, fetch!   Off they go again.  Dogs like to please us and this is part of their interaction with their people.  Are we throwing the stick to make the dog happy?  Or is he fetching it back because he’s anxious to please us?   A bit of both, I suppose.