my dog wont play

Question
I've had my female spayed 2.5 year old lab mix for 6 months. She's high energy, so I take her on walks of minimum 1 hour daily, but she still needs to chew and shred and dig. Without the walk, she's more hyper. I've advertised on Craigslist and elsewhere for months trying to set up play dates in our fenced backyard, but only a few dogs came through. I've also taken her to off leash parks. When she meets other dogs, she is always friendly, but only *occasionally* will play. She would rather sniff and roam by herself. So now I have taken in a foster for 2 weeks - a male lab/basset who turned out to be much bigger than her. These two also do not play; they tolerate each other. The only time I've truly seen her play is with a German Shorthair Pointer who came over once or twice. I am trying desperately to meet her exercise needs: bought a treadmill (the training is painful), try to get her to fetch (she's not really into it), and now a live-in playmate. I should add that she's a very sweet dog, and as a retiree I'm with her almost all day. But the energy piece of it - and the prospect of daily walks in winter - will burn me out. Help??!! Thanks much.

Answer
Many dogs as they get a little older lose interest in playing with other dogs.  She is a little young for that.  It is possible she didn't have regular opportunities to play in her past and lost interest in it sooner then many dogs.  

Unfortunately, I am not coming up with other ideas to help her burn off energy.  It is possible with continuing contact with your foster, that she will be more interested.

If the walks are too much for you, you could see if you could find a professional dog walker.  Or how about the neighborhood kids?  Maybe even let one of them show her in 4-H.  In my area, clubs form soon after the first of the year.  Even many urban
areas have 4-H.  For info look in your phone book under government listings
for extension or cooperative extension offices.  Ask specifically about a dog
or canine club.  The dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a
pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much
easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn
to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience
class.  A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/