Animal Lover, Author, Massage Therapist, and Yoga Instructor Brenda Bryan believes in the healing powers of her Barking Buddha Dogma classes.  Both she and I believe that aging pets benefit physically and psychologically from the Hatha-based Yoga stretches that she teaches.  Older dogs suffering from hip dysplasia and other ailments feel relief by improving muscular skeletal health.  Opal and Dixie happen to wake up each morning and do their own versions of doga -- downward doga, that is -- while I do my yoga, but I must say, they’re much for flexible than I am. I attribute this not only to their doga discipline and diligence each morning, but to their diligence in downing our Flax Fur Pets supplement with each meal. This amazing supplement (if I may say so myself) contains a balanced blend of Omega 3, 6 and 9 essential fatty acids. It has more Omega 3 than fish oil, perfectly balanced with both Omega 9 and Omega 6, which the body does not produce and fish oil does not contain. Flax Fur Pets not only enhances the immune system, but it promotes the growth of healthy membranes and keeps joints and muscles mobile and limber. Did you know that Flax Fur Pets is made using only the highest, human grade ingredients, and that if you wanted to sprinkle it in your own cereal or yogurt you could? I DO!

Bryan carved a niche for her business when she decided to offer a truly unique service. She was even featured in The New York Times. Her book, Barking Buddha: Simple Soul Stretches for Yogi and Dogi was released last year.  Filled with photographs and descriptions of poses, the book serves as a reference guide for anyone looking to do Yoga with his or her dog. Despite my offer to sign-up for classes with them, I have to admit that Opal and Dixie were less than keen on my suggestion. That said, there are definitely benefits.

Kooky as it all sounds, not only will you meet other pet lovers at these classes, but you will also have a verifiable way of blowing off steam after putting in a long day at work.  What could be more gratifying than spending time with your four-legged best friend, gently stretching into Gumby-type poses?  As you master all of the most difficult stretches, you can feel your cardiovascular system thanking you for a job well done.  Your dog’s pain from the hip dysplasia will surely subside, and the two of you will become a force to be reckoned with.  Yoga was created to strengthen and tone muscles, improve breathing, and increase blood flow.

Benefits of Doing Yoga with Your Dog

There are numerous benefits to doing Doga.  Here are a few:

• Classes give you and your precious pooch time to bond.
• They allow you to interact with with like-minded pet parents, and for your dog to socialize with like-minded doggies.
• They aid in eliminating stress and tension by relieving aches and pains throughout your and your dog’s bodies.

How to Find a Doga Class Near You

Here are some places on the web that teach Doga classes:

• DogaDog: Doga Suzi Teitelman instructs classes in your home or at her Jacksonville Beach, Florida.  She sells handpainted yoga mats on her website as well as a Doga DVD.
• Barking Buddha Dogma: The aforementioned Brenda Bryan’s Seattle based classes.  Her blog keeps students up-to-date on upcoming classes, gives information to the media, and includes pictures of dogs around town.
• DOGMASF: Based right here in our beloved San Francisco, these Dogma classes are six weeks long and held on Tuesday evenings from June 1^st to July 5^th.

If there isn’t a class near you, contact local Yoga teachers and ask them if they would be interested in starting a group of their own.  Yes, yes, they make think, “Huh?” But they may also think, “Aha!”

Doga may seem odd at first glance, but it does have health benefits.  For older pets suffering from physical ailments, a healthy dose of Flax Fur Pets added to their food coupled with a good stretch can work wonders in improving their mobility and overall well-being…. just as it can ours.

I wish I could share with you all the great photos we’ve taken of Opal, Dixie and our slew of kitties, both past and present. They’re so photogenic and have unique personalities that are easily captured on film.

A great photograph speaks for itself; it captures its subject perfectly and conveys a message about the time, place, and mood.  Taking a memorable photograph of your pet doesn’t require professional equipment or skills.  A simple digital camera will often do the trick.  The following advice should help you steady your hand, determine the right amount of lighting, and recognize the right moment to snap a photo of your pet. I shouldn’t really be talking about this subject, since I typically have to snap away for hours in order to catch perhaps one or two good ones… and it’s always, always due to my own incompetence! For those of you who have a bit more of an eye than I have, these tips should come easily.

First, be sure your pet is clean and well-groomed. Unless you’re taking an action shot, a dog who’s just done swimming in the ocean or a cat who’s been rolling around in mud aren’t the most attractive. So, grab a bottle of Opie & Dixie’s Organic Oatmeal Almond Shampoo or our Organic Unscented Kitty Shampoo, and give your dog or cat a nice scrub. If all they need is a refresher to make them look nice and shiny, a quick wipe down with our Organic Rosehips Dry Shampoo and Conditioning Mist will do the trick.

Sitting Positions

For family or holiday photos, a seated position is ideal.  Here is how you can get the best angle of your dog or cat:

• Avoid using a flash.  Take pictures where there is a lot of natural light.  Avoid direct sunlight and high traffic or distracting areas like roadways and crowded parks.
• Bring along familiar items that will grab your pet’s attention.  Balls, bells, and toys provide noise which will generate a healthy dose of curiosity in your pet.  You will be able to get a variety of poses quickly and with little effort as long as you have these items with you.
• Reward your pet for his or her efforts.  Take along a small bag of treats.  Give your dog or cat one each time he or she sits still for a photograph.

Action Shots

• Choose a location that is familiar to your pet.  Backyards and neighborhood parks are great places to capture your pet in action.  Keep your camera in hand and wait for the perfect opportunity to start shooting.
• Have someone around you engage in play with your dog or cat.  Children have a great time completing this task.  Give them a variety of items to play with try to take pictures from different perspectives.  Some of the best photographs include people in the shot.
• Get in close and get on their level.  Think like your pet.  See the world through their eyes.  Make things personal by removing the human perspective from your work.
• Catch them in the moment.  Try to capture the things about your pet’s personality that makes you love them so much.  If your dog likes to bury things, catch him in the act.  If your cat is keen on napping, make sure you get a shot of her sleeping the afternoon away.

Photography is a gratifying hobby that can be picked up easily at any age.  Using even the most primitive camera, you can take amazing pictures of your pets at rest and at play.

If all else fails, do what I did:  hire a professional pet photographer! My friend, pet photographer Kira Stackhouse, is a sure bet!

As my friend Rachel and I were saying this morning, we're all sick and tired of people trying to sell us things these days. I, for one, am fed up with being stopped at every corner by someone with a petition when all I want to do is take a leisurely stroll. I can't help but feel intruded upon when I innocently answer the phone, only to have someone ask me to donate something, or when I read an informative article about nutrition, only to learn that the piece has been sponsored by a food company. That said, today, I will ever-so-delicately promote Opie & Dixie by joining the parade of press we've been receiving. Why hide our pride?

LOOK WHO’S TALKING! People Magazine’s People Pets, NY Daily News, Dogtipper and others love our entire holistic line, and the SF Examiner (by way of the Dayton Small Pets Examiner), loves our Healing Paw Balm. The author wrote that she uses it for her rabbit, Oreo! My favorite line in the article is this: “Oh, and by the way, I have used a great many natural (and unnatural) products on my hands over the years, and I had dramatic, lasting results after using this on my trashed hands. Dramatic.”  Who am I to argue? I use it for my cuticles. It’s great stuff, which is likely why it happens to be Opie & Dixie’s best seller. There. I've said it, and I rest my case.

I just read another article about the plight of puppies sold in pet stores, and now I'm so, sooooo heartbroken - again. These poor pups are forced into such tragic lives and it breaks my heart to imagine what happens to them when day after day, week after week and month after month they remain caged, confused and unwanted.

Pet store puppies do tend to come from puppy mills, not responsible breeders, just as you’ve been hearing and reading about more and more frequently. As Dogster.com writes, “Most dog lovers know about the often horrid conditions of puppy mills, the unregulated breeding facilities owned by disreputable breeders. Dogs are often bred far too frequently, are kept cramped together in squalor, and are not socialized with humans.” Simply reading and re-writing the above brings me close to tears! Rather than re-write any more than has already been written by Dogster, I’ll simply direct you to the article.

If you’re reading this, it’s a sure bet that I’m preaching to the choir. But, the reason I keep writing about this sad subject is to remind you to speak up each time you hear an uninformed person chatting about their plan to purchase a pet from a pet store; to remind you spread the word. If we all lend our voices to fighting the perpetuation of puppy mills, there is a good chance that one day we can take pride in our role in the legal abolishment of their existence… 

A month or so ago, the United States Post Office and the Humane Society of the United States teamed up to create stamps, cachets, and other merchandise featuring shelter dogs and cats.  The Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps feature the images of ten adopted pets, five felines and five canines, as a way to raise awareness about animal welfare.  The stamps are available for purchase through the mail and at your local post office and are part of an ongoing campaign called “Stamps to the Rescue.” They're available thanks to the active concern and support of numerous organizations. Over one million meals will be served to shelter animals because of their generosity. You’d better believe that before they were even available I pre-ordered a stash of Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps large enough to last me a lifetime (or at least until the next price increase)!

I'm a huge supporter of shelters and rescues, and am so happy to see that while puppies and kittens have traditionally been the animals most in demand, more and more people are discovering the joys of adopting adult and senior animals. As I've said and will keep right on saying, I have a big, ol’ soft spot for “the elderly,” so when I think adoption, I want to scream from the rafters, “ADOPT A SENIOR!” For those with their hearts set on a specific breed, the Humane Society attests that purebred dogs account for 25 to 30 percent of the population in shelters. Can you imagine that? The number of purebred rescue organizations for both dogs and cats is astounding, too. My breeder friends are going to kill me for saying this, but when you think about it, is there really any reason to buy a pet from a pet store or breeder when there are so many homeless dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters... ALL sorts of critters ready and waiting to find their forever homes? I'll let you answer that question.

Please show your support for shelters, rescues and animal advocacy groups. Help raise awareness about overpopulation and the importance of spaying and neutering pets.  Buy your The Animal Rescue: Adopt a Shelter Pet stamps today!

I attended Muttville’s 2nd Annual Moolah for Mutts fundraiser last night, and I was astounded by the turnout. Both the number of dog-lovers in attendance and the fabulous array of silent auction items so generously donated by spas, restaurants, hotels, wineries, artists, and vendors throughout the Bay Area tell me that the movement to rescue and find homes for senior dogs has finally taken San Francisco by storm. The heart and soul of Muttville is Sherri Franklin, and because of her, I have finally chosen a religion and a god(dess) to worship: Sherri herself. It's no wonder that the spirit of this one, amazing woman's mission is rapidly spreading throughout the entire country.

Please read about Sherri, the organization she’s established and the work she and her volunteers lovingly devote their lives to on her press page, and adopt an old-timer today! 

Summertime gives me plenty of reason to celebrate. Perhaps it's because I grew up overseas in the tropics that it’s never quite hot enough for me here in San Francisco. Frankly, it’s not even warm enough, let alone hot enough! Even though summer in San Francisco is much, much cooler than it is in other parts of the country, at least we do get that occasional, glorious burst of heat from time to time. Warmer weather brings us out of our homes and into our backyards and pool areas (I should be so lucky) to soak up the sun.  Opal and Dixie seem to sense my elevated mood when it’s nice and toasty out, and their spirits soar along with mine (not that their spirits aren’t high enough at any other time of year!)  That said, as much as they enjoy being outdoors and basking in the sun with me, they lose the energy they typically have to run and play, and they do become a bit lethargic after awhile. Despite my personal love of hot weather, I’m always aware that for Opal and Dixie, these heat waves bring their fair share of precautions.  Here are some things that I’m always vigilant of, and that you may want to think about as well:

Overheating, Dehydration, and Heat Stroke Can Happen Quickly

Too little shade and not enough water is a deadly combination.  Dogs and cats can get overheated very quickly.  As a result, their bodies may become dehydrated.  They may also get sunburned or suffer from heatstroke.  In severe cases, animals become too ill to survive their illness.

Here are five tips that can help your pets beat the heat this summer:

• When outdoors, give your pet a place to lay down in the shade.  Make sure that the area is comfortable and out of the way of direct sunlight.
• Make sure that your pet has access to fresh water at all times.  The average dog should drink 1 ounce or 30 milliliters of water per pound.  This increases during hotter months, and more so when an animal spends long period of time outdoors.
• If you keep your pet in a crate during the day, make sure that it is well-ventilated.  It’s nice to point a fan towards your pet’s crate if he or she seems hotter than usual.
• On car trips, keep a collapsible water dish handy.  Take frequent rest breaks to let your pet stretch out his or her legs and get a drink of water. 
• Never, EVER leave your pet in the car alone.  Temperatures rise quickly and can cause your pet to become ill or even die, even with a window cracked.  If your pet shows any signs of overheating, dehydration or sunburn, consult your Veterinarian right away.
• If you tend to "dress up" your pet in little t-shirts and sweaters, I'm not sure you really want to do this in hot weather. Animals are so much more hot-blooded than we are. That, coupled with their fur... well, think about it:  would YOU like to be wrapped up in a sweater when you're in 80 degree weather??

Treating Your Pet’s Summer Symptoms

If you suspect your pet is overheating or is panting hard and has white gums, quickly bring them in an area away from the sun.  Point a fan at them if one is available.  Run cool water over their body and stroke their fur.  Keep them calm by speaking softly to them.

If your pet is dehydrated, you can give them small amounts of water or electrolyte drinks.  If their symptoms worsen, seek medical help immediately.  Too much water can cause animals to vomit which actually heightens their dehydration.

Sunburns are no fun for humans or pets.  Colloidal oatmeal mixed with water soothes red, itchy skin.  Witch hazel takes the heat out of a burn while aloe cools skin and helps it heal faster.  Apply the chosen substance to the animal’s inflamed area several times daily, being aware of any allergies your pet may experience.

The raging summer sun doesn’t have to become your pet’s worst enemy.  Exercise caution when spending time outdoors with your dog or cat.  Think the same way you would when caring for yourself.  Frequent shady areas, hydrate often, and protect both your and your pet’s skin.

Lately, Little Miss Opal has been quite the rebel.  If we believe in the “dog age in human years” chart, she would probably be around 60 right now. This can typically be the age at which we humans may become a little rebellious ourselves, saying whatever we want to say when we want to say it, feeling it unnecessary to censor our words and actions because of how comfortable we’ve become in our own skin. My thinking, however, is that Opal is more teenager than 60-year-old, and given how healthy and active my girls are, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Being part lab, both Opal and Dixie are big sniffers; truffle pigs, zealously sniffing out those pricey gems buried in the ground. Unlike other dogs who march about with their heads held high, Opal and Dixie’s noses are constantly glued to the ground:  “Oh-oh-oh! Mud! Yummy!”  “Look! It’s grass! Snacktime!” “Hey, smell’s like Daisy’s left us a message here!” It doesn’t matter what they smell -- a smell is a smell is a smell, and if there’s a hint of one, their little snoots (otherwise known as snouts) are determined to identify it.

Best of all are Mondays. Each Monday morning when we arrive at the entrance to the dog park, the girls dart straight to the picnic tables. Two of Pavlov’s Dogs, they’ve learned that Monday = the day after a weekend, weekends = picnics, and picnics = leftovers and crumbs in abundance under the picnic tables. Yes, it’s true. They KNOW this. They don’t just smell it, they know it. No matter where we are, I always keep my eyes pasted to their “snoots,” ready to grab away whatever treasure they pick up. Despite my vigilance, however, every so often I miss the precise moment at which they pick it up. Whether or not it’s something particularly disgusting, I’ll screech to them, “Dixie, drop it!” “Opal! Drop it!” Now, Dixie will instantly drop whatever she’s picked up and run to me with her little tail thumping away, “See? See? I’m such a good, gooooood girl!”  Opal? Not so much. I could be rushing towards her at the speed of light, yelling until I’m practically hoarse, “OOOOOOOOPAAAAAAAAAAALLLL! DROP IT!” If I’m lucky, she’ll glance up and give me a “yeah, whatever” look. More often than not, though, I don’t even get the courtesy of a glance. After all, the cow dung caviar she’s gotten a hold of is far too engrossing to allow for distractions. When I reach her, grab her by the collar, yank her away and scold her (“No! Bad girl!”), my voice, words and actions bear absolutely no weight whatsoever. This is insultingly obvious to me as Opal happily thump-thump-thumps her tail, looking at me ever-so-innocently, and then merrily proceeding to stroll in another direction. Trust me – her hearing is perfect. I could be in Tasmania whispering in my little singsong voice, “Opie, treeeat!” and she’d charge towards the sea and start swimming to Tasmania. No, no – it’s not her hearing. She just knows that mama’s a pushover. She's really not my alpha. She isn’t dominant over me… except when it comes to ground goodies.

Oh, the power of Opal. She has me wrapped right around her little snoot.