From ABC's Nightline.

Bring Your Mat, and Man's Best Friend
Yoga for Dogs Is Becoming Increasingly Popular Around the World
By RYAN OWENS and MELIA PATRIA

For thousands of years, the ancient practice of yoga has led to peace and enlightenment for people wishing to unite their body and mind. While some techniques have changed over time, chances are the early gurus did not anticipate the newest set of devotees: dogs.

A doga class at the Japan Dog Association at the Nippon Ayurveda School. Here, Satoe Tachi practices yoga with her dog Chaco, a Kaninchen dachshund. (Reuters)

"We're going to Om, but I want you to actually Om towards the dog," said instructor Kari Harendorf in front of a yoga class for dogs and their owners. "Inhale, Ommmm, Ommmm," she continued.

The latest fitness craze for dog lovers is called "doga" and it's coming to a mat near you. In a typical doga class, owners help their pups facilitate different poses, and they also do their own poses using the animals as helpful props. Owners also perform doggy massage and acupressure to help soothe and relax their pets.

"This is about you and your dog, and time with your dog," said Harendorf as she began the class and instructed the owners on how to gently stretch their dogs' legs and paws.

Speaking of stretches, this whole concept may seem like one to many people. But it's not to Harendorf, who is a yoga instructor, dog trainer and former veterinary technician.

"When I tell people that I teach yoga for dogs, they say, 'Oh, my dog would never be able to do yoga. He's too hyper or too this, too that,'" she said. "I'll say, 'Well, try a couple of poses with him.'"

That's how Harendorf started doing doga with her dog Charlie five years ago. "Every time I would get my mat out, Charlie would come lay on top of it," she explained. "I would go into [downward facing] dog and he would just lie under me and look up at me. He put his paw on my hand, and we started doing yoga together."

Now, Harendorf and Charlie lead monthly classes at Bideawee Animal Shelter in New York City. The tranquil ambiance is set with candles, incense, and calming music.

Going to the Dogis
It turns out the quest for zen is not just for the hyper pups of the Big Apple. Doga has spread to Seattle, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Fla., Canada, and even Japan. Later this year, Suzi Teitelman and her dog Coali will debut the first doga exercise video for those who would like to practice their poses from the privacy and comfort of home.

Doga has also inspired clothing lines, books, and a plethora of pet accessories. At Trixie and Peanut, a pet boutique in New York City, dogis on the way to enlightenment can find stylish velour sweat suits. "It's just like a sweat suit you would get for yourself when you're going to do yoga," said store owner Susan Bing. "It stretches," she continued. "It keeps them warm."

For playful dogis, Bodhi makes a variety of chew toys inspired by Indian art and philosophy. Squeaky "Mendhi Balls" are decorated with lotuses and leaves in the style of Henna tattoo art, while "Shanti Sticks" are inscribed with the mantra "Om Shanti Shanti."

There's also the "Om Ball," which plays a recording of the mantra Om when bounced on the floor. "[It] was recorded by renowned yogi Bhagavan Das especially for this," said Bing.

Finally, the ultimate luxury gift for any doga dog is the custom-made "Lotus Bed," a suede lounge cushion with hand embroidering. "They feature a lotus bud," said Bing, "another sign of good luck and harmony in meditation."

While some people may roll their eyes and say these dogs are overindulged, pet trend expert Maggie Gallant says dogs and yoga are a natural combination. "It makes sense," she said. "Dogs come into our lives because they make us grounded, they remind us to play on a daily basis, and that's very often the kinds of principles you learn from doing yoga."

Gallant, who practices yoga with her beloved dachshund Dixie, says doga has the potential to be a very widespread trend. "There are 75 million homes in America that have dogs," she said, "and about 13 million people practicing yoga."

Does It Work?
While the concept of doga may strike some people as over-the-top, Barbara Carnival says when she heard about the class, she enrolled with her dog George right away. "I was looking to do another yoga class for myself," she explained, "so, I said, 'Hey, I can bring him with me, great.'"

But the real question is, does doga really work? Before the class began, many of the dogs were barking, playing rambunctiously and, well — acting like dogs. By the end, most were practically asleep.

"I think it enriches his life, for sure," said Mame McCutchin about her dog, Mishka. "It's social, I think it feels good for him.

"He gets a little massage … I get a fur coat," she joked "Everyone wins." Harendorf says doga actually offers health benefits for dogs because the massage aids digestion and lowers blood pressure. She also says it can help socialize and calm dogs with behavioral problems, but most of all, it's about bonding.

"Doga is about paying attention to your animal," said Harendorf. "That's really [what] any of us want — attention from the one we love most."

From astrology.com

Aries
If you have no idea how to plan ahead, how can you achieve goals? Start small, Aries. A simple 'sit' will earn one biscuit, so imagine what you'll snag with a repertoire of tricky tricks.

Taurus
Power struggles in your pack starting to get a bit old? Why don't you try a different approach, Taurus? Do something really outrageous. If you chose well, it should settle the score from here on out.

Gemini
Just when you have all your packmates figured out, a new dog appears. This one is really different from the others, too. You won't get much from the once over, Gemini, but do your best.

Cancer
Face it, some dogs are smarter than you are. Hard to believe, but true — that's why you fly off the handle at the mere footfall of the mailman, while other dogs are more intellectual about the daily visit.

Leo
All those clashes with all those dogs — whew, it's exhausting just cataloguing them. Why don't you get your bruised ego out of the way for a change, Leo? You and the rest of the canine world would be much better off.

Virgo
Hmm, something is different. It's not bad, exactly, just not part of your routine. It's so subtle you can hardly put your paw on it, so be open-minded at least until you pinpoint the change.

Libra
If it's been a while since you've had a good day, it's time to look at your routine. When is the last time you tried a new brand of chow or walked along a different route? Branch out, Libra.

Scorpio
You and your housemate are the odd couple. He likes things neat and tidy, while you go for the more casual look. Don't freak out when you find your filthy blanket in a neat wicker basket.

Sagittarius
You'll meet plenty of people along your route today, but they won't impress you. No one can hold a candle to your owner, right Sag? But if you keep an open mind, you'll connect with one or two along the way.

Capricorn
You and your buddy thought you'd topple the alpha, but your plans didn't go well. Now what are the two of you going to do? It's time to weigh your options, Capricorn.

Aquarius
At this point, any group of dogs looks attractive. But don't settle for the first new pack you check out, Aquarius. If you're going to be instigating a major change, do your research first.

Pisces
In your dreams you run with other dogs, but when you wake up, you're home alone again. It's not as bad as it sounds, though, because you are an excellent dreamer. So chase the imaginary metal rabbit to your heart's content.

Holistic Diets and Supplements

Denise Flaim, in her Animal House blog over at Newsday.com, has a good column this week about natural diets for dogs. I know it's a scary subject. To tell you the truth, I'm always a little nervous about the idea of giving up my kibble-dependence and switching to natural. Even at the height of the pet food recall I couldn't quiet bring myself to totally give up kibble and feed my dogs completely out of my own kitchen — though I certainly researched it. But many people swear that natural is the only way to go.

Ms. Flaim says that she feeds her four Rhodesian Ridgebacks a natural diet and offers some suggestions for people who'd like to try the same.

For my money, the best way to maintain control over what your dog eats is to make the meals yourself, following the instructions of your veterinarian and one of many reputable do-it-yourself books out there. (Kymythy Schultze's "Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats," available on dogwise.com or amazon.com, is a perennial favorite. So is Monica Segal's self-published "Optimal Nutrition, Raw and Cooked Canine Diets: The Next Level," available from monicasegal.com. Segal also does phone consultations and will formulate a diet tailored to your dog's special needs.)

I do agree that Monica Segal is a great source of information. In addition to her books and lectures, you can join in discussions about natural diets for dogs in her Yahoo group, K9Kitchen - groups.yahoo.com/group/K9Kitchen/join/.

Some of the supplements Ms. Flaim says that she uses for her dogs, either daily or occasionally, include:

Fish body oil. A good source of omega-3 fatty acid — an anti-inflammatory. Often are used as supplements for dogs with allergies and help support the immune system in general.

I add a squirt to my dogs' food daily. Look for human-grade oil, preferably from deep-sea wild salmon. One good source is the salmon oil sold at thewholisticpet.com. If you're on a budget, try the fish oil sold at Costco; for toy dogs or puppies, pierce the gel cap with a needle, then squeeze the oil on food.

Diatomaceous earth. This white powder is actually the fossilized remains of hard-shelled algae. Diatomaceous earth's holistic claim to fame is as a natural insecticide: Its microscopically sharp edges pierce an insect's waxy exoskeleton, causing it to dehydrate and die. You can sprinkle it on dog beds to keep down fleas, or feed it as a natural wormer. (Be sure to use food grade — not the variety for swimming pools.) You can also sprinkle it throughout your yard. Ms. Flaim doesn't say how much she uses or how often.

Green foods. These foods include alfalfa, spirulina and blue-green algae. They are rich in vitamins, amino acids and trace minerals. Natural detoxifiers, they also have antioxidant properties.

Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is said to acidify the dog's system, making it less appealing to parasites, and can help alleviate itchy skin. Because of its acidity, feed with food. Many people also put a cap full in a dog's bucket of water. Buy an organic, unpasteurized brand that contains "the mother" — a reference to the bacterial culture that created it.

Coconut oil. "While the medical evidence is scant, its proponents offer a laundry list of benefits, including antimicrobial, anti-allergy and cancer-prevention properties. It can be used internally or topically — though beware of the 'lick factor.'"

SeaCure. "I always have a stash of this nutraceutical on hand. Originally developed to provide quick, easily digestible nutrition to malnourished children, this protein supplement, made from fermented whitefish, is often recommended by holistic vets for animals with malabsorptive, allergic or digestive problems. I use it any time one of my dogs is recovering from surgery and needs help with rebuilding tissue and wound healing. For more information, visit propernutrition.com."

Bovine colostrum. "Known as "mother's milk," this micronutrient-rich supplement contains proteins called immunoglobulins, which help boost the immune system and have antibacterial and antiviral properties. New Zealand colostrum is considered top shelf because cows there are pasture fed and so are not at risk for mad cow disease. As with SeaCure, it's another supplement I reach for when I have a dog recuperating from injury or infection. One human-grade brand I have had good results with is Sedona Labs; Google around to find the best price."

As you can tell, some of these supplements, such as fish body oil, would be good to give to a dog everyday. Others, such as bovine colostrum, are more specialized, and would be good immune supplements when your dog is recovering from a surgery.

You should always consult with your vet before making a drastic change, such as switching from kibble to a natural diet. Perhaps a consultation with a holistic veterinarian is in order to discuss your dog's diet? Try the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association for the names of holistic vets in your area.

The animal blog over at OrlandoSentinel.com is reporting that keepers at the Shanghai zoo are feeding garlic to their penguins! Apparently the pengins have suffered from a mold that's grown in their enclosure in the past, during the summer rainy season, and the keepers are hoping the garlic will help prevent respiratory problems this year, along with stomach and intestinal problems. (The birds aren't too keen on the garlic — it's not part of their natural diet.)

If you're not familiar with the legendary powers attributed to garlic, many dog owners swear by them. Garlic is an age-old preventive for fleas. You can mix a clove into your dog's food, mince it into a cheese or cream cheese treat, bake it into a cookie (cooking will lessen some of garlic's healthy properties, but it will still do its job) — the list of ways to give garlic is endless. Most dogs love the flavor. Garlic pills and garlic powder (without salt) are also popular ways to give garlic to dogs.

You may have read or heard that garlic can be dangerous to dogs. Garlic would only be dangerous if given in enormous amounts (if a dog ate several bulbs at one time), the same as it would be harmful to humans if given in large enough quantities to make someone sick. Give your dog garlic in small amounts and you will see benefits with no harmful effects.

I have given my dogs garlic for many years and they love it. Many people I know add garlic to dog cookies when they make them for their dogs.

Here's a great cookie recipe for your dog containing garlic. Try it and see how much he loves it — and you!

Liver Bow-Wows
2 lbs chicken livers
2 C corn meal
2 C wheat germ
2 eggs
2 1/2 tsp. granulated garlic (not salt)
1/2 C dried parsley
Liquefy livers in food processor, pour into mixing bowl and add other ingredients. Mix until smooth like a brownie batter. Spread on a cookie sheet (1/2 sheet cake size) until it's evenly spread about 1/3 inch thick. Bake at 350 F for about 35 minutes. When cool cut into squares, or whatever shapes you prefer. I keep them in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator. Dogs go nuts!

A holistic approach towards your dog’s health is the need of the hour. It encompasses a multifaceted approach in treating your dog. Not only can they be cured of their specific illness, but a holistic approach ensures the future well being of your dog as well.

There is no doubt that we cannot do away with the traditional approach but we can surely reduce our dependence on them for our dog’s care. In the case of traditional approach, only the illness per se is taken care of and cured whereas the associated factors are ignored.

Well, that is what has been happening all these years. It’s the tried and tested way that works, you might insist. That’s where we might need to modify our perception, for we often don’t see the complete picture. As a result of which we overlook many underlying factors that might lead to more serious problems in our dogs.

Holistic approach to dog care takes care of this aspect. Here the vet analyses the problem in its entirety with the help of a thorough insight of all internal as well as external factors that might lead to such complications.

How Does It Help?

Holistic vets are no doubt a good bet as far as your dog’s health is concerned. Their multi pronged approach enables them to plan an effective schedule of treatment, including their diet, etc. leading to strengthening of their immune system.

Long-term health benefits can be assured with holistic healthcare whereas that is not always the case in traditional approach. As the root cause is not taken care in traditional approach, the same illness can recur innumerable times with absolutely no relief for your dog. You will end up visiting your vet more often and return with a hefty bill.

A Holistic Choice…

Thus adopting a holistic approach might be a better choice than sticking to traditional approach.

In the holistic health care, the vet begins the treatment taking into account the severity of the illness. There can be either a short-term or long-term treatment plan. Eventually your dog is cured and is now stronger with a better immune system.

Yes, at the same time one has to accept that in case of real emergencies, traditional approach of medication will bring faster relief. In fact in many cases, a judicious mix of both kinds of treatment will work wonders.

The Main Focus

The main aspect on which the holistic vet focuses his treatment includes the nutritional aspects of your dog as well as the environmental condition in which he lives. He will also take into account the emotional and psychological state of your dog. This helps him to get an idea of the medical condition in its entirety.

The Wide Array…

Holistic medicine has in its ambit a wide array of treatment for you to choose from. Each one of them unique in its own way. Ranging from Homeopathy to Acupressure, from Color and Music therapy to Magnotherapy, from flower essence treatment to Ayurveda. These kinds of natural treatment therapies are gaining popularity due to the minimal risk involved.

What about Vaccinations?

This is yet another area which should be given due importance. We often tend to give blindly all the recommended vaccinations as some annual ritual. And we end up putting our dogs to risk.

The Reality…

According to holistic vets, the antibiotics, steroids and the vaccines used in dog vaccinations and treatment prove more harmful in the long run as the dog loses its ability to develop its natural immunity. As a result, it becomes more addicted to a vaccine, which is a dangerous trend.

Research has shown that as dog vaccinations usually follow a multi dose pattern, it results in the infusion of massive amount of vaccine (which is in fact live or dead form of the disease causing virus) at regular intervals year after year. This makes your dog more or less addicted to the yearly booster dose for maintaining its immune response.

This is dangerous as it can even lead to weakening of immune response if vaccinations are stopped midway. At times it can also lead to allergies and more serious complications. If you have already vaccinated your dog you need not be unduly alarmed.

There are certain essential vaccinations, which have to be given irrespective of what we think. It is always better to consult your holistic vet before rushing to vaccinate your dog. In this way we can at least eliminate the non-essential vaccines.

Believe me, our dogs have a stronger inherent strength in them to heal themselves than we can imagine. Yes, at times they do need external help, which we can no doubt give them in a holistic way. Keep this in mind, a little puppy Shih tzu at three months of age, which might weight 4 or 5 pounds, get the same vaccination dosage as a Great Dane, puppy, which we all know weights a lot more at the same age. I asked my traditional veterinarian the why of it, and his response was that is the way it is.

So trust in your instinct and give the best care to your dog.