Hi everyone, it’s me Hobbes, one of the Paws Give Me Purpose senior Sanctuary Residents. Today I am practicing my downward dog pose; I think I actually got it!
For those not familiar with my story, I am a senior gentleman around 20 years of age, both blind and deaf. I have endured a life of extreme criminal neglect and underwent surgery for my extremely damaged gums and urgent repair of a fistula that was bleeding and causing me pain. Unfortunately, I will need to undergo another surgery soon but I need time to allow the fragile tissue to heal and get myself healthier and stronger.
I know you’re probably asking how am I doing this? I am eating healthy, homemade food and treats, taking supplements and practicing Doga.
What is Doga? Doga is a new trend that combines yoga and dogs. It is a great way to get some exercise; if I say so myself I am pretty good at it. It’s a really fun activity that actually has many tangible healing properties for both humans and dogs.
Doga is helping me build muscle and can even help dogs lose fat if they practice it regularly. I personally am very skinny, so for me it’s about getting stronger and helping with my blood circulation.
Doga usually appeals to us dog’s natural instincts to stretch, which helps improve our flexibility and range of motion. Since I am a senior, regular exercise and massage is helping with my arthritis. Doga can also be beneficial to dogs that have hip dysplasia or similar pain issues that occur with aging.
Injured dogs, depending on the injury of course, can also benefit from some Doga. Dogs who are recovering from an injury or accident can get significant pain relief through gentle stretching, which relieves muscle tension. It can also help rebuild their strength, whether they lost it due to aging or an injury, and that’s exactly what I’m doing – regaining my strength.
I highly recommend Doga! It is a fantastic way to bond with your own dog, especially when you do assisted poses where you and your pup work together. This can help your dog learn how to trust you and strengthen your relationship. I believe you humans call it bonding. When you improve the bond with your dog, you also improve the potential for behavior correction and training.
Doga does require relaxation and deep focus from both parties which helps your bond become deeper and more authentic over time. I have quickly bonded with humans here at the Sanctuary and don’t like to be alone. I need my caretaker 24/7 or else I will cry out for her and attempt to escape and look for her. Now that I am getting stronger I am trying new things, but have been told it’s not safe to jump over things especially gates and couches.
Of course, the best shared benefit of Doga is that it can help with stress and anxiety. I think I can say without a doubt this has been important for me. Doga is also great if you have a dog with behavioral issues. Very barkey anxious dogs that live here have learned learn to become still and relaxed thanks to Doga. It does take time to achieve this, so you need to make Doga a regular part of you and your dog’s schedule.
Us canines are fairly flexible and are born with the innate ability to live in the moment. This is a natural tendency and a blessing for us dogs that I see humans strive for by taking yoga. I have been told that for most dog lovers out there, everything is more enjoyable when your dog joins you, and yoga is not an exception. Even though us dogs can sometimes be a distraction it is only because we are curious and want to be included in the fun. Doga will truly be a unique and new experience for you and your dog; you should try it.
Stay tuned for future updates on my progress, and the scheduling of my upcoming surgery. If anyone would like to become my sponsor, please reach out to the kind people here at Paws Give Me Purpose.
