Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 1, 2014

Mountain Views News Saturday, February 1, 2014 
9HEALTHY LIFESTYLES Mountain Views News Saturday, February 1, 2014 
9HEALTHY LIFESTYLES 
THE JOY OF YOGA 
SLOWING DOWN TO SPEED UP 
In terms of the physical body, healing takes time and patience. Dealing 
with a chronic condition or injury also requires patience. How often have 
we delayed our own healing because we just could not wait to get better? 
Well, I’ll just speak for myself. I have! 

Yoga is not a practice of burning calories or even just stretching. Yes, we 
do those things, but yoga is much more than that. It’s supporting, aligning, 
and structuring the bones, muscles, deep tissues surrounding the 
muscles. Yoga is methodical and thoughtful. We learn to move in a way 
that supports and strengthens the integrity of the body. It’s a different 
approach. 

Given this approach, yoga is ideal for those recovering from injury and 

even those suffering from chronic conditions, or people who have limited mobility. The aim in any 
yoga practice is to improve our overall quality of life. This does take time and concerted effort on the 
students end. It can be hard at times to be “slowed down” by a teacher in class. We may feel the urge 
to over-exert; trying to make up for lost time or become goal oriented and want to achieve. Don’t give 
in! Patience, consistency with your yoga practice, and commitment to healing will pay off. You will 
end up stronger, more flexible, and ultimately gain freedom from respecting your own body’s needs 
and limitations. 

See you in class, 

Keely Totten, Teacher at Yoga Madre 

ARE YOU AVOIDING GLUTEN AND 

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER GRAIN?‘ 

‘Try Millet” Many people have realized that they suffer with sensitivity 
to gluten. This has made them look for grain alternatives. Yes there 
are many new gluten free products at the grocery stores but the savvy 
consumer is cautious of these products. They realize that many of these 
substitutes popping up are also highly processed foods. Here’s another 
grain that will expand your gluten free selection and hopefully lessen 
the dependency on processed foods. This is an ancient grain that is just 
as old as quinoa and can be considered as a healthy alternative to wheat 
and gluten and it is millet. Millet is a tiny grain that has been a staple in 
India and Asia for about 10,000 years. 

Millet may be used to make breads, it can be made into the consistency 
Dr. Tina is a traditional of hot cereal, and it can be prepared like rice. Below are the health 
naturopath and nutri-reasons you should consider trying millet as an alternative to wheat.
tionist at Vibrant Living Millet is full of nutrients. Millet contains choline and folate, and 
Wellness Centeris high in minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and 
magnesium. These minerals are important for the body to function 
properly. They build strong bones, teeth, blood, skin, and hair. 

These minerals also aide the nerves and muscles to function properly. Millet offers more fiber 
and antioxidants than any other grain. And the serotonin in millet has a calming effect to your 
mood. 

Research shows that millet has antioxidants that may inhibit the enzymes that start cataract 
development. Eating millet will not guarantee that you will not suffer from cataracts but it is a 
step in stacking the deck in your favor. 


Millet may help to ward off gallstones. Studies have shown that people who consume high 
amounts of insoluble plant fiber like that in millet have less of a chance of developing gallstones. 
So if you are avoiding gluten or are just a foodie….try adding millet as a new grain option to your diet. 
Millet is also easy to digest and aids in the elimination of constipation. As a grain, millet is high in protein. 


JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS 
Happy Tails 

by Chris Leclerc 

Post-Surgical Cuddling Canine Proves Breed Profiling 
Preposterous 

I can’t count how many times I’ve found myself 
engaged in a conversation with a fellow “animal lover”, 
trying to convince them of the fact that pit bulls are 
not bad dogs, they just got a bum rap because foolish 
people started training them to fight in the ring.

 The actual name of the breed is American Bulldog, 
originally bred as a working and dog trained to 
perform a variety of practical tasks designed to 
make life easier for farmers. The infamous “pit bull” 
moniker was assigned later on US soil, when kooks 
like Dallas Cowboy lineman Nate Newton, Phoenix 
rapper, DMX and Detroit rapper, Calico took it upon 
themselves to use them for a purpose they were never 
meant for; that of fighting other bull dogs in the pit.

 I remember when the outrageous onslaught of 
negative news first came out about the pit bull. 
Headlines claimed “it is a fierce breed to be feared 
rather than revered“. I knew from the very start that 
any less-than-desirable behavior on the part of the 
animal had to be due to some form of abuse and 
mistreatment on the part of the human. Anyone who 
fell for the media hype that the dogs were inherently 
evil and should be banned, was clearly mislead by 
the talking heads. Meanwhile, breeders continued to 
produce more and more baby bulldogs in back yards 
or puppy mills, either for cash or to gain status among 
their thug-let peers.

 In 2007, several years after the bull dog breed-
bashing, mud-slinging media mishmash emerged, 
the US federal government finally found it’s way 
to illegalize dog fighting in this “culturally correct 
country” of ours, but unfortunately there are still 
thoughtless thugs who think it is cool to train dogs for 
the sole purpose of fighting. They do it for their own 
personal entertainment or for gambling. Herein lies 
one of many reason why I often prefer the company 
of the kind canine to that of the human!

 I have a hand full bull dog mixes on my long list of 
canine clients, and I must say that in my experience, 
they are among the most easy-going, warm and 
fuzzy, furry four-legged friends I could ever hope 
to spend time with. Not to mention that they are 
absolutely gorgeous animals. If you look up the 
breed description on line, you will find that they are 
typically known to be great with children, they are 
very loyal companions and they tend to be carefully 
protective of their masters. Now let me ask you, how 
much better can it get when you are seeking the 
perfect pet for your family?

 One excellent example of why it is all wrong to judge 
a dog by it’s cover, or by it’s breed as it were, came out 
in a January 29, 2014 article on Huffingtonpost.com, 
entitled Dominic The Pitbull Cuddles and Comforts 
Animal Patients At Colorado Veterinary Clinic. It is a 
heart-warming story about a precious pit bull puppy 
that proved himself worthy of having been rescued, 
by choosing to be an advocate for healing on behalf 
of the surgical patients being treated at the Denkai 
Veterinary Clinic in Colorado, where he was taken in 
as a babe. 

DOMINIC THE PIT BULL 



Dominic, a beautiful, blue-eyed silvery coated bull 
dog was only 6 months old when he was first found 
cuddling up to a post-surgical canine patient at the 
clinic where he frequently accompanies his new 
owner, Stephany Haswell on her daily shifts. Stephany 
is a vet technician at Denkai Veterinary Clinic, and 
initially volunteered to foster Dominic until he 
found a forever home. But as it turned out, Dominic 
found his way into Stephany’s heart when he showed 
his full canine colors by practicing amazing acts of 
random kindness in the recovery room at the clinic.

 After the first time Dominic proved to be a positive 
influence on a post-surgical patient, the vet and 
staff decided to let him continue to help his fellow 
canines as they recovered from surgery. Remarkably, 
Dominic seemed to know exactly what each patient 
needed in order to gain strength and get back on 
their four feet! It didn’t take long for Stephany to 
realize that Dominic was a special dog with unique 
talents and that she could never consider letting him 
go to another owner. 

It is no news to any real animal lover that dogs are 
fantastic therapy agents for we humans, right? Not 
only do they perform beyond expectation as pets, by 
sharing their unconditional love with us, but they are 
also willing participants in countless programs that 
allow canines to be kind catalysts for cure.

 Hospitals, prisons, recovery centers and retirement 
homes are among the many entities that include 
canine therapy as part of their health and welfare 
regimen these days, and rightly so. I find it truly 
amazing how effective four-legged fur therapy can 
be for those in need. I am especially pleased to see 
that Dominic, a “pit bull” has chosen to defy what we 
humans may mistakenly make him out to be; among 
a breed that is unworthy of our trust or love. On the 
contrary, Dominic, and several other bull dogs like 
him are examples of why we humans should refrain 
breed profiling.

 I may be preaching to the choir on this one, but I feel 
the need to tell my readers that we must stand by our 
convictions when it comes to defending our beloved 
animals. A person who is willing to foster or adopt a 
dog that may otherwise be euthanized, neglected or 
abused is a saint in my mind. I do not know Stephany 
Haswell personally, but based on what I read about 
her, I imagine she is just that type of person.

 My fellow animal lovers, I encourage you to unite 
in our effort to defend dogs of all breeds against 
wrongful profiling, bashing or banning. Do your 
part to facilitate the therapeutic purposes for the 
existence of all animals, both wild and domestic. 
How hard is it to learn from dogs like Dominic that 
it is high time for we humans to think twice before 
we judge? After all, that potentially-profiled canine 


might just be the one 

sent here to help 

you some day, by 

providing therapy in 

your own desperate 

time of need. Let’s 

try to be more like 

Dominic and so 

many other animals 

we are blessed with 

on this earth; love 

and let live. 

LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND,,, 

THINK ROCKY!! He is a Rottweiler 
estimated to be about 6 years old and weighs 
96 pounds. He is good on a leash and just 
loves people. He’ll come and sit down next to 
you and lean in to be close. His picture says 
it all!! Rottweilers, like Rocky, are robust, 
powerful, and happiest when given a job to 
perform. They love exercise, are intelligent 
and make devoted companions. Rottweilers 
love their people and it is apparent that 
Rocky has been well socialized. He is a 
favorite among our dog walkers. We hope 
you’ll stop in to meet this sweet, affectionate 
boy and consider making him part of your 
family before Valentine’s Day. 

He currently resides at the San Gabriel 
Valley Humane Society located at 851 E. 
Grand Avenue in San Gabriel. We are located 
off San Gabriel Blvd., north of Mission and 
south of Las Tunas. 

 To arrange a ‘Meet and Greet’ with Rocky 
(aka….. 7921), please stop by any time from 10:00am to 4:30pm Tuesday thru Sunday. 
His adoption fee is $135 which includes his neuter surgery, a microchip, first vaccinations and a free 
wellness check-up at a participating veterinarian. Feel free to call us at (626) 286-1159 for more 
information on Rocky. 

 See our website at www.sgvhumane.org for information and photos of all our available pets. 

PET OF THE WEEK 


MARLEY: ANIMAL ID #A4670629 

Meet a great guy, the adorable Marley! Marley 
(A4670629) is a kissy one-year-old brown male 
German Shepherd and Beagle mix puppy who 
was found in Baldwin Park and brought to the 
Baldwin Park Animal Care Center on January 
23rd. Weighing 33 pounds, and with an expected 
adult weight of forty pounds, this sociable fellow 
walks OK on a leash, and knows some basic 
commands. He finds other dogs stimulating, 
and should be properly introduced to canine 


playmates. Marley will thrive in an active 
household, and we think he would be a perfect playmate for children. Marley will be a fun indoor 
companion for an individual or family living in a townhouse or single-family home with a yard. 

To watch a video of Marley, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CN11axNM9AgTo meet Marley in person, please see him at the Baldwin Park Shelter, located at 4275 N. Elton, 
Baldwin Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-430-2378 or 626-962-3577). He is currently available now. 
For any inquiries about Marley, please reference his animal ID number: A4670629. The shelter is 
open seven days a week, 12 pm-7 pm Monday-Thursday and 10am-5pm Friday-Sunday. This is a 
high-intake shelter with a great need for adoptions. For more information about Marley or the 
adoption process, contact United Hope for Animals Volunteer Adoption Coordinator Samantha 
at Samantha@hope4animals.org. 

 To learn more about United Hope for Animals’ partnership with the Baldwin Park Shelter through 
its Shelter Support Program, as well as the many dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes available for 
adoption in local shelters, visit http://www.unitedhope4animals.org/about-us/shelter-support


program/.

DENTAL DISEASE IN PETS - PART I 

 Dogs and cats suffer from dental other organs has been shown. 
disease like humans do. By the The same bacteria found in 
age of 3 years, most pets will have periodontal disease have been 
dental disease unless owners are found in these organs, probably 
practicing preventive dentistry. carried there in the blood. 
The most common dental disease In addition to contributing 
is periodontal disease, which lies to disease in other organs, 
hidden beneath the gums around periodontal disease in pets causes 
the teeth. This causes pain, foul pain, difficulty eating, halitosis 
smelling breath (halitosis), and and finally, tooth loss. These signs 
eventually, loss of teeth. It is the may not be readily apparent to 
most common dental condition owners as animals may conceal 
veterinarians treat. Accumulation pain and other signs may not be 
of plaque and calculus on the noticed. Other dental diseases 
visible part of the tooth is a sign present in pets include tooth root 
that subgingival calculus and abscesses, retained baby teeth, 
periodontal disease are present. malalignment, abnormal wear 
Periodontal disease means of the teeth, and fractured teeth. 
infection and leads to erosion Cavities may occur as well. 
of the periodontal ligament and A contributing factor to 
bone structures around the tooth.periodontal disease is the 

 In humans as well as in pets, accumulation of plaque (sticky 
a critical connection between film of bacteria on the teeth), 
periodontal disease and diseases which, calcified, becomes a hard 
of the heart, kidneys, liver and crust on the teeth called calculus 

or tartar. You can see this on the 
teeth, starting at the gum line and 
traveling down the tooth over 
time. It may become so thick it 
overgrows the gums. The gums 
may be red, swollen and bleeding 
and the teeth may be loose by the 
time owners notice the problem. 

 Your veterinarian can evaluate 
the overall and dental health of 
your pet, perform dental x-rays 
for a thorough oral exam, make 
diagnoses and treat existing 
conditions. A thorough oral exam 
should be performed at least 
annually to detect problems early 
when treatment is less extensive 
and most effective. Senior pets 
require more frequent exams and 
treatment. 

Please visit us next time to learn 
what you can do to guard your 
pet’s dental health. 

www.MonroviaPet.com