Mountain Views News          Saturday, August 27, 2016

11

HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

Mountain Views-News Saturday, August 27, 2016 


THE JOY OF YOGA

IMPACT OF CONSCIOUS BREATHING


Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

THE CAREFULLY, CREATIVELY 
CATERED CANINE

One of the most 
impactful yogic 
practices by far 
is pranayama. 
Yogi Master, 
TKV Desikachar 
remarked “if you can breathe, you can do yoga”. 
The breath not only sustains life, but it shapes 
energy and is responsible for the mind-body 
connection. There is no asana (poses) needed to 
consciously breathe.

 The very first pranayama to learn is called sama 
vritti, or equal wave breath. This means making 
inhale and exhale even, smooth and equal length. 
While this sounds simple enough, this can be 
challenging because people established patterns 
in their breathing, favoring one over the other. 
The highly motivated, driven person typically 
has a stronger inhale. Healers, teachers and 
meditators find exhale to be easier. In this pure 
breathing (sama vritti) technique, it allows the 
scales to balance and both sides of the breath are 
addressed. The inhale brings power and vitality, 
while exhale facilitates a calming, restful, 
releasing response.

 Further tuning into the subtleties, refining the 
rate of respiration and eliminating unconscious 
pauses is key. The breath is deepened, lengthened 
and smoothed out. This application is what changes 
vital life force energy (Prana). Present moment 
awareness is established and the mind is calmed 
and nourished. The impact of the breath is not just 
physiological, it is psychological. We are changing 
underlying patterns and creating a new, positive 
response to stress. I caution though, it is advised, 
to begin a breath practice under the guidance 
of a qualified teacher. As you progress, help and 
guidance are necessary to maintain stability. 

 How often do you find yourself holding your 
breath in a moment of fear or stress? Think of 
this occurring during the course of a day. How 
would life change with conscious, smooth even 
breath? Asana will help you breathe better and 
gain access, but the power of pranayama is where 
it’s at.

Namaste, and Love,

Keely Totten

Much like us humans, our dogs sure do love their 
food. Fortunately for me, my girl, ““Molly” is not 
extremely choosy about what she will eat. She seems 
to enjoy every morsel of food she is fed, and she 
particularly looks forward to those morning and 
evening hours when she knows it is nearly time to 
dine.

 Like clock work, she comes to me and stares me 
down relentlessly with her desperate look, prodding 
me until I quit whatever I’m doing, and fill her bowl 
with that night‘s dinner delight. I’m pleased that 
she’s not spoiled about what‘s for dinner, because 
it allows me the opportunity to feed her healthy 
options that a pup with a pickier palate may not be 
willing to eat.

 Not all dogs are as flexible as mine when it comes to 
their diet. As a matter of fact, I know several canines 
who are much more selective, and the expectations 
at meal time can become quite demanding, even for 
the most dedicated of pet owners. Perhaps this is 
why there are so many canine catering companies 
cropping up these days. It seems crazy when you 
think about it, that people are investing as much as 
they do in simply feeding the family dog, but it’s true 
and it’s yet another sign of how much we love our 
pups.

 Purchasing or preparing gourmet foods for ‘Fido’ 
has indeed become a sort of norm for many pet 
owners in recent years, resulting in an over-night 
thriving market for a new-born food product line 
that caters strictly to canines. Among the recently 
established canine cookeries is a company called 
“Three Dog Bakery”, founded by Dan Dye and 
Mark Beckloff of Kansas City Missouri in the mid 
1980‘s.

 Dan and Mark, a couple of true animal lovers who 
simply wanted to do the best they could to care for 
their pets, were initially inspired by their own dog, 
“Amazing Gracie” (born deaf and partially blind) to 
research the ingredients of the dog food products 
available in the market at the time. Their goal was 
to find a dog food that contained the most optimal 
ingredients to help combat Gracie‘s inherent health 
issues.

 Eventually they came to the 
conclusion that the best way to 
ensure Gracie was getting proper 
nutrition, was to prepare her 
meals themselves. Ultimately, 
after coming up with some great 
recipes, they found themselves 
in the position to share what 
they’d learned with the general 
public by marketing their dog 
food products in hopes of helping 
other pets with similar health 
issues. Today, Three Dog Bakery 
stores can be found in almost 
every state within the US, and they continue to 
grow and thrive as a classic “American Dream” 
start-up company.

 What I like most about the Three Dog Bakery 
story is the fact that the founders were inspired by 
the love they had for their dog. When they were on 
a quest to find the best food to feed their beloved 
canine, they weren’t focused on founding a company 
to make money and get rich, but as a result of loving 
their pet and making her health a priority, they were 
blessed with success.

 It may sound corny to some, but to me that is 
indeed the best success story to be told, where 
unconditional love is the source of success. When 
one is focused on doing what is right and beneficial 
for the greater good, versus a pursuit to pad the 
pocket book to benefit one’s self, some pretty 
amazing things start to happen. I’m sure many dog 
owners have reaped the benefits of the foot work 
behind Three Dog Bakery’s amazing pet foods, all 
because of Dan and Mark’s sincere endeavor to give 
their dog a happier, healthier life.

 I was personally inspired to leave my corporate 
career to pursue a way of living that would allow me 
to spend more time with my own pets. Eventually, 
my personal pursuit led me to start a small dog 
walking and pet sitting business, allowing me to 
be with a variety of animals all day long. It goes to 
show that if you follow your heart you just might 
find true happiness and success in doing what you 
love best.

 Well, at least it worked for me. I encourage 
everyone who crosses my path to pursue what really 
makes them tick, and try not to focus on how rich 
they might get by what they choose to do. After all, 
doesn’t chasing our dreams present an equally, if not 
more challenging risk than many of the other things 
in life we find ourselves chasing?

 I find it quite liberating to let go of the obsession 
to fulfill my own needs and greed’s, and instead use 
that energy to follow my heart’s leads; that of caring 
for the animals. Which brings me to the end of this 
week’s happy tale, so I’ll close with a phrase you‘ve 
all heard me say - Love and let live!


Fall in LOVE with these two siblings, age 2 months. 
Lily is all white, and Freddie is a tabby. They are very 
sweet, lovable, and cuddly. They are very bonded 
and will be adopted together, which will qualify for 
our Twofur Discount. Adopt now to enjoy their cute 
kitten antics and get double licks 
& kisses!

 Lifeline for Pets is a small no-
kill rescue organization, and we 
know our cats well. We show 
some of our cats most Sunday 
afternoons at Petsmart, 3347 E. 
Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena, 12:30-
3:30. 

 Adoption fee is $100, which 
includes spay, microchip, & 
vaccine. Our cats are negative 
FELV/FIV unless otherwise 
indicated. 

 See adoption application, more pictures, & videos 
on our website, www.lifelineforpets.org. Or call 626-
676-9505. Sorry, we are not accepting cats at this time.

 Facebook: www.facebook.com/lifelineforpets.
pasadena. Email: info@lifelineforpets.org 

LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND?


Poker Face is a gorgeous 
black and white 3-year-old 
girl who loves to explore. 
She can be a bit shy with new 
people, but is a sweet cat with 
playful personality and just 
needs a loving home. When 
Poker Face finds a special toy 
she likes she will often play 
”fetch” and chase it when it’s 
thrown. Offering her a toy 
like a tangling feather, will 
capture her attention and 
be the way to her heart. You 
might think her name means 
she doesn’t show emotion, but 
look at her cheerfully sticking out her tongue at 
the photographer demanding attention. She was 
actually named Poker Face because at the time she 
came into the shelter the staff that named her was 
listening to the radio and the song ”Poker Face” by 
Lady Gaga was playing! Poker Face is looking 
for her forever family that will provide her with an 
environment to blossom. She gets along well with 
her roommates so she’ll do well in a multi-cat home, 
or on her own as a sole companion. Please stop by 
and meet Poker Face today and consider giving her 
a forever home. She qualifies 
for the $25 reduced adoption 
fee in honor of National Black 
Cat Appreciation Day from 
8/15-8/31/2016.This adoption 
fee includes spay 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 Poker Face. She currently 
resides at the San Gabriel 
Valley Humane Society 
located at 851 E. Grand 
Avenue in San Gabriel which 
is located off San Gabriel Blvd, north of Mission 
and south of Las Tunas Drive. To arrange a ‘Meet 
and Greet’ with Poker Face, please stop by any time 
from 10:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday through Sunday.
Website:www.sgvhumane.org. Go 
to smile.amazon.com and find the San Gabriel 
Valley Humane Society and every time you buy 
something 0.5% will be donated to the shelter! It’s 
easy to do and helps the shelter with every purchase 
you make! Let your friends know about this simple 
way to make a difference!


PET OF THE WEEK: SUSAN: ANIMAL ID #A4982777


Susan (A4982777) is a spiffy, 
polka-dot 8-year-old white-
with-black spayed female 
Dalmatian and Parson 
Russell Terrier whose 
owner’s family surrendered 
her, along with her friend 
Abby [A4982776], to the 
Baldwin Park Animal Care 
Center on August 13th 
because the woman who 
owns her is in hospital and 
most likely going to hospice, 
and the family does not want 
Susan. Weighing 20 lbs and 
sporting piggy-big ears, 
Susan has a heck of a history. 
She was once a stray girl, hanging around a tennis 
court in Costa Rica—that is, until she was rescued 
by the woman who became her mom and owner, a 
woman who went through all the paperwork and the 
quarantine required (not to mention money spent) to 
get Susan home to the US with her. Susan has all the 
pluses of a dog who’s been loved and cared for. She 
walks fine on leash, gets along with 
other dogs and people, and is alert 
and ready to roll. She and Abby are 
bonded, but volunteers think Susan 
would do fine on her own (as would 
Abby) given her sweet and confident 
nature. Susan will make a splendid 
inside pet and companion for just 
about any individual or family. To 
watch a video of Susan, please visit 
the following link: https://youtu.be/
Q6NlcrRroGk

 To meet Susan in person, please 
see her at the Baldwin Park Shelter, 
located at 4275 N. Elton, Baldwin 
Park, CA 91706 (Phone: 626-962-
3577). She is currently 
available now. For any 
inquiries about Susan, 
please reference her 
animal ID number: 
A4982777. 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 
Susan 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, 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/.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com