Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, October 28, 2017

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 28, 2017 
8JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 28, 2017 
8
WHAT’S IN A 
WALK? 


For the past 7+ years, it has been my pleasure to befriend lots oflocal dogs in our community, as a dog walker and pet sitter. Onevery occasion that I spend time with my furry four-leggedfriends, I make it my practice to observe their behaviors.
And while we are out walking, I enjoy accommodating theirapparent desire to sniff and investigate certain spots here andthere as we go.

There is nothing quite like being a partner to a pup on awalk around the block. As I have written before in this column, 
dogs are excellent teachers. They live in the moment, andthey appreciate all the little things that we humans often passup. I don’t know about you, but I am overdue for that veryimportant “in the moment” life lesson.

When a dog is on a walk, the main thing that interests themis the smells they detect along the way. The physical exercisethey benefit from is important, but definitely secondary to theenjoyment their nose gets from sniffing the scents their four-
legged predecessors left behind. For a dog it is like reading thenewspaper, or as we often say in this new age of technology…
they love reading their “pee-mails”. 

There are many reasons why it is healthy to allow your dogto take in the smells he finds during a walk. First and foremost,
a canine’s nose is it’s window to the world. Not only does itallow the dog to learn who stopped where previously, it alsoacts as a stimulator for brain activity as well as other importantsystemic operations within the body.

Relatively recent research indicates that the canine’solfactory senses help stimulate it’s ‘urge to purge‘. So, ifyou want “Buster” to do his “business” while on a walk, itbehooves you to allow him to check his “pee-mails” along theway. Beyond the benefits of allowing your pup to investigatethe evidence of previous passers-by, there are other aspectsof the dog’s daily outing that can play a part in his overallwell-being.

What makes us humans think we need to be the ones to 
decide when a dog gets to stop and check the scents on a patchof grass? While I agree it is important to get the dog’s heart rateup for a period of time, the human’s tendency is to be largeand in charge, keeping the dog briskly moving for the entiretyof the walk. I’ve seen folks dragging their dogs along behindthem during an intense run or bike ride. Once I even saw adog having to relieve himself in motion, to accommodate thehuman’s need to keep moving!

In most cases, I believe this behavior has emerged due tocultural conditioning on how we humans are supposed to dealwith dogs. Nuances in our society tell us that we are doing theright thing by forcing our pets to be compliant to our everycommand, regardless of how unreasonable it may be. I say let’snot be “sheeple” to someone else’s warped ideology. I practicemutual respect, always, regardless of the species I am counter-
partner to.

Unfortunately, there are some folks whoview the human-canine relationship as anopportunity to implement their innateneed to be in control. Perhaps they lack asense of control in other aspects of theirlives, so they use their helpless pets as anoutlet for their frustration. It is quite tragicfor the animal. I have seen a couple of dogwalkers around town recently whom Ibelieve fall into this category.

The dogs they walk (typically severalat a time) look fearful. Their leashes arefastened to the walker’s belt - a sign that thehuman prefers to be detached physicallyand emotionally from the animals they 

TOO CUTE TO SPOOK! 



Ready for 
“ M e o w e en,” 
BONGO & GYPSY 
are bonded siblingsand quite delightful!
Bongo, cute tuxedomale, age 2, is 
playful and cuddly.
Gypsy, his gorgeousblack sister, age 3,
is independent but 
friendly and snuggly.
See their video at 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRVMdR-C_gs 

Happy Tails 
by Chris Leclerc 

consider themselves to be dominate over. And the dog’schance of stopping to smell the roses is comparable to a snowball’s chance in hell. It doesn’t take John E. Douglas to interpretthat brand of body language. I’ll leave it at that, in an effort tokeep this “Tail“ happy!

I personally prefer a one-on-one relationship with each ofthe dogs I walk. I will never get rich that way, in terms of thetime I spend with a single dog versus gathering up the troops,
but you can’t buy the heart-felt contentment I get by havingmutually respectful, intimate bonding relationships withthe kind canines I get to spend time with. Indeed, that is thereward I look forward to daily to as a dog-walker.

I consider my animal friendships to be of an equallyreciprocal nature. I respect the dog’s desire to take a breakduring a walk and sniff around a bit. A lot of times I let themdecide when and where they take those breaks. Now and thenI allow them to choose which direction we will take, assumingit fits our time frame. I ensure they get their exercise, whileletting them take part in the decision-making process. I believethey pick up on that and, over time, begin to behave in a waythat keeps us moving efficiently for the workout.

This sense of equality and reciprocated respect in myfriendships with pets has served me very well over themany years I’ve had animals in my life, and in more recentyears as a dog walker it has been most helpful. Rather thandemanding obedience from the dogs, I make it my practiceto maintain a loose leash (remaining ever-ready to tightenwhen necessary) and I talk to them in light pitches usinguplifting words known to translate into positive terms in themind of the canine. 

Research has proven that dogs respond best to positiveterminology. So, if your pup has a tendency to get overlyexcited at the sight of another dog, instead of using strongcommands such as “No!”or “Stop that!”, (or God forbid, usinghand or foot to enforce your demands) try keeping your voicein a mild tone and say such things as, “Good girl/boy, I am soproud of you.” 

Begin these positive chants as soon as the other dog comesinto view and continue until you’ve passed the other dog. Adda gentle pat when your dog behaves well. I believe you will bepleasantly surprised with the results. It may take time, perhapsdays or weeks for some pups, but I guarantee your kind wordswill serve you far better than using harsh commands orphysical reprimands to bring the dog under control.

Be kind to your canine. Let him/her stop and smell theroses. After all, isn’t that we tell ourselves to do? The “WALK” 
is supposed to be for the dog, right? Try to forego your need tobe large and in charge. Speak kindly to your dog and let him/
her be enfranchised in the decision-making process. You’ll beamazed at how easy a dog walk can be. 

They are bonded, 
make a great pair,
and will be adoptedtogether. Call 626676-
9505 for a 
Meet & Greet, or 
see Adoption pagesfor our adoptionprocedures.
Adoption fee is $100for the 2 pals, which includes neuter, microchip, exam& vaccines. Our cats are negative FELV/FIV unless 
otherwise indicated. Can’t adopt? Visit our website for 
easy ways to support our rescue. 


HALLOWEEN & YOUR PETS 


Boo! Halloween in just around the corner. Strangersin costumes, the repeated ringing of the doorbelland abundant sweets pose special challenges formany pets on Halloween night. Help keep your petssafe by considering the following:

• Trick-or Treat: Trick-or-treating is for humansonly. While it may be tempting to take Fido alongfor the candy hunt, rest assured they are best left athome. 
• Sweet Tooth: Keep candy out of your pet’s reach.
All forms of chocolate can be toxic to cats and 
dogs. If your pet does ingest candy, contact yourveterinarian immediately.
• Canine Costumes: Costumes aren’t for everyone.
If your pet wears a costume, remove dangling piecesthat may be a hazard to them. If your pet does notlike its costume, then do not force it on him or her.
• Safe Haven: The safest place for all pets onHalloween night is in your home. Keep your pet 
BEST FRIEND 

safe in the back room during peak trick-or-treatinghours or during parties.

• Identification: Make sure your pet is wearing acurrent ID tag and their microchip has up-to-datecontact information. If your pet does get lost, pleasevisit Pasadena Humane Society or your local animalshelter daily to look for him or her. Photos of allpets at the shelter are listed at pasadenahumane.
org/pets. 
For more Halloween pet safety tips, 
visit pasadenahumane.org/halloween2017.* 
*Halloween Community Event: The Pasadena 
Humane Society is hosting Howlin’ Halloween on 
Tuesday, October 31 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Activities will include Halloween-inspired crafts, 
trivia games with giveaways, candy, and more! The 
event is best suited for children ages 6 to 14. Costumes 
are welcome, but please leave your pets at home.** 

Hot Dog is a very handsome


home he deserves. His adoptionMiniature Pinscher boy 

fee is $130, which includes 
who was surrendered to 

neuter surgery, a microchip, firstthe shelter when his owner 

vaccinations and a free wellness 
passed away. Hot Dog is a

check-up at a participatinglittle timid with meeting new

veterinarian. ID#29087. Feel free 
people, but he seems to enjoy

to call us at (626) 286-1159 forgetting pets once he relaxes.

more information. He currentlyHe has also shown a friendly

resides at the San Gabriel Valleyinterest in being with other

Humane Society located at 851dogs. Hot Dog would love to

E. Grand Avenue in San Gabriel 
find a secure and loving homewhich is located off San Gabriel 
where he can again feel part of a family. He wouldBlvd, north of Mission and south of Las Tunas 
probably do best with another dog in the home toDrive. To arrange a ‘Meet and Greet’, please stop byhelp him transition to family life again. Come andany time from 10:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday throughmeet Hot Dog to see if you are able to give him the Sunday.Website:www.sgvhumane.org. 
THE JOY OF YOGA 
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES 
FALL INTO BALANCE 
Staying stable 
in the midst of 
change is one of the 
greatest gifts yoga 
and meditation 
have to offer. It 

is through practice that we cultivate a stable, calm, clear 
and content state of being. This content state is not 
irritated or rushed, nor is it inert or stuck in any way. It 
is the perfect in-between -- pure and balanced. 

We can create real change in our lives and providelasting support in daily living by identifying the practicesthat bring balance. Creating stability is the best place to 
start. In creating stability and taming restlessness, wemust talk Vata. Vata is one of the three doshas or mind-
body types in Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest holisticmedicinal systems. It’s one of three attributes that makeup who we are.

Vata is made up of air & ether which is closely relatedto wind or vayu. As wind generates movement, so doesVata. In fact, Vata governs all movement; it is the FIRSTto change and (often) to fall out of balance. The other 

THE MISSING PAGE 
Real Life Tips from LIfe's Instruction Manual 
HOW TO GET OVER IT! 


"He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep

pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon

the heart, and in our own despair, against our will,

comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God."

 Aeschylus 

Whoa, it has been a rough few weeks! Now that I 
am coming out to the other side I am experiencingmore growth and clarity. There have been tears,
loss of sleep plus moments of exhilaration. To 
cope, I have let my people love me, and I have enjoyed 
their support. I have been more social and 
more curious. Sometimes I have been angry, butmost of the time I have been sad. That's what it's 
like to be in grief. You just have to roll with it. I 
have been looking for the lesson, and there are afew. I strengthened my meditation practice, and Istudied how others have handled suffering in the 
past. 

Why do we suffer? Well even for me, after years ofstudy and practice, I am reminded that we sufferwhen we insist on attachment. When we resist 
accepting circumstances as they are and toy witha nonexistent, alternative reality, we suffer. What 
it is is what it is. We eliminate suffering when wecan color our experiences neutral. It is not easy, 
but it is necessary. When things don't go the waywe planned, resist the urge to label the experienceBAD. The only way to do that is not to get too at-

two doshas are Pitta (fire and water) & Kapha (earth andwater). These doshas fluctuate based on food, thoughts,
and actions or lifestyle.

The Fall season is Vata season. It’s dry, light, and 
cold (soon we hope). The pace is fast and our calendars 
are full. Finding ways to stay grounded and maintain 
moisture inside and out are essential. Here are a few 
tips: 

1. Eat warm meals, especially lunch. Include some 
root vegetables whenever possible.
2. Stay hydrated with hot herbal tea and avoid cold 
drinks. 
3. Dress warmly to keep the body warm and protectedfrom the wind. 
4. Apply oil to the skin daily through self-massage. 
5. Keep a regular routine, including bedtime.
Make sure your yoga practice is slow and steady! Balancethe momentum of your driven schedule by having yogabe nurturing and rejuvenating. Check out the currentschedule at Yoga Madre, www.yogamadre.com. Feel 
free to email me with questions or further tips: keely@
yogamadre.com. 
tached to the event that we are 
tempted to label GOOD. It's 
neither good nor bad, it just is. Lori A. Harris 


"All the art of living, lies in a fine mingling of holding 
on and letting go." Henry Ellis 

So, how do you mend a broken heart? I use my 
three-step process. 1. Stop telling the story. 2. 
Lose your fascination with the story. 3. Look for 
the lesson. 

It is difficult to heal when we keep repeating thestory to our friends and family members and after 
a certain point, it's no longer helpful. I have a 
problem solver nature, so the third step is my favorite. 
This process has helped me manage seemingly 
big and small difficulties. Having a gratitudeand meditation practice is helpful because I havetrained my mind to look for the good in life andevery situation. That makes it easier for me to 
recalibrate and calm myself. We grow from ourexperiences, and I am in the season of expansion.
I promise you I won't waste it. 

Lori Harris is a lawyer and coach. Learn more 
about her at her website LoriAHarris.com and 
download her app Gratitude Train. 

 
Walter Cailleteau, DVM Free Exam! 
927 N. Michillinda Ave. For New Clients 
Pasadena, CA 91107 Bring this coupon to save! 
(626) 351-8863 


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