Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, November 11, 2017

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS Mountain Views-News Saturday, NOVEMBER 11, 2017 
8JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS Mountain Views-News Saturday, NOVEMBER 11, 2017 
8
Happy Tails
HAVE A GRATEFUL 
DAY WITH YOUR 

by Chris Leclerc

GRATEFUL DOG 

Not too long ago, during a walk with “Brown”, one 
of my favorite four-legged friends, it seemed we bothshared an unusually heightened awareness of howblessed we are to be alive. We two were very contentjust to be walking together and enjoying the weather.
Along the way we came across an unexpected subtleyet powerful Sierra Madre treasure.

This somewhat hidden treasure could have easilygone unnoticed, but somehow that day it caught myeye and it had such a positive impact on me that Idecided to share it with my readers. After all…tis theseason, right?

Many thanks to the kind neighbor who lives onFairview Ave. for placing this lovely treasure in theplastic letter dispenser you have erected in your front


yard, for passers-by such as Brown and I to enjoy! 


GRATITUDE: 
(Source: A film by Louie Schwartzberg, www.
MovingArt.TV)


You think this is just another day in your life. It’snot just another day. It’s the one day that is given toyou - today. It’s given to you. It’s a gift. It’s the onlygift that you have right now. And the only appropriateresponse is gratefulness.

If you do nothing else but to cultivate that responseto the great gift that this unique day is, if you learn torespond as if it were the first day of your life, and thevery last day, then you will have spent this day verywell. 
Begin by opening your eyes and be surprised thatyou have eyes you can open. That incredible arrayof colors that is constantly offered to us for pureenjoyment.

Look at the sky. We so rarely look at the sky. Weso rarely note how different it is from moment tomoment, with clouds coming and going. We justthink of the weather, and even of the weather we 
don’t think of the many nuances of weather. Wejust think of good weather and bad weather. Thisday right now has unique weather, maybe a kind ofweather that will never exactly be the same that isright now. The formation of clouds in the sky willnever be the same that is right now. Open your eyes.
Look at that. 

Look at the faces of people that you meet. Eachone has an incredible story behindtheir face. A story that you couldnever fully fathom. Not only theirown story, but the story of theirancestors. We all go back so far.
And in the present moment on thisday, all the people you meet, all thatlife from generations and from somany places all over the world, flowstogether and meets you here like alife-giving water if you only openyour heart and drink.

Open your heart to the incrediblegifts that civilization gives to us. Youflip a switch and there is electric 

light. You turn on a faucet and there is warm waterand cold water and drinkable water. It is a gift thatmillions in the world will never experience.

So these are just a few of an enormous numberof gifts to which you can open your heart. And so Iwish for you that you would open your heart to allthese blessings and let them flow through you. Thateveryone whom you will meet on this day will beblessed by you; Just by your eyes, by your smile, byyour touch - just by your presence. Let the gratefulnessoverflow into blessing all around you, and then it willreally be a good day.

So there you have it in a nutshell…give thanks forthere is much to be thankful for! I believe in God, 
our Creator. He is the source of this gift of today,
yesterday and tomorrow. Today, be grateful to Godfor this unspeakable gift.

We Americans are blessed beyond reason. In thebig scheme of things we have little or nothing tocomplain about, yet there are times when we seem towork hard at finding something that will prevent usfrom simply having a grateful day.

Through all the years of my life (and trust me,
there have been many) I have learned that animals,
particularly dogs are great at being grateful. Today,
why not try letting your pup’s appreciation for all thelittle things in life rub off on you so you can be gratefultoo? They say that thankfulness is contagious, and Ibelieve it will happen if you’ll let it. Above all, don’tforget to love and let live. 

MUSA, THE MAGNIFICAT! 


Meet MUSA, the 

Magnificat! Yes, 

he’s a magnificent

boy, a senior, 

actually. Age 11

but you’d never 

know it! Musa is 

healthy, playful, 

and cuddly! His

owner has passed

away, and he has

been waitingfor another forever home where he can enjoy hisgolden years in comfort, with love and pampurring! 
Won’t you open your home and heart for thisvery dear boy? He is currently being fostered at TheCats Pajamas in Pasadena, where you may call for aMeet & Greet, 626-449-1717. Many senior cats areoften forgotten or overlooked. If they are given achance to shine, they blossom with love. With goodcare they can live many more years. Adoption fee 

BEST FRIEND 

Valentino is a handsome 7 1/2 

loving guy, then Valentino 
year old gentleman who wears 

is the Bachelor you should 
his tuxedo with style and grace 

choose! Please come in to 
worthy of the designer with 

meet him. November is Adopt 
whom he shares his name. He 

a Senior Cat Month! His 
is a little timid on approach 

adoption fee is $39 this month 
but quickly accepts attention 

and includes neuter surgery, 
and loves to have pets that 

vaccinations, microchip and 
turn into massages of his soft

a free wellness exam at a 
fur. Valentino is a calm boy 

participating veterinarian. Feel 
and is happiest just hanging 

free to call us at (626) 286out 
with people. His wish is 

1159 for more information. 
for a bed next to a window to 

He currently resides at the 
watch the world go by. His play 

San Gabriel Valley Humane 
style is slow and go. Valentino 

Society located at 851 E. Grand 
is a smart guy and knows he 

Avenue in San Gabriel which 
can’t catch the laser red dot, 

is located off San Gabriel Blvd, 
so he usually doesn’t bother 

north of Mission and south of 
to chase it. He likes to have a 

Las Tunas Drive. To arrange 
toy or feather fly by for him to 

a ‘Meet and Greet’, please stop 
swing at. He will do fine in a 

by any time from 10:30am 
multi-cat family, or love to be to 4:30pm Tuesday through 
your sole companion. If you’re looking for a calm, Sunday.Website:www.sgvhumane.org. ID#12117 

is $100, which includes neuter, microchip, exam &
vaccines. We also have a Senior for Senior Discount 
at $50. Our cats are negative FELV/FIV unlessotherwise indicated. 

See more pictures, adoption info & application onour website, www.lifelineforpets.org. Can’t adopt?
Visit our website for our easy ways to support our 
rescue. 


THE JOY OF YOGA 
HEALTHY LIFESTYLES 
GOOD OLE’ ASANA 
The immense 

benefits of 

practicing yoga 

never cease to 

blow my mind. 

I am continually
in awe and wonderment over the unique benefits ofeach individual pose. Asana practice affects everythingfrom function of the physiological systems of the bodyto the psychology of the mind. There are more subtle,
yet profound effects on the energetic body as well. Theasana practice of yoga can change the shape of yourbody, quiet your mind and uplift your mood.

Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
is a pose that crosses over several categories of asana.
It’s a backbend, an inversion and an extension. Head 
to toe is invited to participate in this one! It energizesand rejuvenates the body and the brain. It relievesstiffness in the legs and shoulders while it strengthensthe legs, chest, and the arms. Finding the alignmentof downward dog is key to finding comfort there andbeing able to stay in the pose (if you are ok to bearweight on your hands in that position). Once you findthe proper “stack of the bones”, muscles activate, breath 

THE MISSING PAGE 
Real Life Tips from LIfe's Instruction Manual 
LEARNING TO RIDE THE WAVE 


“Mindfulness is the best way to be with our sufferingwithout being overwhelmed by it. Mindfulnessis the capacity to dwell in the present moment, toknow what’s happening in the here and now.” Thich 
Nhat Hahn 

There are many paths to mindfulness. I have been 
meditating in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanhfor four years; it is a nontheist form of Buddhism.
I was attracted to the practice because of ThichNhat Hanh’s close relationship with Martin LutherKing. I grew up in a very traditionally conservativehousehold, so it’s kind of weird to think of myself asa Buddhist. 

It’s practice. We will never achieve perfection.
Each day is new, and we strive to become aware, tostay awake.

Sometimes I sit in silence. I endeavor to be 
conscious of my breath. Sometimes I notice as 
the breeze passes through my nostrils. Sometimes 
I watch my breath as my chest rises and falls. If I 
am careful, and the moment is just right, I cancatch that tiny instant between the rise and the fall.
Appreciating our life requires awareness, and thereis so much going on around, and within us, we forgetto notice and enjoy life and the things that happenin between that which seem like big events. It is 

integrates and a beautiful symmetrical posture results.

Chair Pose (Utkatasana) is a must have pose - atleast in my class. In fact, students are surprised whenit’s not included in a sequence! Most simply, chair poseinvolves sitting in chair that’s not there - with armsoverhead, in line with the ears. Practiced correctly, thispose is the all natural yogi espresso. It invigorates on alllevels. The body is warmed and mobilized. Respirationand inhale are developed. Any shreds of stagnation fallaway with this pose. The muscles of the back, abdomenand thighs are activated. It encourages a backbendin the upper thoracic spine which naturally affectsand improves posture. It is a fantastic pose - I highlyrecommend it! 

Keep practicing and enjoying the benefits of thephysical practice. It will give you motivation to beactive and provide relief from the stresses of life. Visitus at Yoga Madre, see our schedule of classes at www.
yogamadre.com. 

Namaste, 

Keely Totten, - enjoying the benefits of yoga & 
meditation one day at time 

difficult to maintain neutrality,
and that is where we suffer. We 
love the highs, but we lament


Lori A. Harris 

the lows, we suffer. Life is what 
is happening in between the rise and the fall.
When we feel good, sometimes we want to clingto that feeling and hold on for dear life, breathethrough that impulse. If something seems bad, let it 
go. Don’t clench up and resist it.

Just ride the wave; even the tsunami eventuallyloses its power.

We need not become attached to our 
circumstances, but we do. When we are hurting,
it is tempting to search for a means to avoid everfeeling again. Rather than engaging in attempts tocontrol life and outcomes, let’s allow our pain totransform us and appreciate our happiness, let it 
nurture us. Nothing last forever, whether it’s good 
or bad. Don’t worry about the future or dwell in the 
past. That is where the pain exists. This moment 
is all that matters. When we can remind ourselves 
of this moment, we remember that everything isalright.

Lori Harris is a lawyer and coach. You can learn 
more about her at LoriAHarris.com and on her 
Gratitude Train App. 

 
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