Mountain Views News, Sierra Madre Edition [Pasadena] Saturday, April 1, 2017

MVNews this week:  Page A:8

JUST FOR BEST FRIENDS

8

Mountain Views-News Saturday, April 1, 2017 


HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc

RUFF DAY AT 

THE OFFICE

THE JOY OF YOGA


RELAX INTO IT

When my sweet pup, Molly first came to live with 
me and my husband, she was so afraid of being left 
home alone, she would rip the entire place apart 
trying to get out and find us. It took us literally years 
to convince her that she would be okay while we were 
away and that we would return in short order.

 I believe part of Molly’s fear was brought on by 
the fact that her original owner, Frederick Alfaro 
had never once left her alone during the three years 
she lived with him. Then, when our dear Frederick 
passed away, five years ago this May, I do believe 
that Molly’s fear of being left home alone was even 
more intensified by having been present when he 
fell suddenly ill and was taken by ambulance to the 
hospital, never to return home again.

 And so it was quite the struggle for the first couple 
of years that we had Molly in our home. She insisted 
on going with us everywhere we went. We tested the 
waters numerous times by leaving her behind when 
we went out on brief excursions, only to return to 
find ripped window shades, mangled moldings and 
the bloodied paws that caused the chaos.

 To prevent our home from being completely 
destroyed by our precious yet fretful pet, we took 
her with us everywhere we went for many months. 
Because of my line of work, I was often unable to let 
Molly to tag along with me, so my husband was kind 
enough to let her join him when he went to work 
each day. This arrangement was made possible only 
by the fact that Rick has an antique store where Molly 
wouldn’t (for the most part) hinder daily operations.

 One day I decided it was time to make another 
attempt at leaving Molly home alone. I left for an 
hour and much to my pleasant surprise, I returned 
to find that she had, at last, learned to relax and 
enjoy the safety of her home. She came calmly to 
me when I opened the door. There were no signs of 
destruction and it seemed she’d been sleeping the 
entire time I‘d been gone. Ever since then Molly has 
been holding down the fort while we go about our 
daily activities.

 We were fortunate to have had the flexibility of 
Rick taking Molly to the shop, but most pet owners 
are not in the position to do so and at times it can 
become a real problem. Of course, there are pet sitters 
and walkers such as myself to help shorten the day for 
the dog somewhat, but even then it can be stressful 
for an owner to have to leave their beloved pets home 
alone all day.

 The good news is, a new trend seems to be 
emerging on the horizon among forward-thinking 
business owners, which could make it much easier 
for pet-owning employees to meet the obligations of 
their occupations, bring home the bacon and be there 
for their pets, all at the same time!

 More employers are beginning 
to recognize that their pet-owning 
employees are more productive on 
the job if they are not preoccupied 
with what their dogs might be doing 
at home alone. These brilliant bosses 
have found that operations go much 
more swimmingly when employee’s 
pets are allowed to join them on the 
job. Most of today’s dog-friendly 
workplaces are of the creative and 
technological persuasion, but the 
trend is catching on and many say 
it’s the wave of the future.

 Roger Vincent’s article Canine to 
Five, in last Sunday‘s LA Times Business section is 
what inspired my thoughts on this exciting subject. In 
it, Vincent recounts his visits to a couple of LA’s work 
places where he met plenty of pleasant pups along 
with the chief “eggs” and a few property landlords 
who swear by the movement toward dog-friendly 
working environments. As long as the rules are 
laid down and complied with, it’s a win-win for all 
involved.

 The presence of kind canines in the work place 
is guaranteed to help create a familial ambience in 
the office. To most folks, doing business in this type 
of setting is much more desirable than that of the 
historically-typical stuffed-shirt conventional setting. 
The cold and uninviting hyper-professional work 
environment is all but completely passé nowadays. 
Those who’ve invited “Fido” in say their clients feel 
way more welcomed and relaxed in a dog-friendly 
setting.

 But it’s not all tricks and treats when it comes to 
adding pets to the work place. There are a few realities 
that have the potential to cause problems when it 
comes to intermingling the career with the canine. 
For example, there may be pet-free coworkers who 
are allergic to animals. Then there are those who are 
sincerely fearful of dogs. Clearly one can’t choose 
pets over people in the office, can one? (I suppose it 
depends on who you ask!)

 Then there is the issue of coordinating pet potty 
breaks with personnel productivity. Although, this 
is not necessarily an insurmountable concern, it 
is something to be considered. In my mind, logic 
follows that dogs who spend more time with the 
people they love, are more likely to fall into a regular 
routine based on the routine their people maintain 
throughout day. I mean, people have to go potty too 
sometimes, right? I imagine it’s not unlike how it goes 
when the dog is home with his human.

 Further, an owner who loves their dog enough 
to take him to work is more likely to be responsible 
enough to pay attention to when it appears the 
pup may need to go. And while there may be 
interruptions unique to a dog-friendly work setting, 
there will also be less of a rush for folks to get out 
and go home, since the reason many employees rush 
to get on the road is the furry four-legger already 
laying next to their desk!

 All in all, I think having a dog-friendly work 
environment is a fantastic idea. And it doesn’t surprise 
me at all, that many businesses are following the lead 
of the creative and tech industries by allowing dogs 
on the job. It just goes to show how important our 
pets really are to us. There are few things in life that 
can have such a positive impact as that of a precious 
pup!

Yoga is about 
becoming free of 
struggle. There 
may be a challenge 
and we may push 
our limits, but we 
don’t struggle in yoga. There are many techniques 
used to accomplish this. Accessing a nourishing, 
full, deep breath and finding a sense of relaxation are 
probably two of the most important.

 Have you noticed how a deep breath can change 
things? Finding even, smooth breaths changes our 
physiology and greatly affects the Sympathetic 
and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems. When 
we breathe in a deliberate way, the energy and 
the mind are soothed and refined. The road to 
freedom and letting go can be found this way. 

 With the breath as a catalyst, yoga allows us to 
find relaxation and cultivate a sense of ease. It’s 
when we find the rhythm of relaxation that we are 
able to go deeper in yoga. Deep physical relaxation 
is found in savasana, the final resting pose. 
However, mentally, the mind is being soothed 
throughout practice. If the practice is approached 
by trying “too hard” or wanting to accomplish, 
then the profound sense of relaxation and letting 
go is not going to happen.

 You’ve probably come upon this principle in 
other areas of life. Letting go allows abundance 
and exerting too much self-will is ultimately 
limiting. Relaxing into practice and agreeing to be 
fully present will break down resistance and create 
freedom on all levels.

 Come and practice with us at Yoga Madre. Learn 
what exerting great effort and feeling comfortable 
feels like at the same time!

 

Love and Namaste,

Keely Totten

E-RYT 500, Yoga & Meditation Teacher


THE MISSING PAGE

Real Life Tips from LIfe's Instruction Manual

NO LONGER A YES WOMAN

Are we having fun yet? If you 
have to ask the question, then 
the answer is no. There was 
a time in my life when offered an opportunity, I 
always responded, “yes”! I did the same when 
someone asked me to help. Sometimes I had 
amazing adventures, and sometimes it left me 
tired, worn out and resentful. It is important to 
train yourself to be able to decline an invitation. 
We are not meant to do everything. There are 
some events we are going to have to miss. There 
may be times when you will need to turn down an 
assistance request. It is not only good self-care, 
but it’s also honest. Give yourself permission to 
make yourself a priority. It is an excellent way to 
set the standard for how others will treat you. It is 
great modeling for your children as well.

 When I said yes to everything, I was hurt, 
confused, resentful when other people told me 
no. I didn’t understand why someone would not 
do everything since I was running myself ragged 
trying to do it all. 

 Rest is important. Taking time to be still is 
restorative and can recharge your creativity. 
Time is the great equalizer. Experts say that we all 
get the same 24 hours, although it doesn’t always 
seem like we do. My mentor encourages me to 
use my calendar as a tool to achieve my goals and 
manage my activities. It is my biggest challenge, 
but it is essential. Whenever I find myself feeling 
pressed for time, I review my goals and I find it 
is easier to get back on track. When I remind 
myself why I set a goal, it is easier for me to follow 
through with completing a task.

 If you are feeling time challenged, perhaps you 
could start by recording how you are spending 
your time. After keeping a record for a few days, 
your schedule may reveal what’s eating up your 
days; then you can make adjustments. If you find 
that your days are not reflective of your priorities, 
then cut out those things that do not bring you 
joy. 

 News flash: Your children do not need to 
attend every birthday party or participate in every 
activity offered. They need quiet time too. They 
need not be rushed from school to music lessons, 
to ball practice or a playdate. Get out of the car 
and sit down. Find joy in your life and help your 
children enjoy having peace in theirs.

 

 Lori A. Harris is a lawyer and empowerment 
coach that helps women that women live their best 
lives. You can get more tips and find out more 
about her at www.LoriAHarris.com and download 
her free app the Gratitude Train in Google Play and 
the App Store.


LOOKING FOR A BEST FRIEND


Clyde was picked up on the streets of San Gabriel. 
He appears to be a Chihuahua mix with a “Chi” 
look. Clyde was bit timid when he first arrived at the 
shelter, but with some gentle socializing and regular 
walks, loves the company of people. He is very 
comfortable with the staff and volunteers, and enjoy 
getting pets and lap time, sharing kisses in return 
for a back scratch or belly rub. Clyde is social with 
other dogs, and enjoys playing with them or with 
toys. He loves walks and is easy to manage on the 
leash. If you have room in your life for a delightful 
little dog, come and meet Clyde. His adoption fee is 
$130 which includes 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 Clyde. ID#25391. 
He 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 Clyde, please stop by 
any time from 10:30am to 4:30pm Tuesday through 
Sunday.Website:www.sgvhumane.org. 

 The San Gabriel Valley Humane Society is one 
of five finalists for the Animal Planet Pet Nation 
Renovation grant of $50K in repairs for our needy 
shelter! Please visit the link and vote for us, we need 
your support! Thank you!!! It would be great if you 
could share this and ask your friends to vote for us 
too!! http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/pet-
nation-renovation-interactive/#vote


KATNIP NEWS

JOEY, age 1 1/2, is such a handsome boy, with white under his chin. He is so comfortable that you 
can rub him anywhere. No area is too sensitive. Joey gets along well with other cats, too. Highly 
adoptable. Call to arrange a Meet & Greet, 626-676-9505. Tax-deductible adoption fee is $100, which 
includes spay, microchip, exam & vaccines. A great savings! Our cats are negative FELV/FIV unless 
otherwise indicated. See more pictures, videos, adoption info & application on our website, www.
lifelineforpets.org. Sorry, we are not accepting cats at this time. Can’t adopt? See our website for how 
to sponsor a kitty.


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