When I told my husband that we needed "dog energy" in our house, he looked at me as if I had three heads. I'm used to this look. As the poster girl for "Yoga-As-The-Answer," this is the same look I get from my husband when I mention to him that one of my chakras is out of alignment, or that I'm having trouble focusing with my third eye. "Maybe your third eye needs glasses," my husband will say from across the dinner table, devouring his steak and mashed potatoes, as I sit opposite him with my plate of quinoa and kale. If opposites attract, we're living proof.
Dog energy is different from human energy. Dog energy is pure. There are no filters, no biases, no conditions on how they love or who they love. So long as you love a dog, that dog will love you back. There are none of the games that we experience while dating, none of the disappointments that may set in with a long term partner. You don't have the complexities that inhibit even the best friendships, or the whining or defiance of children. Dog love is unconditional. Dog love rules.
We decided to go the foster dog route. A friend referred me to Castle of Dreams, a local animal rescue in Central New Jersey.
Six weeks ago, we brought home Brock the Cocker Spaniel.
Brock is happy. And that's what I mean by dog energy. Dogs bring happiness wherever they go. They radiate their positive little vibrations out to the universe and generously share them with whatever humans inhabit their living space.
Apparently, there is something to my "dog energy" observation, because according to WebMD.com, dogs help lower blood pressure and lessen anxiety, which assists with the maintenance of overall health. "People in stress mode get into a 'state of dis-ease,' in which harmful chemicals like cortisol and norepinephrine can negatively affect the immune system, " says Blair Justice, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health and author of Who Gets Sick: How Beliefs, Moods, and Thoughts Affect Your Health. WebMD goes on to say, "Like any enjoyable activity, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine — nerve transmitters that are known to have pleasurable and calming properties."
I dedicate the first moments of my day to centering myself with meditation. And while I have certainly found my "zen" in this practice, nothing beats the zen of spending time with Brock. Not only does it give me the calm that I achieve from meditation and yoga, but it gives me that calm mixed with that awesome dog love, that leaves you feeling tranquil yet exhilarated all at the same time.
Even my husband has bought into the dog enthusiasm. But he won't be buying a bushel of kale any time soon. Maybe one day…
Namaste, Divas!
©2012 Ilene Evans
PS Thanks Denise for doing the link up!
What a great perspective. I totally get dog love. We have 2 Samoyeds and they definitely have that love and energy. Thanks so much for linking up!
Thanks for stopping by! So glad you have the dog love going in your house, too. It’s the best! And thanks for the link up! xo Ilene
This is SO true. I definitely have to show this to my husband 🙂 I’ve been wanting a dog for a long time and I think it’s about time! (Came over from the Link Up)
Thank you for coming by! Oh, dogs are the BEST. Between a dog and your running, you will be swimming in Zen 🙂