Downward Dog without the Dog

One of our (well, my) daily rituals is yoga. This was something, as most pet owners know, that is oftentimes a team activity.

There are definitely cats and dogs - and goats - that love to just pile on their people as soon as the mat hits the ground. Joe the Dog was no exception.

When he was a puppy, he would inevitably get right up under me or just stretch out on the mat. As soon as the mat was barely in place on the floor, he thought it was placed there just for him. I have to admit, yoga, as is everything, is much more fun with a dog.

He and I referred to this as "Joga". In his later years, he would remain mostly stationary, as I incorporated him into the routines.

Once we moved to the house with a dock, I thought "dock yoga" would be more peaceful and quite obviously more "zen-y".

The best part was that no matter how old and tired Joe was, or how long it took (I would try to get my chaturangas / flow done by the time Joe made it to the end of the dock), he could be counted upon to make the long trip down to the end.

Joe the Dog Walking on Dock

He never was comfortable enough on the dock to sit or lie. But would wait patiently for me to head back. And I would always walk with him. And wait for him.

The little tap, tap, tap, taps of his feet on that dock seemed to act as a metronome in the timing of my yoga routine. And like a clock, I could always count on Joe's persistent footsteps. Find his precious face and speed up my routine to lessen his efforts.

Those sweet footfalls are a memory. The sound of leaping fish keeps me company now. And I still await that smiling face as I finish my routine, take a breath, and listen for the sound of Joe the Dog.

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