Marley & you

Okay,so he’s ripped apart your expensive silk cushions,ravaged your cosmetics,eaten your favourite pair of sneakers,terrorised the neighbours,mauled your flower beds,pugmarked your crochet bedspread and hogs like there’s no tomorrow. And you wonder whatever happened to that cute,little adorable puppy you brought home? Well,he grew up,developed an extremely intelligent (master of blackmail) personality,and gave you the chase. Dogs will be dogs. The naughty ones can really make you curse,but God forbid if that mutt goes missing,you’ll be first one to howl and take out a full-fledged search party. “That’s the effect a dog has because at the end of the day,he’s your true companion,” says veterinarian Dr CB Singh of Get Well Dog Clinic. “In fact,today,pets,especially dogs are medically recommended for people,more often the elderly,suffering from loneliness,any kind of depression or boredom,” he cites a BBC case study wherein dogs are trained to take care of children with physical and mental ailments. “In cases of autism,down syndrome,for the visually challenged,a dog is the best answer,” Dr Singh adds now the medical world calls pooches ‘companion animals’. “And we are pet practitioners for companion animals,” he brings home notes from a world conference on the same.

Talk dog therapy,and a new study reveals that there is a 30 per cent reduction in the risk of having a heart attack in households which have a dog. According to an Australian study at the School of Population Health at the University of Western,dog owners are 68 per cent more likely to achieve the recommended level of physical activity per week than non-dog owners. On the contrary,India,which is likely to account for 60 per cent of heart disease patients worldwide by 2010,has a meager 14 per cent households with pets! “That’s why we are here,trying to create awareness on the benefits of keeping a pet. A dog not only keeps your stress-free,he keeps you happy,on your toes,disciplined and provides a company which is always compromising – he never argues,never questions,there’s no difference of opinion,just a happy woof and wag. Where,among humans,will you find such an unconditional company?” Dr J C Kochar,senior Vice President of SPCA points out. Going by their over-zealous attempts to hug,cuddle,roll over for tummy rubs,jump at the word go,paw for attention and lick for affection,it does stand true!

“People who keep pets have an open nature,they are more friendly and receptive compared to those who don’t,” adds Dr H S Growar who runs his clinic in Mohali. According to him,dogs can provide excellent social support,stress relief and other health benefits. “They’ll encourage you to go out and exercise,and once we are out in the park,we tend to stop and talk and increase our social network. He takes the stress off which is a major reason for cardiac arrest. He truly is a constant companion,” he says.

Elsewhere,in the world,a new fad is catching up and goes by the name of Doga – Dog plus Yoga. “On the path to health and inner harmony,doga shows the way,” write authors Jennifer Brilliant and William Berloni in their book,Doga. From the triangle pose,pup pose,boat pose,breath control,sun salutations – a dog knows how to stretch and exercise,and humans are following. It turns out the quest for zen is not just for the hyper pups of New York. Doga has spread to Seattle,San Francisco,Jacksonville,Canada,and even Japan. Guess it’s time to sign up for some real dog therapy!