Dog Sitter Walks On The Wild Side
Anastasia and I took a short vacation to celebrate her birthday. We arranged to have a friend come to our home throughout the day to take care of our dogs. Not used to walking two 40+ pound boxers, our friend was concerned about what might happen if their activity levels were too much for her. She visualized the two of them dragging her off into the bushes while charging after some prey. There are lots of rabbits around where we live.
She decided that she’d have more purchase on the leash if she’d tie knots and hold onto the leash under them. She knotted the leashes at 6″ intervals. Each knot used up a couple of inches. The normally 6 foot leash was now no longer than 5 feet. She walked them easily. There were no incidents (that I heard of).
After we returned, the dogs and I resumed our daily walks. The dogs were used to 6 feet of leash. And, when they attempted to walk in their customary positions around me, they pulled.
Walking The Dogs
After a couple of days of correcting them for pulling; not understanding why they were straining at the leash, I finally noticed the knots and put the whole scenario together. If I simply remove the offending knots in the leash, we could return to our enjoyable, less stress-inducing walks.
The knots were very tight; frozen in the fabric of the leash. I began the deliberate work of untying them.
When You Come To A Knot In The Leash, Take It
It was difficult to figure out which part needed pulling and which part needed pushing. I traced my fingers over the tight folds, searching for entry points. Experimenting with lifting and twisting, folding and compressing, I wrangled into their inner domain.
More than once, I thought about the story of the Gordian Knot and considered the draconian solution used by Alexander the Great.
The knots finally softened. It was just like massage. There were angles I could push, twist, and pull in. I felt the internal twists in the web loosen. They released their tenacious holds.
Scar Tissue
Eventually they were all undone. The leash did not appear happy. It reminded me of how our male stud Boxer looked after servicing a cute little bitch. Swollen, curled, and contorted. The leash retained abstracted shapes where each of the knots had been. After awhile, they extended to their full 6 feet, and they look like they did before. When I slide my hand over them, however, it’s easy to feel where each knot had been.
If this were a dog, I’d call the remaining impressions residual muscle memory. But it’s not a dog. It’s a leash. One that now has scars in the fabric where thread’s been permanently stretched and/or torn.
Chi, Qi, Life Force
Over the past three years I’ve written blogs about many PetMassage topics. I’ve discussed specific muscles groups, connective tissue, chakras, acupoints, meridians, behaviors, age related concerns, dogs response to touch, body mechanics used in PetMassage, and my perspective on the benefits and indispensable value of canine bodywork.
The underpinning theme is always the same: awareness, appreciation, and ability to feel and influence the chi energy of the dog.
We are all made up of energy. That, and stardust. When we are vital and healthy our chi is strong. When our bodies are stressed, our chi is diminished.
Visualize water flowing through a hose that’s either smooth or kinked. Our chi resources are most abundant and available when our bodies, minds and spirits are freed from the knots, the constrictors, caused by stress to the tissues. PetMassage addresses the stress, wherever it lies, and in whatever form it’s in.
Stress Knots
The knots are the result of stress. They create kinks in the dogs abilities to make sound health and movement decisions. These are the choices that show up that restrict their ADLs, Activities of Daily Living.
Put very simply, PetMassage assists dogs to discover the sources of stress and unlock the holds they have on their bodies, minds, and spirits.
Let’s Have A Conversation
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You know, if you’d like to reread any of them, you can find them all cached on the website under the heading “Helpful Hints.” Anastasia’s Affirmations are all there, too.
Whenever you have questions or thoughts about canine massage, please feel free to contact me personally. I’d be happy to share them and comment on them in this format.
-Jonathan