A girlfriend, Robbi, invited me to a Muttopia event. This event turned out to be a fundraiser for a pet rescue. Robbi found out about it online and shared the link to sign up. Neither of us had known of this animal rescue before nor, had we gone to any events.
Robbi and I take turns planning new places and fresh events to share. Robbi Sommers Bryant happens to be a published writer too. She is past president of Redwood Writers Club and works as a freelance editor. I will post a bio below and ways for readers to get in touch.
I got a bit frustrated with myself when I drove in and discovered the rural setting. I hadn’t read the description and did not know if the Hatha Yoga with rescue dogs would be held inside or out. Visitors were directed outside to a fenced courtyard. Luckily, I had several light jackets on, a baseball cap plus warm socks inside my boots. Dressed warm enough to participate I felt glad they loaned me a yoga mat.
Four Volunteers Steered the Muttopia Event
Two experienced teachers led the Hatha Yoga sessions, while two female volunteers brought out the first group of rescue doggies. Puppies. Black Labrador looking puppies came stumbling and tumbling over to the youngest person in our group. An eight-year-old boy lay on his mat while they mobbed his face and hands.
The rest of us sat quietly in a modified lotus pose or a lion pose. Leaders had cautioned us to stay quiet and not reach for the dogs. So, we let them roam and snuffle. Watching the pups investigating the trunk of a tree, I was glad I’d put my handbag up into the opening between the branches. Yes, they marked it. Organizers stood prepared with pooper scoopers and a bottle of white vinegar to clean up any accidents.
No self-respecting dog would not RSVP to his pee-mail.
Soon, we stood in the mountain pose (Tadasana) for a grounding feet to sky stretch. Next, we attempted the tree pose (Vrikshasana). I say attempted because trying to balance on one leg comes as quite a challenge while watching our visiting canines dashing around.
What a joyful way to do Hatha Yoga. I could not stop smiling. Robbi and I took some dog greeting breaks, sitting on our mats, and petting curious mutts and pups. Before our class concluded the teacher taught the bridge pose (Setu Bandhasana). Most attendees knew it. Only three out of over twenty had never done Hatha Yoga before that day.
Rescue mutts came to us, sniffed, licked or waited to get a scratch behind their ears.
As the class came to the final pose, we reclined in corpse pose.
Stretching under the trees
Loved being under the mature trees. Yet due to asthma my breathing had extra changes. A great deal of pollen drifted down and settled on us, as well as fall leaves.
Compassion Without Borders
CWOB is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to providing a brighter future for animals in need on both sides of the border.
This nonprofit organization states four main purposes.
- International rescue program for dogs with backgrounds of homelessness and neglect from Mexico.
- Central Valley Dog Rescue: California Central Valley Dog rescue due to severe overcrowded shelters.
- Local Veterinary Wellness and Spay/Neuter: Animal wellness clinics in low-income, underserved neighborhoods in the U.S. that provide access to veterinary care for dogs and cats in need
- Mexico Veterinary Wellness and Spay/Neuter for free and low-cost veterinary care and spay/neuter services.
A Call for Volunteers
I so enjoyed my time with all the volunteers that I am considering becoming a regular dog walker. They need more volunteers from Sonoma County to walk dogs, cuddle puppies, and socialize scared rescue pets.
Find Adoptable Muttopia Dogs Now
When you click this link it will take you to the Muttopia page for dogs in Santa Rosa or fostercare nearby. Please tell them Deborah sent you. Compassion Without Borders Adoptable Dogs
Donate or Join the International Organization
I met a dog in La Paz, Mexico, a few years ago. He stood looking at me through a sliding glass door as I sat writing at a table outdoors. Such a calm and sweet natured dog, of course, he charmed me in less than a minute. His dog mom said she belonged to Compassion Without Borders. She rescued hundreds of dogs along with her group of volunteers. That handsome and groovy big dog came off the streets as a rescue then she adopted him.
(I will have to find my dog friend’s photograph from La Paza.)
If you love dogs, do read the Whole Dog Journal for tips on food selection and other vital health tips. Here is a link to a recent post: Some Dog Food Recalls Are More Critical Than Others
Robbi Sommers Bryant’s award-winning books include a novella, four novels, five short-story collections, and one book of poetry. Her work has been published in magazines including Readers Digest, Redbook, Penthouse, college textbooks, and several anthologies. As editor in chief of the Redwood Writers 2018 anthology, she supervised the creation and publication of Redemption: Stories From the Edge. Robbi’s work was also optioned twice for television’s Movie of the Week, and she appeared on TV’s Jane Whitney Show to discuss her article, “A Victim’s Revenge.”
Robbi is past president of Redwood Writers (350 members) and currently serves as vice president. Her professional focus is on developmental editing, content editing, copy editing, and proofreading. She is also a professional writing coach. Find out more at robbibryant.com
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