Earth Hour: Things You Could Do With Your Dog During This Hour

While we may not match up with what Sydney did last year on Earth Hour, but I’m proud that we are one of the participating cities. As a matter of fact, I’ve been practicing my daily earth hour for a couple of years now. My initiate intention was to reduce my utility cost, not thinking much about the environmental factors. I started out as a weekly event and before long it became a daily ritual since.

Although the amount of money I’ve saved on utility bills doesn’t justify me to go screaming for a pair of Manolo Blahnik…yet, but I’ve gained more valuable things money could ever buy.

Peace. Love. Centeredness.

My earth hour is an excuse for me to spend quiet quality time with my dogs. Of course, quality time with our dogs can be anytime of the day/week/month and we certainly don’t have to wait until Earth Hour to do so. However, most of us spend that quality time with our dogs while watching TV or listening to music and with lights on. How often do we give our undivided attention to our dogs under (almost) pitch-black circumstances? Zippo?

If you surf around the Internet, you won’t be short of ideas on what you’d do during Earth Hour. Unfortunately, I can’t find any activities we could do with our dogs during that time. Well, except for one—walking our dogs. Sound good but I won’t suggest doing that if you live in those participating cities. Too dangerous to be walking our dogs in the unlit streets if we don’t wear reflective type of clothing.

Two Activities You Could Do With Your Dogs Without Lights

1. Canine Massage Therapy: I’ve written an article on the benefits of canine therapeutic massage and a couple of massage techniques, so I won’t rehash it here. Even if you haven’t done so before, no worries, it’s much easier than you think. With gentle circular pressure and a little love, you on the way to becoming an expert on canine massage!
2. Meditation: Dogs are natural born meditators. They also make an excellent meditation partner and they can get you in a meditative mood (Alpha state) very quickly. When your dog is in a resting mode, with your eyes closed, place your hands gently on his chest and feel his breathing rhythm. Slowly and gradually, match his rhythmic breathing with yours. You don’t have to sit in lotus position or for long hours to “feel” peaceful. Just find a comfortable place for both you and your dog. Be still and breathe! Practice this often and soon you’ll experience a different kind of connectedness with your dog. And that I guarantee you!

Setting The Mood For Your Dog To Be Still

It’s very easy to get well-balanced or senior dogs to sit quietly with you without much prep but getting high strung dogs to quiet down for a mere five-minutes can really put your patience to the test. Fortunately, there are a ways to tame down his energy level.

1. Long Walk. After his evening meal, take your dog for a long walk—extend 10 to 20 minutes to his usual daily walk. If weather doesn’t permit, you can always get your dog to exercise on the treadmill or walk him in a mall (if allows). Whatever way you want your dog to “exhaust” his energy, just make sure it is within his physical capability.
2. Essential Oil or Incense Burning. Once home, set up your essence burner around the meditation area. There are many fragrances available in the market, get one that has the most calming effect. Lavender is one of them. If you want to use this hour to do an aromatherapy treatment on your dog instead of the massage, here are some tips on how should canine aromatherapy treatments be done.
3. Shower or Warm Bath. Give your dog a nice warm bath and yourself a refreshing shower/bath. It’s much more comfortable to meditate in a clean and pleasant state of mind. It sets the mood right! You don’t want to be breathing in sweaty odor! I don’t think your dog wants it either! The fragrance from the essential oil can only mask that much of body odor!
4. Disconnect. Last but not least, unplug all phones, TV, and Hi-Fi sets. If you’re not comfortable moving around in darkness, you may want to light up a candle or two near the switch.

Namaste!