Doggies beware: Book tells owners benefits of meditation

[DoozyDog]

Sunday, January 22, 2006

"How to Meditate with your Dog" is James Jacobson's first book. Jacobson is the president of Maui Media, LLC. The author is pictured with his much loved Maltese, Maui, on the book cover. James Jacobson graduated with honors from the University of Virginia with a degree in rhetoric.

A master at self promotion, author James Jacobson states that "Dogs are natural mediators, and this gift book introduces a non-dogmatic approach to meditation that gives people and their dogs a whole new leash on life."

Chapter Five is titled, "When Your Dog Won't Meditate With You." The following is an excerpt:

"Gently pushing our dogs' haunches back to the ground signals the dog that we want him to keep lying down. If we do this consistently, our dogs will eventually learn to stay put during meditation.

Be patient. Worthwhile things are worth the effort. Henry Houdini taught his Terrier bobby to escape ropes, handcuffs, and even a little doggy straightjacket. But I bet that Bobby didn't catch on during the first try.

Be aware though, that even when our dogs like meditation, they may, at times, choose not to participate. The process of helping our dogs finds their inner dog can require what I call active compassion, known in human circles as tough love."

Those who are mad about dogs may enjoy this extreme meditation make over. It is chock full of doggy puns.

The book comes with a free meditation CD. More information can be found at the author's Web site: www.dogmeditation.com.

Correspondent Reba J. McMellon can be reached at rebaj@mindspring.com or P.O. Box 161, Hurley, MS 39555.