I don’t think I’ve ever met a dog that didn’t jump for joy upon seeing the leash come out. All the dogs I’ve met know the leash means they get to go for a walk, and there’s almost nothing more exciting, except for food and the return of their owner.

Not Cosmo.

He sat on a pillow on the hardwood floor and refused to get up. Phyllis had attached the leash to his collar. Even when she said, “Let’s go!” and started to walk, he didn’t budge. The pillow slid along the wooden floor with Cosmo still sitting on it. When the pillow stopped moving, Cosmo got up and walked away from Phyllis and the door.

That was before he found his Dharma, or purpose in life.

Cosmo came to Phyllis unexpectedly. Just four years earlier, Phyllis’s mom got a phone call from her friend who worked at an animal shelter. The friend said, “I have just the dog for you.” Phyllis’s mom met Cosmo and agreed, “Yes, this is the dog for me.” At that point Cosmo was about three years old. Two years later it was time for Phyllis’s mom to move to an assisted living residence, and Cosmo came to live with Phyllis, her husband, and cats.

Phyllis suspects Cosmo was bred to be a show dog, but couldn’t because, despite his gorgeous looks, his tongue hangs out ALL the time. He seemed to have never really exercised much, and Phyllis guesses that he probably spent a lot of time on laps or, at the very least, laying down. She said he had no training whatsoever when he came to them, and had never even learned how to be groomed.

So, like most yoga practices, it all started with learning to sit.

After teaching him to sit, Phyllis soon discovered that Cosmo was much more intelligent than anyone could have guessed, based on his lack of training. As Cosmo was learning and developing his skill set, Phyllis discovered So You Think You Can Bark, the signature fundraising event for an organization called Stand For Animals.

So You Think You Can Bark is an animal talent show. Community members voluntarily train their dogs and raise money to support Stand For Animals' Medical Fund which underwrites the cost of medical care and procedures for those in need of the clinic's services.

When the opportunity to do yoga for a good cause arose, Cosmo stepped up to the challenge. He began his training in May 2019, and in February 2020, Cosmo TAUGHT a yoga class for his performance.

Now, I’ve seen dogs doing “yoga” in photoshopped calendars, and I’ve seen plenty of Instagram posts with dogs jumping on the mat or on their owners to “help” them practice, which I love. I’ve never seen a dog roll out his yoga mat, though, bark out instructions, and lead a class.

And that’s exactly what Cosmo did with his trusty assistant Phyllis, who owns Iyengar Yoga Charlotte/The Yoga Center at 8th Street Studio, Charlotte’s very first yoga studio.

Phyllis says Cosmo’s routine is athletic, and he’s done quite a bit of conditioning to be ready for the show. There were times when Phyllis thought they wouldn’t be able to do what it takes to prepare for this level of performance, but committing to this worthwhile cause has changed Cosmo’s life for the better.

Although he is still working on embracing the yogic practice of Saucha (cleanliness—he still doesn’t like to be groomed), he now sees himself as a force in the world and a teacher. He knows he has a job to do—a purpose to fulfill—and he’s eager to share his yoga wisdom with the world.

Watch his amazing performance here.

Speak Your Truth

Do you have a furry friend who “helps” you practice yoga? Show me your favorite pet yoga gif or meme in the comments or send it to me at tami@wellnesswithtami.com!

In wellness, joy, and inspiration,

Tami

P.S. Pets are a great way to relieve stress and open your heart. If you like reducing tension and making space for hope and joy, please sign up to receive my free video series, Release, Reclaim, Renew: 6 Bite-Size Posture, Breathing, and Meditation Tricks to Get Grounded and Raise Your Spirits, Even When Times Are Tough. You’ll get these short videos, available only to my community, and receive my blogs and other goodies straight in your inbox. Click on the link to start feeling better fast.

P.P.S. If you’re ready for more than a quick yoga intervention, join me for one of my livestream yoga classes. There won’t be any pets teaching the class, but you’ll get to an hour of time just to reclaim your peace. Who doesn’t need that? See you soon!