PetMassage, LTD.

By Sarah A. Ferrell

FREDERICKSBURG, VA: When I was little, growing up in Eastern North Carolina, we used to pass a fascinating hot pink, sprawling, low to the ground cinder block building labeled, "Gentleman's All Girl Massage" on the way to church every Sunday. Without fail, each week, I would plead from the back seat, "Daddy, can't we stop and see the girls? (There was a painting on the building of a woman in a skimpy, curve filled outfit that looked so much more interesting to me than what Mamma and I ever got to wear.) Or, "Daddy, can WE have a massage?" I had no idea what a massage was, but I knew for sure that my churchgoing, iron-willed Mamma was going to make sure no one got one. So we didn't. But just the word "massage", awakens a mysterious longing in me to know more about this art of laying on the hands.

Here in the South, enduring the arctic winter of 2000, we have been snowed on, iced-over, plowed under and pretty well frozen. The dogs wonder if they will ever see any fields to run again. They are so tired of having to wipe their wet paws and be toweled off when they come inside. Snow has come to mean torture for them. We have suffered cabin fever and have scraped bottoms of our imaginations to stay entertained while we were snowed in and wondering when the ice and snow storms would go back to wherever they came from. We hope when they get there, they stay there.

A few days ago, out of desperation for an activity to do with bored dogs, that did not require throwing anything... I'd been throwing the ball, the fleece chew man, the rope toy; the canvas bumper... You name it, for days, and my shoulder joints were pleading, "No more!" The house was more of a wreck than usual from sliding. Spaniels making retrieves and showing each other and furniture and rugs aside to be first to the object. After much unstacking and reorganizing of several book cases - you know the ones - where you tack all the dog books and training videos that look SO good and informative that you cannot resist buying them - and that you never get time to look at again, I was rewarded.

I found a two-volume set of videos titled, "Pet Massage for Dogs" and "Pet Massage for Older Dogs" by Jonathan Rudinger. My dogs, Pride n' Joy's, Izobel, Margot, CD, CGC, TDI; Pride n' Joy's Sunrise Equinox CD, CGC (both children of FC/CFC Pride n Joy's Sunrise Ringer, MH, CD and FC/AFC Windy Acres Yankee), and Donahan and Phylwayne's Abraham, CD (son of Ch. Donahan's Mark Twain, CD & Ch. Salilyn's Joy of Phylwayne) were now ready to knock each other out of the way to get in my lap for the first massage. With Mr. Rudinger instructing how to hold your hands and how to rub your dog, we began. Dog Massage was not brain surgery to grasp and I was delighted to see how much the dogs liked being massaged.

The basic principles were you hold your hands gently on the dog, stroke from head toward the tail; make sure you are breathing gently, deeply and calmly yourself, and work from head end to tail end and all the bits between. Emphasis is on "gently". (Do not be heavy handed in the least. You are not trying to tenderize tough meat!) If the dog shies away at all you are probably going at it with too much force, or maybe you have found a spot that hurts and could use a looking over by a veterinarian. The head, ears and feet are very important and relaxing massage parts to the dog, so while you are learning, you can focus on doing a thorough massage of those parts as you learn to explore the rest of the dog's body. You're not trying to move anything, just gently stroke and perhaps add a little kneading action as you progress. As I followed the instructions in the video it struck me that massage was not so different from petting, but had more structure and a plan.

Mr. Rudinger tells you to begin massaging for 15 minutes or less. Let the dog get accustomed to this new activity. I found the first few times I did this with three willing spaniels, all trying to get near me at the same time, that five minutes was a good start.

The video explains the many benefits of massage, including bringing increased blood supply to arthritic or sore areas of a working dog, increasing flexibility and range of motion, getting a good overview of any possible lumps and bumps anywhere on the dog, and generally calming the dog. You will enhance the dog's feeling of health and well being as you happen to massage all her acupressure points. You will also have a great excuse to spend more times with your hands on the dogs that you love. When you read the dog training books that talk about the ten second petting rule and perform for petting or spoil the dog rules, you now have a "serious" justified reason to be rubbing the dog.

After a day in the field, especially in cold weather, surely dogs are sore like we are. Rarely does that fine hunting companion get to soak in a hot bath, does he? A massage may be a reward you and your dog both enjoy. My dogs recommend you get the video and do it right. If you would like to read more about these very instructive and well-made video tapes, you can find details and ordering information at Mr. Rudinger's web site: www.PetMassage.com or by calling 1-800-779-1001. I'm so glad I found the tapes in my bookcase... I think I'll go back and see what else I have hidden!