Providing my dogs with ample exercise is an important part of their lives. Sasha probably enjoys going for a walk more than anything else, short of getting belly rubs. Exercise is important for us humans, too, so I try to squeeze in as much as I can. One of my favorite activities is doing yoga. The cost of taking regular yoga classes adds up and my time spent there is usually needed elsewhere, so I bought a bunch of half-hour videos I do at home in my living room. This means that I always have an audience – you guessed it, Trogdor and Sasha.

Learning about this yoga thing was very slow for them. When I lay the mat on the floor, Troggie walks on it, then scratches and digs at it as if trying to figure out what it is and why it is situated on the spot where he usually lies to chew on a bone. After the novelty wears off, he just lies on it, so I always have to ask him to move before I can begin.

They also have trouble understanding why I would completely lie down on the mat, perhaps because they never see me do this any other time. They seem to think it’s fun or that I’m trying to play with them. Troggie sniffs and snorts in my face, or nuzzles my neck in play. Sasha drops a toy right next to my head with that “Aren’t we gonna play fetch?” look on her face. Sometimes Troggie thinks it’s perfectly acceptable to use my stomach or legs as a chair, sitting and relaxing while I’m trying to exercise.

I’m finally at a point where I can get them to lie on the couch or go into another room while I’m doing the workout. I used to set them up with a peanut butter-filled Kong, but that only kept them occupied for the first 10 minutes. If at any time I make eye contact with them, they take it as an invitation to play. Maybe what I need to do is get a doga video – yoga for people and dogs. Somehow I think they’ll prefer traditional walks, but maybe some of you have tried doga. What do you think? If you have, did your dogs enjoy it?