My favorite photo shoot to date is the one I got to do with my beautiful pup, Rayless.  I was so excited when I found out she got to join me, and made sure she was groomed, fluffed, and her name tag was bright and shiny for the big day.

When we arrived on site people swooned at Rayless’ majestic like features and her bright white fur coat.  The first few photos were taken with me walking her down the street, up and down sidewalks, back and forth in stairwells, and the entire time she was completely behaved and so patient.  Our Yoga4Dogs Doga sessions have become a successful addition to her ongoing training. 

The photographer was impressed at her willingness to do so many poses (sit, lay down, stay) on such a quick command that the session with Rayless ended up becoming his main shoot of the day.  As you can see, the pictures turned out to be nothing shy of fabulous, and that day will be one I will always remember!

This is the latest flight I have taken out of town so far on my National Tour.  By the time I landed in Portland it was already getting dark and starting to get VERY cold!  I live in an area where seasons don’t happen and even as we speak it is mid November and almost 80 degrees outside, so when I looked out the plane window and saw huge tress in gold, oranges and reds I got so excited to experience a true Fall!  The scenery was absolutely breathtaking.

That evening I focused on going to the local PETCO and picking up the props I needed for the show I would be on the following morning.  The store I pulled up to was nestled on top of a small hill and as usual the staff were very friendly and helpful.  Bundled up and trying to stay as warm as possible, I loaded up my rental car and headed to my fantastic hotel.  I was taken by surprise when the hotel clerk stated I would be in the Executive Suite and practically skipped my way to the room door!  I decided to have a relaxing night of room service, a movie and going over my talking points so that I would be well rested and prepared in the morning.

Monday

Waking up bright and early, I got ready and left the hotel to get to my segment on the ABC affiliate in Portland.  I was doing a pre recorded set and had a full six minutes!  Six minutes on a TV segment is almost twice as long as I would normally have on air.  I was actually a little bit nervous with so much space to fill.  I was helping a cute little Beagle mix named Freeta to try and get adopted while working with her on the Yoga4Dogs portion of my set. The first four minutes went off with out a hitch, and then came the yoga with my hyper little helper.

Freeta was super excited to be around so many people and regardless of how hard I tried every couple of seconds she was leaping, not jumping, but LEAPING out of my arms to run off the set ha ha!!   I started laughing because it was just too cute and too perfect, especially considering I was already nervous that morning…  We ended my piece with not only me, but also the host and the crew around us, all in stitches at this silly little dog!  It was such a fun morning; I truly do hope Freeta found a good and active home.

The Yoga4dogs DVD and Cooking4Canines Cookbook make great holiday dog gifts and can be purchased at Yoga4dogs.com

Yoga4dogs takes to the Skies

Long Beach!!  I haven’t been to that part of California since I was about 9 years old.  My parents went to a lot of conventions in LB while I was growing up, and one time they let me join them.  Everything felt so massive and magical, but I guess everything should that young.  Going back I had a certain vision in mind and was completely caught off guard by reality. Yoga4dogs.com Website

The drive from the Long Beach Airport to the hotel in which I was staying was a little rough to say the least.  I was traveling alone, I didn’t even have Rayless, and so even just stopping at certain stop lights made me a little nervous, I guess this is how personal growth happens.  Luckily I soon came to the street where I needed to turn and before my eyes laid a beautiful marina!  The farther I drove the more I saw how amazing these yachts and sailboats really were.  There was a marina park and even a lagoon where kids were playing and running across bridges.  I was very happy with this surprise and literally turn for the better!  This night was great, I settled into my hotel and walked over to the Pine Ave Pier where I had fresh sushi and enjoyed a beautiful sunset, peaceful bliss.  Later that evening I met up with some new friends that I am starting to work with on a couple new projects.  We went out to a fabulous dinner and managed to get lost a few times ha ha!

Sunday

Today I am doing a Yoga4Dogs class at the 2010 Walk/Run for Animals.  It’s an annual event that Long Beach holds where proceeds are donated to help local shelters and rescues.  The day was perfect, about 75 degrees and the event was full of avid animal lovers ready to tackle the walk/run with their pooches by their sides.  Yoga4dogs Charities

I held one Doga class that afternoon that had a fantastic turn out and was able to make mention of two local rescues trying to adopt out dogs.  The feeling of being able to share a new spin on how to get people and their pets healthy while promoting shelters is a gratification I will never be able to explain.  The event ended early, it is football season after all, and I managed to see the Cardinals win the first game of the season as I waited to board my plane.  What a terrific ending to a short yet sweet weekend trip!

 

Yoga4Dogs DVD | Yoga4dogs Facebook

Saturday

Wow, off to New York City and I am beyond excited!  Luckily my mom was able to accompany me on this part of the tour and she was definitely amazed at the opportunity to go.  The plane ride was just about 5 hours and we ended up flying into JFK Airport on the anniversary of 9/11, needless to say everyone was nervous and a little on edge to be in the situation we all shared.

21 Floors Up, Sunset

Up bright and early, we got ready for the upcoming event with time to spare and decided to take a walk around Midtown New York and stumbled upon a local diner.  The diner was buzzing with sounds of the locals sharing stories from the night before, silverware clanking and all sorts of different languages and accents filled the air.  I wasn’t very hungry due to the butterflies in my stomach for the class only an hour away, so my mom and I shared some fabulous blueberry pancakes and I enjoyed some much-needed coffee.

Hudson River Pier

We arrived at the Hudson River (or Riverside Park) a tad early and were able to visit the petting zoo that was set up for all of the attending children, brilliant crowd driver!  I was planning on instructing three classes at this event, and while the first one went very well, the other two were dismissed due to unforeseen rain and cold weather.  Thank goodness I brought a nice jacket!  Since the event was closed down shortly after the rain started, my mom and I ventured over to the Hudson River Pier where we enjoyed hamburgers and live jazz bands while people danced with their kids in the rainy streets.  It truly was a beautiful and freezing experience, but worth every goose bump on my body.

 We took advantage of the extra night before heading home and made our way into Rockefeller Plaza and Time Square.  My mom had never been to New York and I wanted her to see every part of it we could squeeze in on such a short trip.  My mom loved being there, although specified many times… only to visit. 

Hudson River Event

http://www.yoga4dogs.com

Monday

My car pick up this morning was incredibly early!  I woke up before the sun rise, and got to watch the sky change from a dark purple to rose, then gradually orange and finally blue with a bunch of white fluffy clouds.  It truly was worth the early morning wake up call just to watch the beauty unfold right in front of my eyes.

 This trip was dedicated to Denver, Co; a place in which I had yet the pleasure to visit.  I

The Brown Palace Hotel Downtown

 was so excited to jump in my rental car and head downtown while gawking at all of the wonderful brick buildings that stood and held so much charm.  I arrived bright and early at a tall standing brown hotel and was in awe when I saw the 9-story indoor stairwell from the lobby.  Truly incredible.  My PR representative did a fabulous job in booking me such a breath-taking place to stay.  Downtown was bustling while the “Taste of Colorado” event was being held, so I decided to treat myself to a very luxurious in room dinner and a movie to avoid the risks of wandering around by myself in such crazy crowds.  I made the right choice and enjoyed every minute of relaxation!

 Tuesday

Monaco Hotel Hallway

 This is my first TV segment and tour stop completely independent of the ladies from my PR agency and unfortunately Rayless wasn’t able to accompany me either.  As I was sitting in my car trying to plug in the address to NBC studios I realized my navigation system was totally on the fritz, oh no!  I had ten minutes to get to the studio, which should have only been a mile down the street from my hotel, but with the navigation directing me in complete circles and the roads closed from the event, I ended up rushing and stressing to get to the studio by 8am.  With only minutes to spare I ran into the NBC lobby, grabbed the shelter volunteer with the two adoptable dogs we wanted to showcase on the segment and we ran into the back to meet with the hostess of the show.

Power company building, downtown Denver

Three minutes to get in so much information goes so quick!  The segment, regardless of the fast paced morning, went off without a hitch, thank goodness!  I had almost 6 hours to burn before catching my flight back home and was able to get in some great shopping time and even a nap.  On the plane ride home I met an interesting older gentleman and the hour and a half flew by (no pun intended) while I was distracted by great conversation.  Finally, home to see Rayless and my two kitties, I always miss my babies when I’m gone and always am excited to greet them when I arrive home!  

Yoga4dogs Website | Rayless | Cooking4Canines Cookbook

16th Street Shopping

Littleton, CO Summerset Festival

Wednesday

Rayless's First Flight

Today is literally day 1 of my National Media Tour.  I didn’t sleep very well the night before but regardless I did fall asleep and with a gigantic smile on my face!  I woke up bright and early with a ton of “to do’s” on my list, including prepping Rayless for her very first flight ever!  

Once we arrived at the airport everyone was so excited to see that I had a beautiful puppy with me and treated her and I both very well with prompt service and I was taken immediately to the front of the line.  Through out the entire check in process the hardest part was watching two men wheel Rayless through a door and behind the scenes knowing I wouldn’t be seeing her again for almost 3 hours.  While my heart broke just a little, I knew she was in great hands! 

After enjoying a fantastic burger and fries, I boarded the plane and was whisked away to West Hollywood to begin the first city tour among a long list of others.

Thursday

This is the day for all of my media training and some shopping as well with the girls from the PR Agency that hired me.  I brought Rayless, of course, and we headed out to Santa Monica in the late morning.  Parking is absolutely crazy in LA and sometimes not even a reality!

Beverly Hills-West Hollywood

 Once the long eight-hour day of training was over, new yoga outfits were bought and stowed away in the back seat; Rayless and I began our freeway journey back to the hotel.  I was hoping to get some rest before running off to another meeting, but the time constraints were pretty tight!  My pup and I both grabbed a quick drink and loaded back up in the car and headed to Hollywood to meet with a producer regarding the possibility of a new reality show.  This whole day was fast paced, full of non-stop events and as always so much fun! 

Bedtime came very early, as the next morning would be dedicated to two TV segments and again lots of travel!

Friday

Why does the alarm have to sound what seems like right after you close your eyes the night before?!  I popped out of bed, and while still exhausted from the previous two days was so excited to get back in front of the camera!

CBS Studios

My PR Rep met me in the hotel lobby and greeted me with a huge smile and even bigger cappuccino.   We had the valet pull up my fabulous rental car and took off to the first segment filmed on KTLA.  The set ended up being outside and the weather was perfect!  The main hostess from the Millionaire Matchmaker and Mel B from the Spice Girls were also guests that day so it made the entire situation even more surreal and exciting!  The second segment was a CA affiliate on CBS.  I did a table and chairs set with a super nice anchorwoman and both segments had dogs available for adoption, which was the most important part.  I really do hope all three of the puppies I show cased find new homes and soon! 

Saturday

Homeward bound!!  The LAX Airport was absolutely horrid and hectic, Rayless and I managed to make our way through the madness and I finally got onto the plane.  For more on Yoga4dogs click here!

Lifestyle expert and doga instructor Amy Stevens on KTLA Los Angeles sharing natural living tips to better the lives of both people and their pets. Her signature Yoga4Dogs program and Cooking4Canines dog cookbook can be purchased at yoga4dogs.com

The 5 Natural Tips include:

1. Natural pet foods don’t contain chemicals, preservatives, added sugars or artificial flavors. With holistic foods, you can see fewer allergies, healthier skin and coat and leaner body mass.

2. Use natural grooming and plant-based skin care products. A daily brushing with a natural bristle brush helps exfoliate the skin and shows your pets how much you love them.

3. Try interactive toys made from with sustainable and recycled fibers and vegetable-based dyes – no chemicals to chew on!

4. Biodegradable poop bags break down in just weeks, where traditional plastic bags can take centuries to be absorbed into the earth. For kitties, there are also eco-friendly litter options made of corn, paper and pine pellets.

5. And stay active with your pet – it’s a bonding experience. Yoga is great for balancing the mind and body, as well as building strength – Amy will show you how to practice yoga while including pets big and small.

All products are available at your local PETCO store!

Today more than ever people are not feeling as safe and protected as they did back in the good ol’ days.  Security is increasing in alarm systems, better locks on doors and even to the extreme of a firearm in the night stand drawer.  How many people actually consider their dog??   Guard dogs can go anywhere with your family, and if they’ve been approved, work very well with children.

Dogs have become an important part of our lives and families.  These days our four legged friends are taking part in anything from dog yoga to doggie day care.  Many pet parents even have made it a priority to purchase dog cookbooks and make them healthy meals.

Studies show that dogs, as well as being the family pet in every day life, will always be on alert and can offer fabulous protection for you and your family, both at home and while you’re away.

Professionally trained to alert its owners to the presence of intruders, guard dogs show their instinct by barking, growling or any other threatening manner. Statistics say that most crimes occur in residential areas, over half of them are committed in broad daylight and sometimes the occupants suffer harm.  Having a dog in your home to protect you prevents a large number of crimes.  In fact, a potential offender will always think twice before messing with a large dog that looks fierce and is in attack mode.

It is very important to match the guard dog to your personality and lifestyle.  There are a wide variety of dogs that act best as protection dogs.  This list includes: Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Bull Mastiffs, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds.  These breeds have natural instincts for guarding the home and their families.  Not to mention their sheer size and of course deep, powerful barks also make them a wonderful intruder deterrent!

Save a life while protecting your own, adopt a dog today and make a fantastic addition to your family, all while knowing how much more secure your home and loved ones are.  Visit your local shelter today, donate to get causes like the ASPCA and use the internet as a great resource for finding local protection training courses.

Yoga4dogs and Petco present the ‘Great Downward Dog’ yoga class led by pet yoga instructor Amy Stevens in California.

Yoga4dogs and Petco team up!

On Saturday April 10th, Yoga4dogs and I were invited to participate in the PetCo Natural Neighborhood Festival.  PetCo decided that they wanted to revamp their image and let pet owners know that they are ready to jump on board with the trend of natural, healthy and better ways to raise and care for pets.  I was so excited to be a part of the new campaign and think it is fabulous that PetCo is turning themselves around for the better!

 I arrived early morning on the beach of Santa Monica, hot coffee in hand and ready to tackle the cold and cloudy day.  The first couple hours I spent socializing with the PR Firm that hired me and part of PetCo’s marketing team, some of the most down to earth and friendly people I have ever encountered.  I was scheduled to do a Yoga4Dogs class at 10am and was taking inventory of all of the dogs and owners coming into the event.  The outcome was amazing, and within the first hour of being open we were looking at almost a hundred people.  My class ended up being pushed back to 10:30, which gave me plenty of time to prepare myself and the space to ensure everyone had plenty of room to spread out with their pups.  

 10:30 is here and I have a class of around twenty people complete with all different shapes and sizes of dogs.  I decided to do my “Small Dog” workout from the Yoga4Dogs DVD and modify a few moves for my large dog owners, that way everyone could participate and experience the class, a memory I am sure no one will soon forget.  I was lucky enough to have a dog trainer participating in the event let me have her dog, Tasha, a black lab, for the duration of the class to demonstrate the poses and have the class a little easier to follow along with.  The class went off without a hitch, and lasted for about 40 minutes.  Behind me, I had ABC news filming, multiple other media taking notes and pictures and people whispering how fantastic the whole scene is, trust me, that was an amazing feeling!  The class went so well I was asked to do a second later that afternoon and was interviewed including pictures taken for a few hours after the first class, a huge compliment!  

 The entire event was from 10am until 4pm and in total over 400 people attended, a fabulous turn out.  During my participation I also met a few pet celebrities, including Dr. Marty from Good Morning America and the Dr. OZ show, the wonderful woman who wrote the Cat and the Dog Bible, who also has her own radio show, and of course Tilman the Skateboarding Bull dog.  I love being a part of the pet industry, the people and animals are all so friendly and fantastic, every single event that I attend, I meet people who become friends and I feel like I fit in so well, this is what I was meant to do.

-Amy Stevens