Blood pressure relieved

A FRIEND recently visited the doctor and was told that his blood pressure was rather higher than it should have been and something needed to be done to remedy the situation. He expected to be given the usual drugs, told to rest, and to have all the rich foods that he enjoyed banned from his diet.

But no! His prescription read: Get a dog, take it for two long or four shorter walks daily. When not walking the dog make sure that it receives plenty of grooming, patting, healthy meals and backyard games.

He complied with the prescription and his blood pressure duly reduced to better than normal. The doctor was very pleased with his progress. Then he got to like it - he started going to the shows, experiencing frustration and loss as well as the occasional win; having to drive through weekend traffic to the show venues; and all his friends were convinced that his blood pressure must have now deteriorated to the point where it was back to where it had started from. But not a bit of it!

Shortly after that he had a doctor's appointment and it was found that his blood pressure was as good as a healthy 20-year-old. What made the difference?

It appears that having a dog to be responsible for is good for you. Apart from the therapy of all the patting, brushing and companionship there is the exercise and health that is equally experienced by the human taking the dog for its walks ... and in addition there is the enthusiasm for the shows that this man developed as his physical health improved, developing the 'mental health' aspect.

Which all reminds me of another friend, a Kiwi who often lived in Pakistan. Whenever she came back to New Zealand her blood pressure began to rise slowly to danger point. Her remedy was to go back to Pakistan (she served as a volunteer working with refugees) and begin with two weeks in the mountains in a goatherd's hut eating unleven bread and goat cheese, and sleeping on floorboards. She assured me that it works every time! - EP

What does a dog breeder do on holiday?

ANSWER - she visits places of canine historical interest of course!

In St Petersburg Nicole spends some time with the theatre's Borzoi. The theatre raises funds by charging tourists a small fee to have their photographs taken with the dog and one of the theatre officials.	On a tiny Estonian island this old wolf was a leader of his pack. He has now taken his place in a small but informative museum that records the history of the local wildlife.