Chilling With Your Best Friend

Here’s a different way you can relax and enjoy your pet’s company.

By Faith Salsburg, Best Friends Network Volunteer

In today’s world we are all looking for a little comfort, a little relaxation. Far away from war, gas prices, a sagging economy and all our other troubles. It is a new, but priceless relaxation technique. Read a bedtime story to your dog.

Many of us already consider our dog our canine child. We know it is good to read to a child. So, the obvious next step is to read to our dogs. That is just what Lony Ruhmann of Pasedena, California has done. He has put together a book of bed-time stories for his dog. The idea was so positive and unique that Lony is trying to get his book published.

This phenomenon began when Lony’s puppy was very sick with distemper. The dog could not stand to even go out. Lony began by reading spiritual encouragements to his puppy. The puppy pulled through, and over the years, Lony continued to read to his growing dog. But by now, he was actually creating stories for his dog.

Fast forward seven years. He has written several dog themed short stories. The stories are intentionally short, in order to appeal to a dog’s short attention span. Ruhmann has put everything together in a book for dogs, BITE THIS BOOK. Per Ruhmann, reading a bed-time story to Fido strengthens the human/ canine bond and provides tranquility to both species.

In some cases, Ruhmann has been harshly criticized for his book and his theories. Whatever your stance on reading to your dog, you cannot deny that at least for a few moments each night, dog and man must slow down and relax. Now, I wonder if this will work with my cat?

Article posted by Brandi Bennett, Best Friends Network Staff

Photo courtesy of Best Friends Network Volunteers