Meet Mr Barley: The Key Element to my Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual Wellbeing

This is my dog Barley, a big Goldendoodle bundle of fun weighing in at a mere 37 kilos!

They say a dog is a man’s best friend, right?  I’d never really paid much attention to this saying to be honest, I was a cat person my whole life. Cats are easy to look after, totally independent, requiring only food and water with you deciding how much time to spend on cuddles.  They are quite practical in this way, fitting in to your life rhythm and routines. 

Then a friend of mine suggested I get a dog. I had lost two cats to the busy road near my house and sworn to no more pets. But a dog? I decided to give it a go and, well, my life was transformed. Who knew getting a dog could have such a positive impage on mWe had a rocky start, though.  A puppy is NOT an independent being and I was overwhelmed with Barley’s 24/7 needs.  Life had to adjust to “dog schedule”.  There was no down time, a bit like having a child! But now I can’t imagine life without his unconditional love and trust.  He is never too busy or tired for cuddles and fun.

I’ve given him his own webpage on my website because he’s a key element of my physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing. He inspires me to cultivate a sense of joy, lightness and playfulness in my practice. And as you can see, it turns out he’s a yoga dog too!

I dedicate a chapter in my book Not for the last time to our journey together.

Ready for a wellbeing boost? Barley has his own Instagram account mrbarley15 where he shares his adventures – follow his daily posts and enjoy seeing the world from a (large) dog’s eyes!