One Health

Have you ever thought about how baby animals stretch out after waking up or lying down for while, without ever being trained to do so? Likewise, human babies tend to reach those little arms up and sprawl their legs out after being unwrapped from their swaddle. For both humans and animals, that natural instinct to stretch out after sleeping or lying in the same position for a lengthy period is called "pandiculation." This includes yawning after waking up, which helps us "reset" from the state of slumber. I'm very fascinated by how the instinct to build up our muscles is ingrained in all of us–furry and non-furry–from the very beginning!

What are some of your favorite stretches? What kind of stretches seem to be your pet's favorite?

I have been reading a lot about a dog's special greetings for people they love. It's called, "I Love You Stretch". The dog will put out front paws and belly to ground while looking up to you. Usually out of habit, I comment like,"Big Stretch!" However, I noticed my dogs and cat do it to me. None of them do it to my children or husband. My husband claims one of our dogs does do it for him but I have yet to witness it. So now when I get a stretch I say, "I love you too!" and make sure they are given the same " I Love You " cuddles and pets back from me. I was very excited to read about this recently as I have had dogs and cats my whole life and just thought they were stretching from a good sleep. 

Have you ever thought about how baby animals stretch out after waking up or lying down for while, without ever being trained to do so? Likewise, human babies tend to reach those little arms up and sprawl their legs out after being unwrapped from their swaddle. For both humans and animals, that natural instinct to stretch out after sleeping or lying in the same position for a lengthy period is called "pandiculation." This includes yawning after waking up, which helps us "reset" from the state of slumber. I'm very fascinated by how the instinct to build up our muscles is ingrained in all of us–furry and non-furry–from the very beginning!

What are some of your favorite stretches? What kind of stretches seem to be your pet's favorite?

Have you ever thought about how baby animals stretch out after waking up or lying down for while, without ever being trained to do so? Likewise, human babies tend to reach those little arms up and sprawl their legs out after being unwrapped from their swaddle. For both humans and animals, that natural instinct to stretch out after sleeping or lying in the same position for a lengthy period is called "pandiculation." This includes yawning after waking up, which helps us "reset" from the state of slumber. I'm very fascinated by how the instinct to build up our muscles is ingrained in all of us–furry and non-furry–from the very beginning!

What are some of your favorite stretches? What kind of stretches seem to be your pet's favorite?