No longer "alternative," the Eastern healing arts are gaining widespread acceptance in America, with acupuncture, Chinese herbal remedies, and plant-derived treatments becoming more and more recognized as powerful treatment options for pets as well as people. Now it’s high time to explore Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese science of achieving balanced flow of chi, the vital energy force that animates all things.
Like many Eastern practices, Feng Shui has gained credibility throughout the West for its proven ability to enhance human health and prosperity. In Los Angeles, Dr. Stacy Fuchino, VMD, a.k.a. "The East-Meets-West Vet," incorporates Feng Shui in his veterinary practice.
"I integrate Eastern and Western veterinary medicine, to explore that intermediate area where we can achieve optimal pet wellness," Dr. Fuchino explains. "There’s more to medicine than what we have in the Western world."
In the world of dog training, behaviorists speak of "corrections" that modify a pet’s behavior to be more compatible with our lifestyle. With Feng Shui, corrections are made to the home—the pet’s environment—by means of color and material selection, as well as placement of furniture and other home accessories. These adjustments, whether large or small, help to improve the flow of energy (chi) in our environment. And that improved energy flow, in turn, positively affects the energy flow in our dogs’ bodies, resulting in improved wellness and a better relationship between our pets and us.
Feng Shui also works to pinpoint Sha (bad elements) in a dog’s environment, correcting anything that could be detrimental to balanced energy flow and creating optimal alignment of Spot’s accessories, both the ones he wears on his body (collars and leashes) and the ones that decorate his environment (his sleeping area, eating area, and play area). Feng Shui can even help a dog owner make the best shopping choices for her pet, bringing healthy harmony to all parts of Spot’s environment through the proper placement of key items such as beds, bowls, and feeders.
With Feng Shui, specific areas of the home may be targeted to achieve specific results in our dogs. If, for example, one has just adopted a shelter mutt who may have suffered neglect or abuse, one may harness the principles of Feng Shui to energize the "Wealth and Prosperity" and "Memories" locations in our home, with the goal of balancing out the dog’s previous unhappiness. Or, if one lives with a champion show dog, one may energize the "Recognition and Fame" and "Career Prospects" locations to improve his overall performance at competitions. In times of illness, simple adjustments may energize the "Family and Health" location in the home to improve a dog’s chances of recovery, whether his condition is minor or life-threatening.
On a lighter note, Feng Shui can also help brighten the design of an interior. In New York City, photographer Christine Butler consulted R.D. Chin, author of Feng Shui Revealed, when selecting the paint colors for her living room. Per Chin’s prescription, the south-facing "Relationship wall" was coated with Pittsburgh Paints’ "Paris Pink" to keep matters of the heart in the pink.
This decorative choice later inspired Butler to cover the love seat with a quilt in a similar, but slightly darker, shade of rose. This invitingly rosy area encourages the couple’s gentle, affectionate, mutt Milagro—a rescue from Mexico—to nest on the sofa for quality cuddling time. And when he’s alone, it helps promote restful sleep, because this formerly homeless dog is secure in the knowledge that he’s safe and very much loved.
Balanced time spent together has positive wellness benefits for everyone in the family. Studies show that spending time with dogs lowers blood pressure in humans. If they are more relaxed, we will be, too. By making our dogs’ digs more conducive to quality togetherness, we improve our own wellness, because they will be drawn to hang out with us more.
