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A gray-haired man in a fishing vest kneels on a yoga mat in a living room beside a yellow Labrador lying on its own mat. 1 / 40

Grandpa Rolled Out a Second Yoga Mat for the Lab. She Had Her Own Idea of Exercise.

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Down on all fours in the middle of the living room, Grandpa Gus is giving his morning stretches an honest try. A printed sheet of exercises lies scattered on the floor beside his mat, and his white mustache is set in a look of serious concentration. Next to him, on a second mat, Sunny the yellow Labrador has already decided that the best stretch is lying flat with her paws out front. Her soft brown eyes gaze up as if to ask how long this routine is supposed to last. Behind them, bookshelves hold family photos, a coffee mug waits on the table, and a basket of tennis balls sits within easy reach.

Gentle movement is good for older adults and older dogs alike. Simple stretches, short walks, and balance work can help people stay limber, and many seniors find that a dog gives them a reason to get moving every single day. Labradors are famously eager companions, so they often join in on whatever their person is doing. For dogs, though, stretching usually happens on its own when they wake up from a nap. If you want to add exercise for an aging Lab, slow walks and easy games tend to work better than anything high-impact. Labs can be prone to joint problems as they get older, so it is smart to talk to your vet before starting a new activity plan, for yourself or your dog.

Sunny may not be mastering any poses today, but she showed up and rolled out her mat. Some mornings, that is the whole point.

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