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A grandpa kneels on all fours on a floor mat stretching while a small Yorkshire Terrier lies at the end of the mat. 28 / 37

Grandpa Rolled Out His Mat for Morning Stretches. His Yorkie Signed Up as Coach.

AI imageyorkshire terriermorning stretchesliving room

Down on all fours on a thin exercise mat, Earl is easing into his morning stretches, palms flat on the floor, back slowly rounding, eyes fixed on the carpet in concentration. His reading glasses dangle from his overalls pocket and his sneakers sit by the door. At the far end of the mat, Peanut has settled into a perfect sphinx pose of her own, front legs stretched out, chest low, head raised, looking up as if she is the instructor checking his form. Family photos hang on the wall, a laundry basket sits in the corner, and morning light pours through the window.

Gentle stretching is often recommended for older adults to help with flexibility, balance, and comfort in everyday movement, and doing it at home with a pet nearby can make the routine more fun. Dogs naturally stretch too, often with a play bow or a long reach of the back legs after waking. If you exercise on the floor with a small dog around, move slowly and keep an eye on where the dog is, since toy breeds can easily end up underfoot or under a hand. Anyone starting a new exercise routine, particularly with health concerns, should check with their doctor first.

Peanut may not be copying every move exactly, but her commitment to lying on the mat is impressive. Earl seems to enjoy having a coach. Morning stretches feel a lot less like a chore when someone small and furry is cheering you on.

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