Senior Dog & Owner: Joy in Gentle Pawlates Moments
Sep 5, 2025
Summary
Lila shares how gentle Pawlates became a lifeline for her 10-year-old golden retriever, Bailey—who struggled with joint pain—and for herself, as she navigated empty-nest syndrome, turning weekly classes into their favorite bonding time.
Bailey Could Barely Climb the Stairs; I Felt Lost Without My Kids
Last year, my kids moved out for college, and Bailey—my golden retriever—started slowing down. He’d limp when he walked, and climbing the stairs to my bedroom took him 5 minutes. I felt just as stuck: I missed my kids, and I didn’t know what to do with all the “empty” time. My neighbor, who’s a Pawlates instructor, said, “Try our gentle class—Bailey can lie next to you, and it’ll be easy on his joints.” I was skeptical—Bailey hates new things—but I agreed to try.
The Gentle Poses Were Perfect for Bailey and Me
First class, Coach Mia adjusted everything for us. We did Legs-Up-the-Wall instead of standing poses (easy on Bailey’s hips), and when I held Supported Bridge, Bailey curled up on my lower legs—he loved the warmth. I worried he’d get bored, but he stayed right there, dozing off once. For me, the gentle stretches felt like a hug for my body—I didn’t realize how tense I’d been from worrying about Bailey. After class, Bailey walked to the car without limping. I cried a little—was that possible? Coach Mia smiled and said, “Gentle movement helps his joints stay loose, and your calm helps him relax. It’s a win-win.”
Now, We’re the “Senior Duo” of the Class, and We Love It
Six months later, Bailey and I are regulars—everyone at the studio calls us the “Senior Duo.” He still can’t run like he used to, but he climbs the stairs in 2 minutes now, and he wags his tail when we pull into the studio parking lot. The gentle Pawlates has helped my back pain too—I used to struggle to pick up his food bowl, but now I can do it easily. Most importantly, those 45 minutes are ours. No worrying about the kids, no stress about Bailey’s joints—just me, him, and soft music. Last week, Bailey even leaned his head on Coach Mia’s hand during class. She looked at me and said, “He’s happy.” I nodded—so was I. Pawlates didn’t just help Bailey’s joints; it filled the “empty” in my days. We’re not just going to class—we’re making new memories, together.
