Peonies for Puppies

Happy Chinese New Year!  These peonies - a favourite Chinese New Year flower - remind me of Flynn, the white powder puff Bichon Frise who won the Westminster Kennel Club's Best In Show award earlier this week.  It's that little dog's year...actually, it's a dog year for everyone on the planet.

On the Chinese astrological calendar, this year is a Male Earth Dog year, said to be good for real estate, agriculture, the environment, and establishing territory.  It's a good year for building on a solid foundation, because the earth element is grounded and stable.

Chinese astrologers say it will be a high energy year for those seeking their fortunes, so "go fetch"!  Just remember to curl up for a refreshing nap.  The Year of the Dog is a time to pay attention to your health...check for a warm nose.  Astrologers say that this year, more than others it is important to eat healthy foods, exercise, and change habits (you can teach an old dog new tricks).  

When we think of dogs, we think of unconditional love and loyalty.  These are the same traits of those born in dog years, and of the year itself.   People born under the dog sign also value loyalty in others.  Even the most loyal dog will bite when it is attacked, so be especially kind to one another.

Dogs are protective of those they love, and have a strong sense of danger.  At worst, astrologers say that dog signs are considered over protective, and paranoid.  In business, they can sense when a deal is going bad.  They'll bark to warn others.  They're also honest and frank.

Confucius himself was born in the Year of the Dog.  So were Socrates, Winston Churchill, and Donald Trump.  Prince, and Prince William were both born in a dog year.  David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Mariah Carey and Elvis are all hound dogs!

By the way, it is the year 4715 on the Chinese calendar.  How much is that in dog years?

Photographs Copyright of:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.