Year Of The Dog Is Every Year

I don’t pay a lot of attention to the noisy box. Sometimes my human companions watch the screen and laugh, or become very sad. Other times they talk or even shout at the box. It is very strange. The other day I was lying and resting and someone on the noisy box kept saying ‘dog’. That got my attention.  

This talker on the noisy box was saying that this is the Year of the Dog. My first thought was “you mean that some are not?” I’m still working that idea through. I don’t think that I would be happy to hear about a Year of the Cat. I have to confess that I am not positive what the human sound ‘year’ actually means. The lady voice went on to say that when someone is born during Year of the Dog they share certain traits. Once she started listing them, I realized that she was talking about me!

Honesty, dependability, and loyalty would describe those of the Year of the Dog. I may not be perfect but if I violate a rule of the pack den, I own up to it. Sometimes before my companions even know that I did something wrong. I can’t help myself there.

If the little box by the bed makes a ringing sound and a human companion doesn’t wake up, you can depend on me to lick their hands or feet, even jump on the bed to help them. If I receive a treat every night around six chimes you can depend on me to remind anyone and everyone if they forget.

It is just part of my nature to be faithful and devoted. I’ll stand by any member of my pack den if they are sick or sad. If I sense that someone or something might harm them I put myself between them and the threat in less than a heartbeat. I protect those I care about, no doubt about that.

I am a good listener and keep secrets pretty well. I listen carefully when a human is talking to me. I learn a lot by how they look and move when they speak, and I understand the meaning of a lot of their sounds. I hate to brag but I am sure that I understand them better than they follow what I am saying sometimes.

I do not hold a grudge; do not understand those that cannot move on from trouble or disagreement. Open-minded—yes I do not judge anyone by the way they walk or talk or the scent of their shoes until I have a chance to know them a little better.


The talker in the noisy box pointed out some qualities that are not favorites of my companions. I can be very nosy. I like to sniff out pockets, bags, and boxes as soon as they are brought into the den. I do not like the idea of missing something good that a forager has brought us.

When everyone in my den seems upset, I become very anxious. Or if someone doesn’t come home at the same time, they do on most days it makes me nervous and I tend to pace back and forth.

I’ll be keeping my ears open to learn more about the Year of the Dog. As best I can tell it means that there will be more creatures like me on the planet. I like that idea. It’s time to declare celebratory treats for everyone! Happy Year of the Dog to you!