A-M u s i n g s – Doggy Time

Musings are thoughts, the thoughtful kind. For the purpose of these articles, a-musings are thoughts that might amuse, entertain and even enlighten.

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]’m feeling a bit canine these days.

Calling a woman a bitch is pretty offensive, to say the least. It implies she is unpleasant, unreliable, scheming and possibly dangerous. Calling a man a dog, on the other hand, even though it probably means he is a secretly deceptive character, often hints at some unspoken admiration on the part of the person doing the describing. What is even worse, in the United States a she-dog is an old southern expression used to infer a particular woman is like a female dog that will do it with practically any male that comes along, in other words a slut, as in she ain’t nuthin but an old she-dog!

But consider a pillar-of-society Joe who has committed numerous barely concealed infractions, social, sexual, financial and otherwise, but is yet viewed as a bit of a rascal, a charming old dog; not the same thing at all, quite unfair really!

2018 is a Year of the Dog. In Chinese astrology, each year is related to a Chinese zodiac animal according to the 12-year cycle. 2018 is an Earth Dog Year. Years of the Dog include 1994, 2006, 2018, and 2030. The Dog occupies the eleventh position in the Chinese zodiac, after the Rooster, and before the Pig. The 2018 Dog Year started on February 16, 2018, and will end on February 4, 2019.

If you’re born in a Dog year, you’re a Dog, and the following are deemed lucky for you: lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9 and numbers containing them (like 34 and 49); lucky colours: red, green, and purple; lucky flowers: rose, cymbidium orchids; lucky days: the 7th and 28th of every Chinese lunar month; lucky directions: east, south, and northeast; and lucky months: the 6th, 10th, and 12th Chinese lunar months. Unlucky things for Dogs are: unlucky numbers: 1, 6, and 7; unlucky direction: southeast; unlucky months: the 5th and 8th Chinese lunar months.

In Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. For example, a Wood Dog comes once in a 60-year cycle. 2018 is an Earth Dog Year. A person’s characteristics are decided by their birth year’s zodiac animal sign and element. So there are five types of Dog, each with different characteristics: a Wood Dog (1934,1994) is sincere, reliable, considerate, understanding, and patient; a Fire Dog (1946, 2006) is intelligent, hardworking, and sincere; an Earth Dog (1958, 2018) is communicative, serious, and responsible in work; a Gold Dog (1910, 1970) is conservative, desirable, cautious, and always ready to help others; a Water Dog (1922, 1982) is brave and self-centred, even seemingly selfish; well-versed in dealing with financial issues.

There have been one or two famous Dogs: Winston Churchill, who was born in 1874, was a Wood Dog; Mother Teresa, who was born in 1910, was a Gold Dog; Elvis Presley, who was born in 1935, was another Wood Dog; Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, both born in 1946, are Fire Dogs even though they appear to be very different characters. Well, almost different; they do share the hobby of fornication, “real dogs” as they are! Other Fire Dogs are George Bush Jnr and Steven Spielberg; Madonna is, and Michael Jackson was, both born in 1958, Earth Dogs; and baby Justin Bieber, born in 1994, is a Wood Dog.

Dogs, not only the real ones with the waggly tails, are loyal and honest, amiable and kind, cautious and prudent, have a strong sense of loyalty and sincerity. Dogs will do everything for the person who they think is most important. Dogs tend not to be criminals or seek dishonest gains. They just need a quiet life and a good family. Dogs enjoy good health for they tend to be happy all the time. Dogs are active at sports so they are resilient to illnesses, such as colds, coughs, and fever. In heavy work periods and frequent social activities, Dogs should ensure they get plenty of rest in addition to taking proper exercise, which will benefit both their physical and mental health.

Since Dogs are not keen about seeking money and power, they feel less stressed and tense at work and in their home life. Due to their loyal personality, Dogs tend to choose a career based on the principle of serving others. Dogs are seen as valuable employees as they put their heart and soul into their tasks. Dogs are easygoing and kind, and are always ready to alleviate the workload of others, which makes them very popular in their work circle. Recommended careers for Dogs include a police officer, scientist, counsellor, interior designer, professor, politician, priest, nurse, clerk, and judge.