The Chinese New Year begins on February 16, 2018 this year based on the lunar calendar and I'm excited to say that it will be "the year of the Earth Dog." I was born in 1958 so my zodiac animal is also the dog.
Which Chinese Zodiac Animal are you?
· Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
· Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
· Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
· Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
· Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
· Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
· Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
· Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
· Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
· Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
· Dog: 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958
· Pig: 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959
Which Chinese Zodiac Animal are you?
· Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
· Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
· Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
· Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
· Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
· Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
· Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
· Goat: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
· Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
· Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
· Dog: 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958
· Pig: 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959
All of you cat lovers are probably wondering why Cat is not part of the twelve zodiac animals. Cat was late to the race! Here's the tale:
The Great Race - found here.
Long ago in ancient China, legend has it that the Jade Emperor announced a great race of all the animals in order to determine who would become part of the calendar - and that the 12 who arrived first would be selected. At the time, the cat and the rat were good friends. When they heard the news, the cat said to the rat: "We should arrive early to sign up, but I usually get up late."
The rat promised to wake his pal up so they could go together but, because he was so excited, forgot and went alone.
On the way, the rat bumped into the tiger, ox, horse and other animals - who were all much faster than him.
He hatched a plan and convinced the ox to carry him on his back - on the condition that the rat sang throughout the journey.
The ox arrived first, but the rat sneaked in front of him and became the first lucky animal.
By the time the cat arrived, the selection was over - which is why the cat hates the rat and will always try to chase and kill him.
A longer version of this wonderful legend can be found here.
The Great Race - found here.
Long ago in ancient China, legend has it that the Jade Emperor announced a great race of all the animals in order to determine who would become part of the calendar - and that the 12 who arrived first would be selected. At the time, the cat and the rat were good friends. When they heard the news, the cat said to the rat: "We should arrive early to sign up, but I usually get up late."
The rat promised to wake his pal up so they could go together but, because he was so excited, forgot and went alone.
On the way, the rat bumped into the tiger, ox, horse and other animals - who were all much faster than him.
He hatched a plan and convinced the ox to carry him on his back - on the condition that the rat sang throughout the journey.
The ox arrived first, but the rat sneaked in front of him and became the first lucky animal.
By the time the cat arrived, the selection was over - which is why the cat hates the rat and will always try to chase and kill him.
A longer version of this wonderful legend can be found here.
I discovered a fun animated tale of the Ancient Chinese Zodiac Story that would be fun to storytell. Check it out below.
Why not tell dog tails (oops, I mean dog tales) to celebrate one of the most beloved pets of all time! I love Karen Chace's Storytelling Blog called Karen Chace- Catch the Story Bug! and often share her posts on Facebook. Here's a list of dog stories that she had collected on her Dog Post:
STORIES
Black Dog of Hanging Hills – USA
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/the_black_dog_of_hanging_hills.html
The Dog and the Pig – India
http://www.pitara.com/fiction-for-kids/folktales/the-dog-and-the-pig/
The Dog and the Sparrow - Grimm
http://www.authorama.com/grimms-fairy-tales-8.html
The Faithful Dog and the Serpent - Jewish
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0178a.html#rappoport
The Giant Dog - Eskimo
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/inu/eft/eft34.htm
The Golden Beetle or Why Dog Hates Cat - China
http://worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_1.html
The Sheep, the Shepherd and the Dog - Fable
http://www.mythfolklore.net/aesopica/oxford/67.htm
Spectre Dogs – England
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/efft/efft65.htm
The Three Dogs - Germany
http://tinyurl.com/qbxjnmj
The Tortoise, the Dog and the Farmer - Africa
http://allfolktales.com/wafrica/tortoise_dog_farmer.php
Why Dogs Sniff Tails - Iroquois
http://pets.families.com/blog/animal-folktales-why-dogs-sniff-tails
STORIES
Black Dog of Hanging Hills – USA
http://americanfolklore.net/folklore/2010/07/the_black_dog_of_hanging_hills.html
The Dog and the Pig – India
http://www.pitara.com/fiction-for-kids/folktales/the-dog-and-the-pig/
The Dog and the Sparrow - Grimm
http://www.authorama.com/grimms-fairy-tales-8.html
The Faithful Dog and the Serpent - Jewish
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type0178a.html#rappoport
The Giant Dog - Eskimo
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/inu/eft/eft34.htm
The Golden Beetle or Why Dog Hates Cat - China
http://worldoftales.com/Asian_folktales/Chinese_Folktale_1.html
The Sheep, the Shepherd and the Dog - Fable
http://www.mythfolklore.net/aesopica/oxford/67.htm
Spectre Dogs – England
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/efft/efft65.htm
The Three Dogs - Germany
http://tinyurl.com/qbxjnmj
The Tortoise, the Dog and the Farmer - Africa
http://allfolktales.com/wafrica/tortoise_dog_farmer.php
Why Dogs Sniff Tails - Iroquois
http://pets.families.com/blog/animal-folktales-why-dogs-sniff-tails
Of course, I have plenty of Jack and Sadie tales to bark out on February 16th. What dog tales do you know? Please share. Happy Chinese New Year to all!
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