Year of the Dog

Today is the first day in the Chinese New Year which is based on the moon's cycle. This is the year of the dog - I am a dog as well as anyone born in the years 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006. I found the following synopsis of what a Dog is all about on astrology.com. I have read it through many times and whole heartedly agree that this is me in a nut shell:

In the West, the Dog is man's best friend, but in Chinese Astrology this Sign is a little more unpredictable than that. Dogs are loyal, faithful and honest and always stick to their firm codes of ethics. However, this Sign has trouble trusting others. It's generally quite trustworthy itself
-- except for the occasional "little white lies" the Dog tells in order to make things go more smoothly. The Dog makes a wonderful, discreet and loyal friend (despite any white lies) and is an excellent listener. This Sign tends to root for the underdog and its keen sense of right and wrong makes it duty-bound to the core. The Dog's mantra seems to be, Live right, look out for the little
people and fight injustice whenever possible.

Dogs can also be rather dogmatic, too. They don't go in for light social banter; instead, they go straight for home, expostulating on the topics that are most important to them. At these times the Dog's narrow-minded or stubborn side can become apparent; this Sign has trouble staying light and calm when an important issue is at stake. This Sign can also be very temperamental; mood swings characterize its emotional life and often the Dog needs to run off to be alone in order to recuperate. Part of the problem is the result of this Sign's load of irrational fears that turn into niggling anxieties that turn into hurt feelings and occasional grouchiness. This sensitive Sign needs to warm up to others over time and gradually learn to trust them. Without that trust as a foundation, Dogs can be judgmental and coarse. The Dog's discerning nature does make it an excellent business person, one who can turn that picky, guarded nature into a keen sense of the truth of another's motives.

Where love is concerned, Dogs often have a tough time finding the right match. They can be so anxious and overwrought in the romance dance that they'll stress their partner to the max! In any forum, this Sign is happiest when able to be quite physically active; at home or at work, the Dog will always be constructing something new or cleaning something up in order to make things better. Dogs need to work on controlling their irrational worries and would also be well-served to relax their mile-high standards, which can sometimes wind up alienating the ones they love.
The most compatible match for a Dog is the Tiger or the Horse.

Find your Chinese Zodiac sign, Just look for the year that you were born:
Rat: 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
Ox: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997
Tiger: 1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
Rabbit: 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999
Dragon: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Snake: 1905, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Horse: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Goat: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Monkey: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Rooster: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Dog: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Pig: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

I will have to see what this "Year of the Dog" business will bring my way.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!