Happy Year of the Dog! The eleventh animal in the Chinese lunar calendar symbolizes justice, loyalty, honesty, and a sense of duty. The dog is my birth symbol and anyone born in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 theoretically should get the good luck that comes with the Year of the Dog. I looked forward to it.

But then I discovered that as a “fire dog,” I share the good luck with George Bush, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump and — thank you at least for this — Steven Spielberg. I’m sure that a lot of other wonderful people also fall in the “fire dog” category. But it gave me pause to think my “luck” was in any way connected with Donald Trump.

Okay. So what does it all mean? Chinese astrologers divide dog years into categories: Water dog 1982, Metal dog 1970, Earth dog 1958, Fire dog 1946, and Wood dog 1934.

People born under this sign, again according to the astrologers, make good politicians, philosophers, teachers, doctors, judges, writers, nurses, actors, counselors, priests and psychologists and other professions that combine skills and help people.

The website China Family Adventure suggests that Year of the Dog will bring rewards for persistent people with long-standing projects. It also advises that you exercise vigilance to make sure people don’t take advantage of your good intentions.

It also says, after the chaotic Year of the Rooster, the Year of the Dog should provide a much-needed sense of harmony and peace.  But the South China Morning Post says Chinese astrologers predict that “Donald Trump faces a fiery 12 months.” One astrologer, Singapore-based Clarice Chan, told the paper, “If he is more flexible and tones down his approach, it is likely he will stay on as president. But if he is very forceful, he will face trouble.” She predicts that he will face a political crisis in 2018. 

Well. Happy Year of the Dog.