Lucky for Us, It’s the Year of the Dog!

Dog lovers have reason to celebrate – 2018 is the Year of the Dog!

We love our dogs for their loyalty and devotion; they are the truest of friends, day in and day out. The Year of the Dog comes around only once every twelve years, so show your dog some love!

Year of the Dog

The Year of the Dog kicks off on February 16th, the beginning of the Chinese New Year and it won’t happen again until 2030.

Were you born in the Year of the Dog? If so, you’re a dog too! Years of the dog include 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, and 2006. Here are some fun facts for those of us who are lucky enough to be “dogs”:

3, 4 , and 9 are your lucky numbers
red, green, and purple are your lucky colors
rose and cymbidium orchids are your lucky flowers

8 Paw-Some Ways to Celebrate Your Dog

It’s the Year of the Dog and it won’t happen again until 2030, so celebrate your dog. Let’s Pawty!

Summon your inner P.D. Eastman and host a tree house party. Go Dog. Go!

“A dog party! A big dog party! Big dogs, little dogs, red dogs, blue dogs, yellow dogs, green dogs, black dogs, and white dogs are all at a dog party! What a dog party!”

Stake out the back yard or living room and plan to include food, games, and treats for your human and four-legged friends. Tailor your Year of the Dog event to your family and pets – not all will enjoy a raucous party – a quiet celebration together at home may be the PERFECT way to enjoy the New Year.

Host a traditional New Year celebration on February 16, including Chinese foods, bell ringing, and festive lanterns.

In China, symbolic foods are thought to bring good luck and prosperity. Give your pet a place of honor and serve them a special meal. Dogs will wag their tails for a satisfying Pet Factory USA-Made Beefhide Chew. They’ll enjoy all the extra attention and are sure to feel the love!

Does your pet love to get dressed up and mug for the camera?

In China, people get new clothes for the New Year. Dress up your dog (and your kids) or tie a jaunty red scarf around their neck. Snap their photo and share it on social media for all to enjoy. Tag it with the hashtag #YearoftheDog.

Decorate your home with festive red, gold, and green paper decorations and lanterns.

Adorable dog-themed decorations will bring your 2018 celebration up a notch. Store bought items are readily available or create your own DIY decorations, featuring your own special dog.

Plan traditional party games with a dog-themed twist.

Try these: pass the bone, four-legged races, dog bones in the bottle, and puppy hide ’n seek. For dancing fun, play dog-themed songs like Hound Dog, “You ain’t never caught a rabbit and you ain’t no friend of mine” and Who Let The Dogs Out.

Kids love their dogs! Plan dog-themed craft activities for younger guests.

Try this: Print out pictures of your kids’ favorite four-legged friend ahead of time. Kids can decorate their own puppy’s picture frame with paw prints, dog bones, and their pet’s name.

Children in China receive gifts of “lucky” money and good wishes wrapped in red envelopes.

You can fill red envelopes or a doggie bag with sweet treats and good wishes for guests. Make your canine guests feel extra-special with a new toy for hours of fetching and tugging fun.