Chinese New Year pampers dogs
Dogs seem to have become the happiest and most pampered animals in China since the “Year of the Dog” is around the corner. Stories about generous pet-owners buying their dogs gifts have been reported by newspapers in some of the major Chinese cities in the advent of the traditional Spring Festival, or the Chinese lunar New Year, which falls on January 29th.
Hao Didi, 22, the owner of four puppies who lives in the Eastern (or Dongcheng) district of Beijing (China’s capital), said her family have prepared a traditional Chinese costume, or Tangzhuang, for the puppies for the imminent festival, and is planning to take them to the pet’s beauty salon.
“The Year of the Dog is something special to everyone in my family, as we love and care for our dogs so much as if it were a year for them,” said Hao. The Chinese lunar calendar counts the years with a rotation of the names of 12 animals. The cycling starts with rat, then follow ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster and dog, and ends with pig.
The shopkeeper of a Beijing Coolbaby Pet Product Chain Store said that his shop had busier business as the festival neared. The daily sales of dog clothing and toys rose about 30% in the past week than usual, she said.
According to a shop assistant, among all the dog clothes, the red ones and the traditional style Tangzhuang, varieties shelved especially for the Spring Festival, were the best seller, at more than 70 Yuan ($8.70/€7.20/£4.90) for each.
Dogs are also following the Chinese tradition, like their masters, to have a bath and haircut before the lunar New Year, a way people think can dispel misfortune when they embrace the new year.
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