1766: The Year of the Dog

by Jaye

In order for this world to run smoothly (yin/yang), there is a need for a group who are vigilant and who worry about the weak and unprotected. Thus is the task of the Dog. Louis was born in 1766, and if after Feb 8, in the Chinese year of the Dog (Yin) and under the element of fire. The Fire-Dog is the champion of noble, but hopeless, causes. They will fight relentlessly till every villain is smite.

Those born under the Fire-Dog hate injustice, they are the original radical social reformer. They despise greed, corruption, dishonesty, and foolishness. Their weapon against such sins is an acid tongue, biting scorn and public criticism. It is not easy to become close to them because their cynical nature and worrisome, but once you know them, they are the nicest, generous, most devoted and honorable companions to be found.

Dog people are a serious people, they are sincere and sober, they disdain frivolities, can't understand why one would spend time on pleasure and opulence when there are people dying of starvation and the ecology of the earth is being decimated. They care little for money, wealth, or power, rather, their concern is that every injustice is brought to the world's attention. They are convinced, and no one will change their minds, that humankind is here to destroy the bounty of this good earth and society is its own worst enemy.

These are driven people who hate idleness and will put much energy into finding and fixing inequities. In a sinful and imperfect world, they feel the only salvation lies in molding it to their own narrow sense of justice. This judgmental inflexibility and heavy-handed morality tends to annoy others. They are meddlesome and uncompromising in their convictions.They have no patience for liars. People tend to become agitated with all of a Fire-Dog's scrutinizing, assessing and open, earnest revelation of tyranny and inhumanity. And yet for all their brave crusading, they fear rejection.

They are shy and aloof by nature and are easily embarrassed if one calls attention to him or praises him. They may avoid eye contact. They may seem distant and reserve with strangers, but this lack of effervescence doesn't mean they are snobs. They are only uneasy with social interaction. Actually, they are the picture of modesty. And draw their attention to social progress and they become ardent speakers. Their social lives are often sparse and they don't waste time on vain group activities; they are considered loners. True to nature, Fire-Dogs are more content attending to duty and responsibility than partying. Which is unfortunate because know them is to love them.

And when you grow to know them, fairness is of the utmost importance to them and they are generous to a fault. They are the ones who would give you the shirt off their back. Sometimes, however, they go a little over board with generosity. If you should do them a favor, expect to be paid back tenfold. They alway repay a debt and then some. Never mistake their well meaning criticism of the system as misanthropic, for deep inside they love mankind, particularly the helpless and misunderstood, and believe we deserve the best world we can imagine.

With an artless demeanor, they can have a wicked sense of humor. Their straight-as-an-arrow truths can lead to brilliant observation. Once the dry, first impression is overcome, they can be almost ebullient, beguilingly simple in their righteous virtue.

Dogs do not make promises they can't keep and they are resistant to commitment. They often marry later in life, if at all, and many end up bachelor or spinsters. The reason they don't give their heart freely is a fear of rejection and they are very aware of how difficult it can be to live with them. Now, add a sensitivity of failure, it's easy to see why they end up to be alone. But when they do commit, they are loyal, true, devote and protective par none. Those under the sign of the Fire-Dog became a quixotic giver but they want to be the dominant partner. Innately non-demonstrative, they are willing to surrender to a trusted one and are eager to please. And with the proper encouragement, they can be sexually uninhibited, sensual and tender to an extreme. In love, they are loyal to the death, delightful attentive, profoundly affectionate and will notice the smallest detail. But their honesty makes them a little tactless. When you change your hair, expect them to sneer, "What happen to your hair?" Or if you use a different perfume, they will blurt out, "What's that smell?" Because they are skeptical and unsure of their appeal, they are distrustful and often can't believe anyone's love can be equal to theirs.

A surrender of body and soul brings expectations on their part. They need no less from their lovers than what they offer. It's almost as if they set themselves up for disappointment. It is very hard to live up to one so idealistic, honest, and devoted. And the worst curse that could happen to these individuals is the infidelity of a loved one. Betrayal is obstacle from which they can not recover and broken faith leaves these sensitive people crushed. However, they will not aim their anger or revenge towards the guilty party, but, rather become disillusioned with a world that is full of lies and deceit. Break their heart and they sink into despondency.

While there is no lack of integrity, Fire-Dogs do not always have a clear image of themselves. They are lucid and willing to see themselves objectively, but somehow their own faults miss their inspection. They don't always want to see another point of view and can be very pessimist and paranoid. They tend to retreat from reality with the pain is unbearable.

The role they were born to play is that of a parent. The erudite Fire-Dog parents shine, they soar, they are brilliant. Upon their children they impose none of the meddling or anxiousness they demonstrate to the rest of the world. With their children they are patient, loving, protective. Never invasive or egotistical, any improvements they feel are need they apply with a gentle hand. Excellent providers but not materialistic, they are not workaholic parents, and are more than willing to make time for their important family. But, then, they have the stamina to do it all well. They, also, are very successful at adopting children and will love them as their own.

The Fire-Dogs are individualist and likes to make their own rules. They work best alone. They maybe quick with a sharp remark but they are honest and never take what is not rightfully theirs. They have a keen eye for details and work meticulously and analytically. They adhere to strict principles and for most, their goal is to making this a better world one day at a time.

They are incredibly hard working and steady, with high powers of concentration. They are very competent and often end up in life comfortable due to honest hard work. Their motto is "To serve and protect" and make good police officers. Medicine and education suits their charitable nature provided they repress a propensity to criticize. Diplomacy and tricky negotiation and used car sales would be disastrous careers. Investigative journalist fits perfectly their ability for details and excellent memory. A love of land and soil make them good at farming (maybe indigo plantation owner) or geologist providing they are the boss. They are the ultimate reformers and like to go into autistic work. They are out in the trenches, helping others, but don't expect them in the organized religion, they are too cynical. They are better at missionary work, healers, teachers, or volunteer worker. They like to reform the world but not in the capacity of politician, they are too honest. They are better consumer advocates or, if in government, a behind the scene advisor.

Later in life, they mellow and can reach a balance plateau. Contentment sets in. With hard work and concentration, they have achieve a healthy personal gain. However, disillusionment is a vexation that Fire-Dogs must always deal. Their nervous energy and punctilious vigilance eventuality weakens this hypersensitive nature over time, and if they do not have a cause in which they believe to keep them focused, it becomes overwhelming. There is a tendency to become pessimistic and unbearably abrasive if not surrounded by positive people. They have a propensity towards chemical dependency when over come by disappointment and need a crutch to dull the pain. They need to cultivate highly disciplined habits and reach out to optimistic, supportive people.

Famous Dogs are: Winston Churchill, Robert Frost, Ralph Nader, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Bill Clinton, Cher, Susan Sarandon,Golda Meir, Madonna, Mother Theresa, Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo, O. Henry, Georges Bizet.

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