Worldwide violence is why I'm here
To listen to complaints and dismiss your fears
To guide you to a more peaceful time
To protect what's pure and eliminate crime
Defending the underdog is my game
I promise to proceed in God's name
My vision fixed on cowardice acts
My intent to stop bullies in their tracks
I stand for honor, justice and fair play
And will stop at nothing to save the day

Never underestimate the power of the Dog. He may look like he's sleeping or uninterested, but nothing could be further from the truth. The Dog is a loyal and trusted friend, a peacemaker with depth and great solutions that can turn chaotic space back to order and heading down the long road to recovery.

The Dog realizes how dependent society is on its environment. As the Dog Year unfolds, a greater feeling of nostalgia, melancholy and discontent will manifest itself unless we contribute as a society to saving our planet. The Dog Year will put greater emphasis on understanding and promoting awareness, while encouraging us to face anyone trying to destroy our planet's purity.

Politically it will be a wait, watch and stand-on-guard kind of year. Any country bold enough to step out of line without just cause will be persecuted. This is a year of justice and fair play.

Countries around the world must bring home their troops to protect and serve their own turf. This year is the time to revitalize and prepare for the ultimate showdown should it threaten the planet environmentally, economically, medically or through terrorism. The Dog's motto will be "prepare to protect what is most precious."

Worldwide we should realize that we have much to be thankful for, and therefore a great deal to guard and protect. By sticking to basics and not getting sidetracked by controversial issues, we can subscribe to a better future. The countries willing to tighten purse strings to lower the world deficit will be the ones who progress during the year of the Dog.

Planet Earth is undergoing many changes that will continue to shape the future. With transiting Pluto moving through the constellation of Sagittarius, we will continue to experience natural disasters that affect us worldwide. March, April, July, August, November and December will be subject to events that will alter the future.

By EUGENIA LAST

 According to Chinese legend, the order of the twelve signs was determined by Buddha, upon celebration of the Chinese New Year (which falls on different dates, from mid-January to mid-February.) The Buddha invited all of the animals in the kingdom together for a meeting, but only 12 creatures attended. The first animal to arrive was the talkative Rat (who was aggressive enough to jump off the back of the Ox in order to be the #1 arrival) next in place #2, came the serious, enduring and hard-working Ox with the honorable Tiger, and cautious Cat. The outspoken Dragon joined the others, along with the philosophical Snake. The physically active Horse arrived with the artistic Goat. The spirited Monkey and the showy Rooster came as well. The last to join the others was the watchful Dog and the meticulous, resigned Pig. Buddha gave each animal a year of its own, bestowing the nature and characteristics of each to those born in that animals year. As the Chinese say, 'This is the animal that hides in your heart'

-- shelly wu