Welcome to the Month of the Dog!
Welcome to the Month of the Dog, running this year from October 2nd to November 1st. As autumn settles in, colder weather and gray skies invite us to cozy up indoors. The Chinese zodiac symbol of the Dog perfectly mirrors this seasonal shift. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a dog’s personality? They’re described as our “best friend” for a reason— Dogs can be incredibly social, loyal and friendly, living communally in packs, where everything is shared and bonds are constantly renewed through social behaviors like play and cozying up. The qualities of loyalty and sociability resonate with this time of year, when we gather with close friends and family, sharing warmth and connection before winter fully sets in.
Cozying up with our social groups is very Dog-esque, and so is the flip side of being close with people around us: as autumn weather leads to being intimate with each other, we might find we have a sharper nose for who and what really feels good to have around in our personal space—and who and what doesn’t. Dogs are keenly aware of who belongs and who doesn’t: they know when to welcome someone with love and when to protect their boundaries. This mirrors the role of the Pericardium or “Heart Protector” –- symbolically associated with the Dog in Chinese medicine—which governs our ability to open our hearts to those who respect us and close off to those who don’t. As we enter this season, it’s a great time to reflect on the relationships that feel nourishing and those that may no longer serve us. In this way, the Dog continues where the Rooster left off last month - the process of “waking up” from the long luxurious days of summer requires we make some practical, clear-headed determinations about what will serve us in the winter months to come. Everything we have learned about ourselves from the Dragon, Snake and Goat arc of the year now comes into play in setting boundaries that reflect this self-knowledge.
During this month, we can be mindful of these patterns in our own lives, ensuring that our loyalty is aligned with those who truly have our best interests at heart. Here’s a few ideas: Spend time with your family and close friends or organize social gatherings. Create a communal atmosphere in your neighborhood and home with some Halloween decorations. Show respect and appreciation to the people who have supported you throughout your life: whether parents, mentors, teachers, even peers. This can be in the form of a compliment, a thank you, a hand-written card or gift— anything from the heart will do. However, it’s important to remember that showing respect and deference to others doesn’t mean we need to give away our ability to determine right from wrong and speak up for ourselves.
The dog can be fiercely loyal
Dogs can be deeply loyal, sometimes to a fault, sticking with people who may not treat them well out of a strong desire to belong and be loyal to their pack. This loyalty is connected to a sense of hierarchy for Dogs, where the pack leader plays a protective role in ensuring the group’s safety and survival. However–especially in the human realm—this dynamic can sometimes be manipulated by those who misuse power for domination, rather than mutual flourishing. Healthy hierarchy isn’t about one person being in charge, but about recognizing the value different individuals bring to the table and helping to provide those people what they need to succeed. And if we can all do this for each other, it creates a web of reciprocity that is akin to that cozy, snuggled up, “best friend” sociability of the Dog. We give dogs what they need: food, safety, exercise… and they give us what we need: love, unconditional friendship and loyalty. If we respect both roles as equally valuable, we can appreciate how they feed into one another and, through mutual support, make the whole pack strong.
Written by Paul Arellano