Amateur astrology

Without a professional to consult, it's hard to sort through the maze of predictions being offered for the Year of the Dog, which kicks off at midnight Saturday.

They include rising real estate prices, an easing of world tensions and (my favorite) a year of "debate and anxiety" for George W. and Laura Bush. However, even to a non-expert, at least two forecasts seem certain to come true.

#1. Good times for the wedding business in Asia, as the couples who put off marriage during the inauspicious Year of the Rooster finally say their vows. Related trend: a rush on fiery red underwear, since this isn't just any old canine year, but the Year of the Fire Dog.

On a different and uglier note,

#2. A boom for Chinese pet stores, followed by large numbers of maltreated, neglected and abandoned dogs, as the recipients of these "auspicious gifts" lose interest in caring for them.

The Year of the Dog is a miserable time for dogs, it seems; trust us humans to arrange it so. 

11:32:15 PM   |