2006 - Chinese Year of the Dog

The Chinese Calendar predates the Gregorian-based International Calendar we use today by more than 4,000 years.

The Chinese Calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to accommodate the solar cycle, an extra month is inserted once every seven years. This is the same as adding an extra day on the western leap year. The last Leap Year was in 2004.

Because it follows a lunar cycle, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year. It starts with the new moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with colourful displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.

January 29, 2006 is the first day of the Chinese New Year and this year, it's the Year of the Dog. The Year of the Dog is your Astrolgical Animal if you were born between these years:

February 10, 1910 - January 29, 1911 January 28, 1922 - February 15, 1923 February 14, 1934 - February 3, 1935 February 2, 1946 - January 21, 1947 February 18, 1958 - February 7, 1959 February 6, 1970 - January 26, 1971 January 25, 1982 - February 12, 1983 February 10, 1994 - January 30, 1995 January 29, 2006 - February 17, 2007

To celebrate the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Dog, Cathay Pacific chose the most auspicious day of the New Year week - the 2nd February - to host a dinner in Johannesburg and invite their very special guests for a wonderful, traditional celebration.

Cathay Pacific decided that a dog parade would be appropriate and we put together a small selection of Oriental breeds.

The parade was well accepted - the dogs were on their best and very happy behaviour. The guests enjoyed them and made new year's resolutions during the walk down, which was seen as a type of blessing.

A short description, history and introduction was read by Mike, the Master of Ceremonies, and the guests greeted and patted the dogs as they passed by. A most enjoyable evening was had by the participants and the guests and our presence was much appreciated.

Grateful thanks must go to the participants who took the time and trouble to present their dogs:Corrinne Diggins (Corin ShihTzu) with Kinny and Sally Sunshine, Melanie Nicolau (Wynnsong Pekingese) with Jonty and Lindy, Joan and Belinda Ormonde (Apsosongkye Lhasa Apsos and Tibetan Terriers) with Jordan, Andrew, Jason and Jessica, and and especially huge thank you to the organiser of this parade, Vanessa Nicolau (Kimekai Chow Chows) with Kendo and Tanaka.

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