Totems: Dog

Wondering when I would be doing the dog, but here it is! Seeing as I touched on the black dog earlier on I thought, “Why not?” There is one thing I find highly interesting, that on the second day of the Chinese New Year is considered to be the birthday of all dogs. Not only that, but the feast day of Saint Roch on August 16th is actually celebrated as the birthday of all dogs in Bolivia.

Dogs are the animals thought to be greatly loyal and there has been many real life dogs with a huge loyalty to their owners such as Hachiko and Greyfriars Bobby. Another lesson one can learn from the dog totem is companionship. Dogs can be great companions to some people, which may stem from the dogs loyalty to the person.

Many people, at least from my experience, seem to forget that dogs are pack animals. Dogs themselves can use teamwork and this is a lesson the dog totem can teach as in a dog show it does take both the owner and the dog to win.

The dog can be seen as the protector, or a guardian This may be due to how dogs can be brought up as, as guard dogs and some dogs can be fiercely protective of what they believe are theirs or of their owners. A lesson that could be learnt is show unconditional love, seeing as dogs do show plenty of it through a loving kindness.

It really depends on the breed of dog your totem is as different breeds of dogs have been bred for different reasons. What is above are likely lessons to be taught by the dog totem. Offerings to your dog totem may include bones and meat, though a certain kind of bone or meat may be preferred. Dog treats may be even a preferred offering to your dog totem which can include many kinds of treats such as pigs snouts, kangaroo tails, and dog biscuits.