So what is a Foo Dog? It is best explained in Wikipedia:

Foo Dog or Fu Dog refers to any of the following closely related Dog breeds originating in ancient China which resemble the Chinese guardian lions and hence are also called Lion Dogs.

Chinese guardian lions, also called Fu (Foo) Lions, lions of Buddha, or sometimes stone lions in Chinese, are a common representation of the lion in pre-modern China, which is believed to have powerful mythic protective powers that has traditionally stood in front of Chinese Imperial palaces, temples, emperors’ tombs, government offices, and the homes of government officials and the wealthy from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), until the end of the empire in 1911.

Lions of Fo are always created in pairs, with the male playing with a ball and the female with a cub. They occur in many types of Chinese pottery and in Western imitations.

Pairs of Chinese guardian lions, also called Chinese stone lions are still common decorative and symbolic elements at the entrances to restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and other structures, with one sitting on each side of the entrance, in China and in other places around the world where the Chinese people have immigrated and settled specially in local Chinatowns. In Tibet, the guardian lion is known as a Snow Lion and similar to Japanese shishi. In Myanmar they are called Chinthe and gave their name to the World War II Chindit.

Read more about Foo Dogs at Wikipedia

Swami Dogananda
Patron of flea ridden homeless dogs who has vowed to stay in embodiment until all dogs are adopted into good homes.

To see more unusual greeting cards visit:
http://www.zazzle.com/planetcalamari

House Call Hours
Tuesday – Friday Noon – 7:00 pm
Saturday -emergency house calls only

Closed Sunday & Holidays
Mondays – Phone Consultations only

Four Paws Acupuncture makes house calls on the North Shore of MA. Some of the areas we service are : Salem, Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Essex, Gloucester, Wakefield, Melrose, Reading. Please note that we do not make house calls into the downtown Boston area, Newton, Arlington, Brookline and surrounding areas and those cities that are more than 15 miles from Salem MA

For more information on rates, services and veterinary acupuncture for your dog visit our website www.fourpawsacupuncture.com

West Hollywood expected to ban dog, cat sales
Associated Press

WEST HOLLYWOOD — West Hollywood is expected to ban the sale of cats and dogs at pet shops under a measure designed to strike a blow at so-called puppy mills.

The City Council will take a final vote on the ordinance today after giving it a preliminary approval earlier this month. It would take effect next month and give existing pet stores until September to stop sales.
City officials say the idea is to reduce demand that can lead to inhumane conditions by breeders at puppy mills and kitten factories.
The law exempts home breeders, animal rescue groups and shelters.
The ordinance says 35,000 dogs and 67,000 cats were euthanized in city and county shelters in Los Angeles in the past year

Chinese New Year always falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. The 2010 Year of the White Metal Tiger begins on February 14.

Metal is one of the five Taoist elements. The color white is associated with metal. The other elements and their colors are water-black, fire-red, earth-yellow, and wood-green.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Metal is the element which rules the respiratory system and the lungs. Water rules the kidneys and bladder. Fire rules the heart and pericardium. Wood rules the liver and gall bladder and Earth rules the spleen and stomach.
The Tiger is associated with good fortune, power, and royalty. It is viewed with both fear and respect; hence, their protection and wisdom is sought after. Many people believe the tiger, and not the lion, is the true king of beasts.

According to legend, tigers live one thousand years. Half way through life at age five hundred, they turn white. Tigers are believed to scare off thieves, ghosts, and fires.
To learn more about Chinese New Year traditions and zodiac signs visit the website below.

click here

Valentines Day is a sweet day for people, but can be very dangerous to your furry loved ones. Leaving out candy, ribbon, flowers and other gifts may end in an emergency visit to your local veterinary hospital.

Treat your dog this Valentine’s day with safe and healthy snacks such as carrots, apples or wheat-free dog cookies.

Here is a list of substances to keep out of reach from Fido. If your dog consumes any of these, please call your veterinarian immediately.

Chocolate
Macadamia nuts
Alcohol
Tylenol
Yeast dough
Coffee grounds, beans & tea
Raisins and grapes
Moldy/spoiled foods
Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pips
Rhubarb leaves

Thanks to the Salem Woo Crew – (my favorite group of local huskies) for sharing this site! Stunning photographs of magnificent Seppala huskies.
http://galleries.seppalasleddogs.com/index.htm

Valentines Day is just around the corner…..dare to be different this year! Here are just a few of items from the Tao of Dog collection.
To see more unique art on clothing and gifts for the home or office please visit the Tao of Dog Galleria

This Peace Love Paws zen design is one of Planet Calamari’s most recent additions of canine art. A unique gift for all those zen inspired pet lovers.

Swami Dog-ananda is the patron of all homeless, flea ridden dogs. In shelters devotees of this Master place a biscuit at his image in hopes of finding a new home. Others chant his mantra….Home Please find me a Hooooooome. Swami Dog-ananda has stayed in embodiment until all dogs find homes. Go to your local shelter and adopt a dog. Good DOGma…Good Karma.

What is the sound of one paw clapping? All dogs are Zen masters!

To see art inspired by acupuncture, meditation, peace and absurd ideas please visit the Planet Calamari online shoppe