Canine parade helps usher in Year of the Dog
San Francisco resident Paige Mantel usually welcomes the Lunar New Year with friends over delicious food like dumplings. But this year — which highlights her Chinese zodiac sign, the dog — she opted for something different.
Mantel and her black-and-white Labradoodle, Samson, rang in the new year Sunday with dozens of other dogs and their human companions in a 1.6-mile walk along the Embarcadero. Prancing proudly with their wagging tails, the long line of dogs, ranging from a 130-pound St. Bernard named Miss Elle to a white micro Maltese named Khaleesi, got lots of the sort of thing dogs like to get — fawning attention from onlookers.
“It’s much more fun celebrating the Year of the
Dog with the dog,” Mantel said.
Friday actually marked the official start of the Year of the Dog. Each year of the lunar calendar celebrates an animal from the zodiac, and people born in 2018 are believed to be blessed with the same qualities as the furry, four-legged pals the year is named after — honest, loyal and great companions.
The dog year cycles every 12 years, meaning these admirable traits also were bestowed on anyone born in 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 and 2006.
The walk, organized by the San Francisco business Puppy Mama, began at Brannan Street Wharf Park on Sunday morning with a group photo and a contest for which owner would get a lucky red stuffed toy dog. The winning dog was supposed to be the one who had enough patience to sit the longest — but, well, they are pooches.
After a standoff among four dogs that lasted more than a minute and a half — a lifetime in doggie-sitting minutes — Puppy Mama founder and CEO Theresa Piasta gave up and kicked off another round of competition, this one for which dog would perform the best crowd-pleasing trick.
A poodle-and-spaniel mix named Baxter won handily by bestowing a sweet kiss on his owner, Emily Charnes.
“I’m very proud,” said Charnes, a volunteer at Muttville, a rescue group for senior dogs.
Some dogs, including Waffles, Piasta’s dog, sported traditional Chinese clothing, while some of their human companions carried dragon puppets as they walked down the street. Others were decked out in different styles — like Cosmo, a maltipoo, who stepped out in a black-andred plaid outfit more in line with the Christmas holiday, but nevertheless red, seen as bringing good luck.
“It was the only outfit we had for him,” said Cosmo’s owner, interior designer Victoria Wylie. “I think he’s having a blast.”
Piasta said she hopes her event will bring together people who love dogs, as well as raising awareness that dogs can be great companions and assist with therapy. Her San Francisco business helps connect women who are dog owners, and lets them review businesses based on how friendly they are to dogs.
The therapeutic quality of four-legged pals is particularly important to Piasta. She was deployed with the U.S. Army for 14 months in Iraq, and she says her dog, Waffles, has helped her deal with post-traumatic stress.
“She brought me to a very positive community,” Piasta said. “When we walk outside together, I meet other humans and other dogs in a very positive way. I think there’s a lot of health benefits associated with that.”
Nancy Tran of San Francisco said Sunday’s stroll was just the latest jaunt in a continuing celebration of the Year of the Dog with her 8-year-old Shih Tzu mix, Watson. Before Sunday’s outing, Tran and Watson went to the historic hamlet of Locke (Sacramento County) for a Lunar New Year dance performance.
After Tran went through a divorce, her loved ones encouraged her to get a dog, and she found Watson. The pooch was previously named Calvin, but that led to confusion with some human males with the same name, so she changed it.
It’s been a healing, joyful match.
“He’s happy when he’s with me, and I’m happy when I’m with him,” Tran said.
Wendy Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: wlee @sfchronicle.com Twitter: @thewendylee