Cookie, 2, sits in Boston Common. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Loulou, 4 months old, sits by the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Maddie Rose Lasky, 2, a certified therapy dog, sits with her owner, Alex Lasky, near a pond in Feb. 2018. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
James, 4 1/2 years old, enjoys his walk in Chestnut Hill Reservoir. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Luca was rescued from Houston two years ago. Tom Barret, Luca’s owner, said he thought Luca looked unusual and decided to adopt him. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Milo, a 3-year-old Beacon Hill dog, walks in Boston Common. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Stephanie celebrated her 14th birthday in Boston Common on Valentine’s Day. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Louis, 8, originally from Ottawa, Canada, with his owner. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Echo, 7, is a rescue from South Boston. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Five-year-old Jetty, who loves swimming and snow, sits in Boston Public Garden. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Sam, 9, walks in Boston Common. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Smokey, about 3 or 4 years old, with Charlie, 11, in Boston Common. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Ashley Ammendolia hugs Joe Biden, a 4-month-old golden doodle from South End, and Ralph, an 11-week-old Beacon Hill dog who got his name from “Wreck It Ralph.” Ammendolia quit her job as an executive personal assistant last November and became a full-time dog walker. She walks up to nine or 10 dogs a day. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Opie, 6 months old, goes out for a walk in Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
Nina, 6, originally from New York, goes for a walk in Boston Common. Photo by Yukun Zhang/BU News Service
By Yukun Zhang
BU News Service
Lunar New Year celebrations kicked off last week, so take a break from the two weeks of festivities to recognize the furry best friends who make this year special. This year is the year of the dog, one of the 12 animals in the lunar calendar zodiac observed by many Asian countries. The dog is placed 11th in the 12-year cycle zodiac. Folk stories say that when animals were racing to cross a river to reach the Jade Emperor, the dog had too much fun in the water and arrived second to last.
