Danger Dog Blog

Nepal's Day of the Dog 2022

Live from Kathmandu!

Nepal has a delightful tradition of honoring dogs during the celebration of Kukur Tihar.   The second day of Tihar, also known as Diwali, is devoted to giving dogs their due by treating them with delicious foods and adorning them with marigold garlands and a bright red tika blesses their forehead.  

Day of the Dog in Nepal

This cute Spitz lives on the Stupa and has a first hand view of the colorful Rangoli, the powdered mandala meant to draw Laxmi, the Goddess of Wealth into their homes and business.

Day of the Dog in Nepal

 Hindus believe that dogs can sense forthcoming danger, most importantly death and are specially worshiped on this day.   This guy seems pretty chill.

Day of the Dog in Nepal

 In Hindu mythology, a dog also known as Shvan is regarded as the or vehicle of Bhairava, an avatar of Lord Shiva. 

The God of Death also has two watchdogs, who guards the gates of hell.   This guy does not like my cowboy hat and is definitely looking askance.

Dogs are a part of the culture of the World Heritage Site of Boudhanath Stupa.  Worshipers let sleeping dogs lie. 

And this bread saleslady has already adorned her 2 pups who contentedly sleep while she does business.

Day of the Dog in Boudha

 Today it is a Day of the Dog's life for these pups, but the dogs of Boudha have it pretty good every day.  

People line up to buy the marigold and gomphrenia garlands (malla in Nepalese).  Some adorn dogs and others are for doorways and people.

 

To see previous Day of the Dog posts, please go to this link.

If you would like to have your dog (cat, horse, chicken, bunny, bearded dragon, etc.) immortalized on metal here in Nepal, you can send me a photo of your pet.   I am now in Kathmandu, Nepal, taking orders.

I will return in early December in plenty of time to deliver for holiday gifts.

You choose the style, the color, what you would like the sign to say...

This hand-painted art form is fast disappearing in Kathmandu, as it already has in most parts of the world.   I pay fair trade wages, the artists get to paint again, pet lovers get a choice of three paintings for each commission, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living.   Everybody is happy.   Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!

HOW TO ORDER

To order, please send me a photo of your pet.   I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 paintings and three artists will get work.   Each painting is about one square foot and is on metal with synthetic enamel paint.   These can be hung indoors or out, be framed or unframed.

While I am in Nepal, your pet will be featured on the Danger Dog Blog, as I stop into the artists' studios and document the works in progress.

Satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front.   If you do not like one of the three, you pay nothing, and the 3 artists are paid in full in any case.   Let me know what you want it to say and that's it!

Send your photo to [email protected] or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.

Let's keep these artists painting.

 

Nepal's Day of the Dog 2019

Live from Kathmandu!

Nepal has a delightful tradition of honoring dogs during the celebration of Kukur Tihar.   The second day of Tihar is devoted to giving dogs their due by treating them with delicious foods and adorning them with marigold garlands and a bright red tika blesses their forehead.

These 2 lucky dogs are at a Kathmandu Municipal Street Dog Help Center, where they are recovering from a recent spay/neuter and miscellaneous other treatment from de-worming to rabies shots.  They have just finished their Kukur Tihar ceremony and are happy to pose with one of the caretakers at the facility.

This cute dog was offered a pizza crust (too much cheese for me) and like many Nepali dogs, he turned up his nose!   Most dogs here do not like cheese!  But he refused politely and licked my hand instead.

Someone really loves this dog!   Many, many marigold garlands festoon this lucky dog's neck.   Here garlands are known as 'malla'.

These young girls and their dogs seem to be relaxed and happy to celebrate Kukur Tihar.

This dog seems to have had a smudge in addition to his red tika.   The tikas are meant to be blessings, much like when you see a red bindi (dot) on a Hindu's forehead.   He look good near that pink wall.

This guy did not like my cowboy hat!

The tika and marigold garlands suit this handsome dog.

 

This guy is tuckered out and enjoying his sleep in the sun.   Even street dogs get the Kukur Tihar treatment.   (Kukur is Nepali for dog.)

This dog really did not like my hat!

 

 

If you would like to have your dog (cat, horse, chicken, bunny, bearded dragon, etc.) immortalized on metal here in Nepal, you can send me a photo of your pet.   I am now in Kathmandu, Nepal, taking orders.

I will return in early December in plenty of time to deliver for holiday gifts.

You choose the style, the color, what you would like the sign to say...

This hand-painted art form is fast disappearing in Kathmandu, as it already has in most parts of the world.   I pay fair trade wages, the artists get to paint again, pet lovers get a choice of three paintings for each commission, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living.   Everybody is happy.   Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!

HOW TO ORDER

To order, please send me a photo of your pet.   I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 paintings and three artists will get work.   Each painting is about one square foot and is on metal with synthetic enamel paint.   These can be hung indoors or out, be framed or unframed.

While I am in Nepal, your pet will be featured on the Danger Dog Blog, as I stop into the artists' studios and document the works in progress.

Satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front.   If you do not like one of the three, you pay nothing, and the 3 artists are paid in full in any case.   Let me know what you want it to say and that's it!

Send your photo to [email protected] or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.

Let's keep these artists painting.

American Dogs = Nepali Jobs.

Hello from Dogmandu!

Please check out the Nepal Dog YouTube Channel:   https://www.youtube.com/user/NepalDog

You will be happy you did!

Micro-finance through art patronage.    Trade not Aid.

Nepal's Day of the Dog -2018

 I arrived in Kathmandu on Nepal's famous Day of the Dog, or Kukur Tihar, the second day of a five-day holiday.    

White Nepali dog on the Day of the Dog

This handsome boy greeted us on the welcome mat of our guest house and wagged his tail.   He was treated with food and a lovely marigold mala and a bright red tika.

 

Nepali dog on the Day of the Dog

Another happy dog wanting to get into his gate.

Nepali dog with Malla and Tika

This guy has a red tika (blessing) on his forehead that goes well with his shaggy hair.

Downward dog on his special day!

 

A Nepali dog on his colorful doorstep.

 

This photo was taken a couple of days later.  The doorstep is decorated for Laxmi Puja, or the Festival of Lights.

In Hindu mythology, a dog also known as Shvan is regarded as the or vehicle of Bhairava, an avatar of Lord Shiva. 

The God of Death also has two watchdogs, who guards the gates of hell.  

Hindus believe that dogs can sense forthcoming danger, most importantly death and are specially worshiped on this day. 

In the Mahabharata, at the end of the epic, a dog follows them on their journey. While on the journey the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti and the leader of the Pandavas, lost his brothers and wife, however, the dog continued to follow him till the gates of the heaven. It is mentioned in the religious scriptures that the king refused to enter heaven without the dog. 

To see previous Day of the Dog posts, please go to this link.

Yoda by Baba, Sagar and Jit Gurung. (clockwise from top left)

Yoda's owner chose Baba's, but the others are great, too.   There is a true folk art quality to Jit's portrait of Yoda and Sagar's painting is a classic example of a Nepali Beware of Dog sign that features a German shepherd dog.

This is what you can expect when you honor your dog (or cat) with a Nepal Art Dog portrait.  The time to order is now.   No obligation to buy, but I bet you will not be able to resist!  You will receive your choice of portrait in time for the holidays.

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If you would like to have your dog (cat, horse, chicken , bunny, etc.) immortalized on metal here in Nepal, now is the perfect time to order.   I am here in November, 2018, to order more Danger Dogs and Cats.

This hand-painted art form is fast disappearing in Kathmandu, as it already has in most parts of the world.   I pay fair trade wages, the artists get to paint again, pet lovers get a choice of three paintings for each commission, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living.   Everybody is happy.   Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now accepted for the Fall 2012 trip.

HOW TO ORDER

To order, please send me a photo of your pet.   I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 paintings and three artists will get work.   Each painting is about one square foot and is on metal with synthetic enamel paint.   These can be hung indoors or out, be framed or unframed.

While I am in Nepal, your pet will be featured on the Danger Dog Blog, as I stop into the artists' studios and document the works in progress.

Satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front.   If you do not like one of the three, you pay nothing, and the 3 artists are paid in full in any case.   Let me know what you want it to say and that's it!

Send your photo to [email protected] or find out more at www.NepalDog.com.

Let's keep these artists painting.

American Dogs = Nepali Jobs.

Hello from Dogmandu!

Please check out the Nepal Dog YouTube Channel:   https://www.youtube.com/user/NepalDog

You will be happy you did!

Micro-finance through art patronage.    Trade not Aid.

 

Welcome to Nepal's Day of the Dog 2017

Nepal is the only country in the world to celebrate a day dedicated to dogs.

 Kukor Tihar is a day of Dog blessings.   

A Spitz and a Boxer on Nepal's Day of the Dog

This young (very well-trained) Spitz and his brindle Boxer puppy friend are awaiting their Kukor Puja treats.

A brindle Boxer puppy and her first Day of the Dog

The 5 and a half month old Boxer is about to enjoy her first Day of the Dog.

The ceremony is complicated and took about 3 minutes.  That Spitz has the patience of a saint and the young Boxer has that unique Boxer wiggle...   They are garlanded with marigolds, red tikas (blessings) are applied to their foreheads and paws.   Coins are placed on their heads and then, they are very well fed with meat and rice.  Flower petals and rice kernels are also part of the process.

The Kukor Puja ceremony begins

The ceremony has just begun and the Boxer pup is already digging in.

The Spitz does his Namaste while awaiting his treats

He must have held that Namaste pose for 4 minutes, before he got antsy.   He also shakes hands...

Nepal's Day of the Dog ceremony deserves a selfie.

The Spitz' owner is understandably proud... 

A big and handsome St. Bernard dog on Nepal's Day of the Dog

 This big St Bernard is very good at his job.   He did not stop barking at me!

A young Spitz just wants to have her ears rubbed.

 

This dog was so pretty and friendly...

 

Two Nepali street dogs near my hotel in Boudha

 Even the street dogs near my hotel got the full Day of the Dog treatment and they are sleeping it off!

Lucky the Dachshund roaming the streets of Boudha

Also known as Kukor Puja or Kukor Tihar, it is part of a 5 day festival which also has a special day for crows and cows.   Tihar is part of the festival of lights where the locals invite Laxmi into their homes with colorful powders and lights so that they can have wealth in the coming year.

India also celebrates a version of this holiday, but they do not honor dogs as part of their Diwali (Dipawali) festival.

 

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Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   

I am in Kathmandu right now and taking orders until the November 25, 2017 cut off date.  I will be back in plenty of time to mail your holiday orders.

How to order your custom pet portrait from NepalDog.com

1. Please send me a photo of your pet.  I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 paintings and three people will get work.   Each painting is about one square foot and is on metal with synthetic enamel paint.   These can be hung indoors or out.

2. Let me know what you would like it to say.

3. Let me know what style of portrait you would prefer:   naive, realistic, colorful, etc.

4. Tell me your pet's name and breed.   

5. Send your photo to me at:   [email protected]  
That's it !

Satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front.   If you do not like one of the three, you pay nothing, and the 3 artists are paid in full in any case.   Let me know what you want it to say and that's it!

The cost is $250 plus shipping.   Shipping is around $20 per sign (to and from the US).   And 9.75% California sales tax for California residents.  
Pay after choosing your portrait. 
Multiple pets on one sign cost more ($325 for Double, $400 for Triple).

Let's keep these artists painting.

This hand-painted art form is fast disappearing in Kathmandu, as it already has in most parts of the world.   I pay fair trade wages, the artists get to paint again, pet lovers get a choice of three paintings for each commission, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living.   Everybody is happy.   Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!

Live from Kathmandu: Nepal's Day of the Dog 2016

Nepal is the only country in the world to have a day that honors dogs.   And they do it spectacularly!

Nepali street dog on Kukur Tihar

 This lovely dog has found a soft spot to relax after being treated on Kukur Puja, Nepal's Day of the Dog.   

Tihar is a Hindu religious holiday and is widely celebrated throughout Kathmandu.

Another happy dog with his bone

 This guy is too tired to eat that bone!   

Spaniel dog in the window on Kukur Tihar

Not only street dogs, but house pets get the treats.

Dog and his master on Nepal's Day of the Dog

It is plain to see that this dog is well loved.

Accord to Hindu lengend, the dog is revered as the guard of Yamaraj, the God of Death.  This Retreiver is not a guard dog!

A Nepali girl and her beloved dog

This little girl is in her new dress.  A Tihar tradition is that one wears new clothes.   

Tibetan lady feeds the dogs on the Boudha Stupa

Even in Buddhist Boudha, the dogs get their mallas (marigold garlands) and tikas on their foreheads.

This woman feeds the street dogs around the Boudha Stupa daily.

Please make sure that every year is a day of the dog in your life.   

Zoe the Jack Russell by 3 Nepali sign painters

This is what you can expect when you have your own pet immortalized on metal in Nepal.  Zoe was a commisisoned portrait from a previous year.   Her portraits are by Sanjib Rana, Megh Raj Thapa and Sagar Bitsa (clockwise from top left).

To see previous years' blogs of the Day of the Dog in Nepal, click here.

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I am in Nepal right now and accepting orders.

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the October 2016 trip.  I will be back in early December 2016 in plenty of time to mail holiday orders.

1. Please send me a photo of your pet.  I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 paintings and three people will get work.   Each painting is about one square foot and is on metal with synthetic enamel paint.   These can be hung indoors or out.

2. Let me know what you would like it to say.

3. Let me know what style of portrait you would prefer:   naive, realistic, colorful, etc.

4. Tell me your pet's name and breed.   

5. Send your photo to me at:   [email protected]  
That's it !

Satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front.   If you do not like one of the three, you pay nothing, and the 3 artists are paid in full in any case.   Let me know what you want it to say and that's it!

The cost is $250 plus shipping.   Shipping is around $18 per sign (to and from the US).   And 9.75% California sales tax for California residents.  
Pay after choosing your portrait. 
Multiple pets on one sign cost more ($325 for Double, $400 for Triple).

Let's keep these artists painting.

This hand-painted art form is fast disappearing in Kathmandu, as it already has in most parts of the world.   I pay fair trade wages, the artists get to paint again, pet lovers get a choice of three paintings for each commission, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living.   Everybody is happy.   Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!

You can tell that this is a valued family friend.

 

Live from Kathmandu: Nepal's Day of the Dog 2015

Tibetan Terrier on Nepal's Day of the Dog

This Tibetan Terrier looks like he lives the good life 365 days a year, but he sure looks good with malla and his tika.

 

These two Nepali Retrievers looks happy and healthy on Kukur Tihar

Kukur Tihar is a shopping day for the dogs' Nepali masters, too.   These golden retrievers wait patiently for their next treat.

 

Nepali Dog with marigolds on Kukur Tihar 2015

Kukur Tihar is enjoyed by all dogs.

This dog is having his day.

This beautiful Spitz is obviously well-loved.

You can see Spitz' everywhere in Nepal.   They look particularly nice with a red tika on their foreheads...

To see previous years' blogs of the Day of the Dog in Nepal, click here.

More tomorrow, you can see Sagar's early portraits of beautiful dogs and cats.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am in Nepal right now and accepting orders.

Since there is expected political unrest in Nepal in November, please get your orders in early...

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the November 2015 trip.  I will be back in early December 2015 in plenty of time to mail holiday orders.

1. Please send me a photo of your pet.  I will give it to three different artists, giving you a choice of 3 paintings and three people will get work.   Each painting is about one square foot and is on metal with synthetic enamel paint.   These can be hung indoors or out.

2. Let me know what you would like it to say.

3. Let me know what style of portrait you would prefer:   naive, realistic, colorful, etc.

4. Tell me your pet's name and breed.   

5. Send your photo to me at:   [email protected]  
That's it !

Satisfaction is guaranteed as I accept no money up front.   If you do not like one of the three, you pay nothing, and the 3 artists are paid in full in any case.   Let me know what you want it to say and that's it!

The cost is $250 plus shipping.   Shipping is around $18 per sign (to and from the US).   And 9.75% California sales tax for California residents.  
Pay after choosing your portrait. 
Multiple pets on one sign cost more ($325 for Double, $400 for Triple).

Let's keep these artists painting.

This hand-painted art form is fast disappearing in Kathmandu, as it already has in most parts of the world.   I pay fair trade wages, the artists get to paint again, pet lovers get a choice of three paintings for each commission, and I get to help Nepali artists make a living.   Everybody is happy.   Rescue dogs from America get to rescue artists from Nepal!