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.

 

Live from Kathmandu: Street Dog Feeding Time in Boudha

There are many street dogs that hang out near the World Heritage Site of Boudha in Kathmandu.

Tibetan ladies feed the street dogs of Boudha

In earlier posts, I photographed a tiny Tibetan woman that regularly fed the street dogs around the Stupa.   Alas, she passed away last year, but two new Tibetan ladies have taken up the mantle and feed them daily.   

Morning around the Boudhanath Stupa

Morning is the best time to see the fascinating life around the Stupa.   People from all walks of life enjoy a walk around Boudha's Stupa.   Usually they circumnavigate the huge structure 3 times.   A great way to start the day.

A favorite dog in Kathmandu

This is Tippy, aka Kali (black in the Nepali language), a local dog that lives near my guest house in Boudha.   He always has a tail wag for me.

Typical Beware of Dog sign in Nepal

This sign has been around for a while and is beginning to get a nice patina.   Love that Danger Dog tongue!

Bodhi, from a recent Danger Dog trip

The handsome Bodhi, hand painted on metal by Sanjib Rana, Sagar Bitsa and Megh Raj Thapa (clockwise from top left) is a fine example of what you can expect when you order your own pet as a Nepal Art Dog (or Cat!).   Bodhi's sign are both in English and Tibetan script.

It is time to immortalize your own pet!

You can order your own portrait of your own dog and help to support the sign painters of Nepal whose work is disappearing.

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

Now is the time to order:   Be ahead of the Pack!   Orders now being accepted for the Spring 2014 trip.  I will be back in June 2014.

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 $22 per sign (to the US).   And 9.75% California sales tax for California residents.   For overseas orders, I find the least expensive method of shipping.
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!

 

Visions of the Stupa at Boudhanath

The Boudanath Stupa is interesting at any time of the day.

I heard a commotion and found this Tibetan lady feeding the many dogs that hang out around the Stupa.  Not all of them are street dogs, as evidenced by a collar or two, but all of them like her food.

This lonely pup sits on the steps of one of the many gompas that line the Boudhanath Stupa.   She looks lonely and a bit in need of some of that food the Tibetan lady hands out.   When I try to feed the dogs my scraps, they don't like my food - no matter how hungry they are.   Whole wheat toast?   Cheese rinds?  No way!

You can tell that this photo was taken in the early morning because of the huge flock of pigeons that swarm the Stupa.

Boudha is always fascinating with many rituals taking place night and day.   This huge pile of rice and snacks will be gone by the end of the evening, rolled up and given to poor people.

The music and light cannot be captured by my simple camera, but it is very beautiful here at Boudha Stupa, day and night.

This handsome Dalmation is hand painted on metal by Lal Karki.   One of my personal favorites, it is available at Nomad in Cambridge, Mass.   This is an example of a native Danger Dog and is similar to the ones that used to be common on the streets of Kathmandu but are sadly disappearing.

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

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 2013 trip.  I will be back in early December 2013 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).

If you have already ordered the price will remain the same, forever.   ie, if you are one of the lucky ones who ordered in 2007, your price will never change.  

 

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!

Pigeons and Laxmi Puja in Boudha

 

Monks feed the pigeons each morning

Every morning thousands of pigeons congregate on the Boudha Stupa to be fed by the Tibetan locals.

 

 

Pigeons flock to Boudha

 

They are very dramatic in their large numbers.   They are mostly gone after 9 am.

The Tibetans put out pathways to guide Laxmi Puja to their house to bestow wealth in the coming year.  The Festival of Lights or Deepawalli is part of the Tihar holiday.   Locals circumnavigate the Boudha Stupa in the background in their daily 'kora' of 3 passes around the stupa.

 

Marigolds line the path to attract Laxmi to their door.

 

 

Lhasa Apso near a vegetable stand in Boudha

Even in Buddhist Boudha, some celebrate Hindu festivals.   As in the many dogs with garlands even days after the Day of the Dog.   Though this little Lhasa Apso has long lost hers.

 

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

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 2013 trip.  I will be back in early December 2013 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).

If you have already ordered the price will remain the same, forever.   ie, if you are one of the lucky ones who ordered in 2007, your price will never change.  

 

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: Chhath Festivities

It seems like this is the time of year for festivity after festivity.  After last week's Tihar, Chhath comes a few days after with its own fascinating rites and rituals.   This time the focus is on dawn and dusk on the riverbanks of Nepal.   

During Chhath, a Hindu ceremony, everyone gathers by the side of the river - and sometimes in the river - to worship the sun, aka Surya in the Nepali language.   Originally only practiced in the Terai, or the southern low-lying rice basket of Nepal, in the last 6 years the practice of Chhath has spread to the Kathmandu Valley.

Fireworks were part of the spectacle.   Even though outlawed, firecrackers were common.

The ceremony is believed to bring prosperity, well-being and progress as well as curing skin conditions including leprosy.

Nepal's current President, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav, turned out for the ceremonies, though he and his party were in a separate tent from the locals.

The Nepali police wasted no time in moving us so that the President could drive through.  They gently waved their batons. 

As the sun sets, the ladies gather with their offerings of flowers and food.   The women also fast and eat no meat during this four-day holiday.   Some towns in Nepal have become completely vegetarian for the holiday and butcher shops take the days off.

People wait patiently to get across the river to the main temple area of Pushupathinath.

The president's private tent was on the other side of the river from main festivities.   The name Chhath is from the number 6 in the Hindu language.   Chhath is also celebrated in India by both Hindus and Jains.

This morning around the Boudha stupa, a black dog enjoys his drink from a small cup while another pup curls up in the sun.

Buster the Labrador Retriever by Baba, Megh Raj Thapa and Sagar (clockwise from top left)

Buster is a water dog that loves his Caribbean beaches.   He would be at home in the river with the Chhath celebrants.   His owner could not choose and bought all three of the above portraits.   Theya re all quite different and great in their own way.   Love the deep shadow on the beach on all three.

This is what you can expect when you honor your dog (or cat or bunny) 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.   Orders accepted through the end of November.

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

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, 2012, 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:   http://www.youtube.com/user/NepalDog

You will be happy you did!

Micro-finance through art patronage.    Trade not Aid.