Chinese New Year visiting is a marathon of mandarin oranges, pineapple tarts and relatives asking the same questions. For families with a dog, there is one more: does the dog come along? In plenty of households the answer is yes, especially at the homes of close family who already know and love the dog. A little preparation keeps the day pleasant for everyone.
Before you go
- Ask the host first. Not every home is dog-friendly, and some elderly relatives are nervous around dogs.
- Walk the dog early. A long morning walk makes for a calmer guest.
- Pack a bag. Water bowl, a mat, poop bags, a chew and a towel.
- Groom the day before. Relatives will want to pat and photograph the dog.
At the house
Keep the dog away from the snack table. Bak kwa, chocolate treats and anything with raisins or nuts should stay well out of reach. Set up the mat in a quiet corner so the dog has a retreat when the house fills with cousins. Keep visits short if your dog tires easily, and leave before things get overwhelming.
Dressing the dog for the occasion
Many owners like to put something festive on the dog for visiting days. A red outfit is traditional, but full costumes often get pawed off within minutes. A bandana is the simpler choice: it sits around the neck, clips on with a buckle, and shows up well in group photos.
Going a step further, a personalised dog bandana, ordered from Little Red Cute, shows your dog, illustrated from your own photo, next to the name. When aunties and uncles ask what the dog is called, the answer is right there. Pick a style that suits the season, and you end up with a festive piece that is still about your dog rather than a generic red-and-gold pattern.
- 100% polyester, with a buckle-style fastening
- Small suits necks around 35 to 44 cm, Medium around 39 to 51 cm, Large around 42 to 56 cm
- Sublimation printed, the design set into the fabric with heat
- Made to be washed
Ordering ahead of the festive rush
Because every bandana is produced to order in Singapore, plan well ahead of visiting season. Upload one clear, bright photo in which your dog’s whole face shows and points roughly towards the lens; phone pictures are fine. Select a look, and that picture is used to illustrate your dog. Next, the completed bandana shows on screen, and you give your approval before any payment, with nothing made until you do. Then, on the first day of the new year, your dog walks into grandma’s house dressed for the occasion and already introduced.
