Diwali is celebrated with bonfires, candles, fairy lights, diyas (traditional earthen lamps), and rangolis (traditional floor art).  Friends and families gather together, sharing their joy, food, and gifts with one another.

The first day, Kaag Tihar (Kwah Pujā), is dedicated to corvids – crows and ravens.  Their cawing represents grief and sadness.  Sweets are left on rooftops for them to fend off this despair.  On the third day, Gai Tihar, cows are venerated with garlands and the best grass, because they signify wealth and prosperity.  Houses are cleaned and adorned with marigolds and chrysanthemums.  There are other celebrations on the fourth and fifth days for oxen and for sisters to thank their brothers for the protection they provide.

But the second day, Kukur Tihar (Khichā Pujā) is set aside for dogs, who are believed to be messengers of the Lord Yamaraj, the god of death. Yamaraj is said to have two dogs – Shyam and Sadal – who guard the entrance to hell. There is a very special relationship between people and dogs, as they were one of the first domesticated animals, so they are decorated with garlands and tika (marks on the forehead), which makes each of them sacred and empowers them to bless all those they encounter on this day.  They are treated to heaps of scrumptious food.  Pets and street dogs alike are blessed and pampered throughout the day.

The post Dogs Are Celebrated in Nepal’s Kukur Tahir Festival appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

In Nepal  they celebrate the Tihar Festival.  The five day event honors many things throughout, but on the second day the honorees are the dogs.

Day two of the festival is called Kukur Tihar.  During this part of the festival, dogs are worshiped as representations of the Hindu god Bhairav.

Dogs are given flower garlands as a sign of the people’s respect for the wonder that is the relationship between dog and man.

The dogs are marked on the forehead with red powder paint, which is a common practice among Hindus to signify sacredness.

It should come to no surprise that the dogs are also lavished with delicious foods and treats.  What dog wouldn’t love that?!

Basically, on the second day, dogs rule.  End of story.  Judging by the photos, there seem to be many happy dogs in Nepal.

So, if you were looking for a festival that is dog friendly, and will give them a day dedicated specially to them, Nepal is the place for you!

The festival takes place in the fall, but you don’t actually need to take your pet all the way there if it isn’t convenient.

Many people around the world celebrate the day and honor their pooches, who is sometimes the best member of the family all together.

The 9th of November, 2015 is Kukur Tihar.  Why not show your dog some love?  We would love to see pictures of your dog adorned with his or her floral garland!

The post Nepal Festival Celebrates Sanctity of Dogs’ LIVES appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

Karen Latchford and her boyfriend Chris Ashdown were away when the earthquake hit Nepal two weeks ago.  Their dog Tara was in a kennel, and they were devastated, thinking that she was most certainly dead.  But amazingly, she was found alive and is doing well.

Chris is a civil engineer and Karen is an English teacher.  They have lived in Nepal for the last year, and will soon be moving to Ethiopia for an irrigation project.  Dogs often have to stay in quarantine for a while when traveling to another country, so Tara was kept in Nepal while Chris and Karen went on a brief visit home in the UK.

Tara was staying at Paradise Boarding Kennels in Kathmandu when the 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked the area.  Karen tried to get a hold of the kennel, but was predictably unable to get through.

She issued a mass appeal to the public to help find Tara and let her know that she was okay.

“I understand it’s a tragedy and lives have been lost and it may seem selfish but I just want to make sure she’s OK that’s all. She’s basically my family. I don’t have any children and she’s my baby.”

The couple has had Tara since they adopted the English Springer Spaniel as a puppy in Pakistan.

“Tara is friendly, she loves people. Just like her name she’s an absolute star. We were offered two puppies in Pakistan and she just ran up and leapt into Chris’ arms. She loves people, she loves playing. Full of energy, runs around, plays all the time,” Karen said.

“We’re just so worried and if there’s anyone out there who can help please let us know.

“I just hope maybe someone has seen her and will get in touch.  We’ve got numbers for the kennel but can’t get in touch with anybody. We’ve managed today to get two mobile numbers for managers but they are not connecting.”

Thankfully, a veterinarian visited the site of the kennel and found Tara alive.

“We are just so, so relieved she is okay – it’s wonderful. The vet has checked her over and said she is in good health,” Karen said.

“Now a friend is going to check on her, too. The airport is open but there are a lot of people being flown out so we don’t know when we will be able to fly her back.

“Food is running low there so we do want to move as quickly as we can.”

They are working on getting a flight as soon as possible.

“We are just so relieved and now we want her back.  But at the same time we know there are a lot of dogs in Kathmandu not getting this attention and care and we are worried about those, as well.”

Karen is deeply concerned about all who have been affected by the catastrophe.

“I know from speaking to my friends in Nepal that aid is finally getting through and making it out to more remote areas.

“I just hope everyone we knew – all the students I taught and the teachers I worked with – are fit and well and that their families are, too.”

The post Dog Feared to Be Dead in Nepal Earthquake Found Alive appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.