we break from normal pet types to bring you the year of the dragon

thanks wikimedia commons. public domain.

I wish there were dragons, actually, though they would be tough to house.  Here's a fabulous fellow from the hand of the great Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) to welcome you to the Year of The Dragon.  The curatorial spouse is a Dragon, so I couldn't very well talk up my Rabbit year and not give a shout to this benevolent creature.  The Asian dragon is considered awe-inspiring and powerful, but also just and a bringer of wealth and good fortune.  A good friend to have, no?  You can tell this is a Japanese, not Chinese, dragon because it has three claws on each foot, not four or (if he was an Imperial dragon) five.  Besides, he hasn't got any wings and is more serpentine in form.  You can learn all this and a lot more about Asian dragons at this very detailed and interesting page.  Come on, look at his face. How can you resist that friendly smile?
Happy Year of The Dragon to you all!