"May you have a prosperous Year of the Dog and may Taiwan prosper even more." It's the Year of the Dog and on Lunar New Year's Eve, the president released a video with a special Lunar New Year message addressing the nation. The president and his dog Brave star in the film to bring in the Lunar New Year as he wishes everyone wonderful beginnings.
This congratulatory video filmed at the presidential residence begins with a slew of well-preened dogs. The president then appears in casual dress along side his bounding dog Brave. The two appear to interact as naturally and familiar as members of the same family - they are clearly warm and trusting. The scene moves easily with the sound of rapid jazz music. The president voice narrates:
"It's the Year of the Dog. I have my own Taiwanese indigenous dog and his name is Brave. Brave is just like a Taiwanese. He's honest and straightforward, he is steadfast and sturdy. I like to train him to see if he can become a famous dog. Seeing-eye dogs can help people, brown poodles are known to bring wealth.. Why, even St. Bernards are capable of saving people."
Next in the film we see a variety of dogs of various types to indicate how this is the year of man's best friend - the dog. The film shows the cute animals one after another posing irresistibly cute. A clean and cherubic west highland white terrier named Sheesha, the husky who saved his owner recently, a vivacious bulldog, an innocent-looking pug, an intelligent-looking Labrador, that often serves as a seeing-eye dog and there is the expensive brown poodle, which has been en vogue recently because it brings a smile to the face and warmth to the heart.
The scene moves on gracefully as the president, Brave and Brave's trainer appear. The president's true self comes to view as he shows his fondness for Brave. The president makes a confession:
"Actually, Brave does not fully succumb, but still we expect a lot from him, he expresses enjoyment in doing his tricks and he does them willingly and he is true to his indigenous Taiwanese dog self. As long as he's happy, so are we. Dog is man's best friend and we should be dog's best friend in turn, because dogs give us a locus point for the warmth and trust that are our familial bonds - values that are more important than anything else.
The film ends with the president guiding Brave to wish every one a happy Lunar New Year, saying "May you have a prosperous Year of the Dog and may Taiwan prosper even more."