Bob Franken: The Year of the Dog

11 is the Year of the Dog. That is, if you're Asian and follow the Chinese zodiac. It rotates between the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. And as I mentioned, 2018 is a Dog year. That's a good thing, particularly when us Westerners remember Harry Truman's bromide: "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog."

But I was surprised to find out Donald Trump's birthdate also had the Dog as its sign, considering my affection for puppies. Obviously, he was so mistreated that he turned dangerously ferocious. His Christmas Day astrology fortune, by...