The lucky dog in the Moscow Metro.
I was looking forward to using the Moscow Metro again. It is a work of art! Unfortunately, there is not much time for sightseeing as millions of people use it on a daily basis. Everybody is in a hurry and get upset if you are not moving quickly enough. However, things quiet down a little after a rush hour and then you can stop to admire the art.
This time around I was looking for something specific, something that I have missed in 2008. I was looking for the Metro with the lucky dog.
This Metro has bronze statues of soldiers with their K-9 friends. I am not sure how this ritual started but many say it started when students used to stop and rub the nose of the dog. It meant good luck. Later it spilled over to all people visiting the metro and now it is a ritual. You have to stop and rub the nose.
If you look at the photo you will see that it had been rubbed so many times it is shining! I also saw roosters in this Metro and people are starting to rub them too. I think it is such a nice gesture and I enjoyed seeing people smiling after they gave the nose a rub.
We used this metro late one evening and I had to take a picture of the soldier and his dog. I gave the nose a quick rub and then I hopped on the train. It didn`t bring me luck though, two days later we missed our flight!
Where to see the lucky dog in the Moscow Metro?
Where: Ploshchad Revolutsii station (Moscow Metro), Russia.
When: 19 May 2012
“It didn`t bring me luck though, two days later we missed our flight!” You know what I think? Don’t be sure it wasn’t luck. Trust that everything happens for a good reason. Maybe your good luck was to miss the plain as something bad might have happened in that flight!
You know Nikky I never looked at it like that! Who knows maybe it did bring me luck! Thank you for your comment and for showing me the flip side 🙂
What an interesting tradition and a great photo, Nelieta! And, I’m with Nikky – everything happens for a reason. 🙂
Hi Martha, thank you! I never thought about it that way 🙂 I agree, everything happens for a reason!
Oh, I’m sorry to learn that you missed your flight, Nelieta. And I’m with Nikky and Martha that indeed, everything happens for a reason. Events which we see as “bad luck” could be blessings in disguise.
God bless you, my friend! 🙂
Hi Irene, you are so right! I have actually read about people who missed their flights and then it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We had a couple of stressful hours but we survived. It is not fun to fight airlines or authorities in Russia.
I ile this story! The metro is beautiful!
Hi Nelieta, I just wanted to let you know that I have nominated you on My Blog for the Reader Appreciation Award, Much Love <3
http://nikkysstrengthandweakness-nikky44.blogspot.com/2012/05/sharing-love.html
Thank you so much!! What a great honour. I will pop over there right now…thanks!!!
Such a sweet tradition!
I also want to rub the nose of the dog!
Ahhh Nelieta…you may have missed your flight, but your good luck may still be had. Don’t give up on it too soon ☺ i love your photo. It’s amazing how something like this can get started and then carry over for centuries to come. Great post! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Mary, that is also another thing to consider! Maybe my luck is just taking some time 🙂 I think it is such a beautiful tradition especially in Moscow where people are not known for their friendliness 🙂
Dear Nelieta,
I’m well aware of the flight missing saga. No, it was not funny at the time, but you could say it’s all a part of your Russian experience…something to laugh over when you get back to Argentina and you recount your most memorable moments! Lovely capture! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Andy, yes it is true. I am sure in time we will look back at this and laugh…like you say, part of our Russian experience. I loved this dog and the ritual 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it Andy and enjoy your Sunday.
What a great tradition! We don`t have something like that in our Metro 🙁
I immediately looked at the nose LOL! I’m glad it still looked like it. It has the same fate as St. Peter’s bronze foot at the Basilica di San Pietro 😛
I’m sure missing your flight has nothing to do with luck or lack of it 😉
LOL…this is such a precious tradition. I will never forget it….I didn`t know about the foot of St. Peter! Interesting! Thank you fo sharing Melissa – I will read up about it!
A nice tradition. I like it!
I agree! I also rubbed the nose 🙂
Thank you for the information. I am going to use this for a school project!
As Charlie Sheen says, this article is “WINGINN!” LOL…great article Nelmi!!!