>>36000105You're too busy wanting to be right to realize that the animals in the zodiac are chosen by visual appearance, and substitutions occur all the time, and the symbology predates the myth that explains the animals and order.
Goats and Sheep are interchangeable
Cats have been substituted for Rabbits
Pheasants for Roosters
Mice, Hamsters, Shrews for Rats
Civets, Apes and Lemurs for Monkeys
Tapir and Elephants for Pigs
and yes, Foxes for Dogs
This makes it incredibly broad - which is why yes - the Zodiac theory will never go away - and why it can never really be debunked even if Gamefreak doesn't actually consciously do the Zodiac and it's all been a big coincidence.
The Fox for Dog thing is acknowledged even in Japan in mythology. Shiisa or 'Temple Lion Statues' are pretty much guard dogs in demeanor and duty - and the reason why breeds such as the Pekingese, Shih-Tzu, Lhasa Apso, Tosa and the like exist is because they were bred to resemble these statues. How does relate to foxes? The Inari legend where foxes assume the guard dog role and protect the shrine. Much like the Shiisa, the Inari Foxes are also venerated on the year of the dog, and get special offerings.
