A member of Canada Post shows domestic rate stamps of the year of Dog in Toronto, Canada, Jan. 15, 2018. Canada Post issued the Year of the Dog stamps and collectibles on Monday in celebration of the upcoming Chinese Lunar Year of the Dog. (Xinhua/Zou Zheng)

VANCOUVER, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) --- Canada Post on Monday released its annual two-stamp issue to mark the Lunar New Year -- the Year of the Dog.

The Year of the Dog stamps incorporate Chinese lanterns as a central design element. The customary red and gold dominate the design.

A permanent domestic-rate stamp features an endearing small dog that looks ready to rush headlong into the year ahead, while the international-rate stamp shows a larger, dignified canine, one foot raised in anticipation.

"Canada Post is proud to once again mark the vibrant and festive occasion that is the Lunar New Year, celebrated by Canadians of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and other East Asian heritage," said Canada Post President and CEO Deepak Chopra in a release. "The annual unveiling of this stamp issue has become a much-anticipated event."

The stamps are designed by Vancouver's Subplot Design Inc with illustration by Meimei Mao and photography by Raeff Miles.

The Year of the Dog stamp issue includes a traditional gummed pane of 25 domestic-rate stamps, which includes four Chinese blessings, presented in calligraphy by Albert Ng, member of the Order of Ontario, plus both Permanent domestic- and international-rate stamp booklets and a broad selection of philatelic collectibles.

It also has the international-rate official first day cover (OFDC), which also features a traditional Chinese blessing, is unsealed to facilitate the Chinese New Year tradition of giving money in a red envelope.

The Year of the Dog begins on Feb. 16, 2018, and runs to Feb. 4, 2019. Loyal, trustworthy and courageous, the easy-going individuals born under the sign of the Dog are believed to willingly put others' well-being above their own.