How the other half

(of me lives)

Most people know how much I cherish my garden. An acre of rural Hampshire. When we sold our home in rural Hong Kong we moved into an apartment we had let out. So now, when we go back, our home looks a little like this.

This is not our block but for millions of people in Hong Kong this is typically what home looks like.

I can adapt to either lifestyle. There are advantages to each. Ideally I would like my Hampshire home in Hong Kong but that is not possible. The real irony is that our home in Hong Kong is worth more than our home in Hampshire. Such is the absurdity of the HK property market.

Of course the determining factor of choice today is the dog. Lulu is not allowed to share our 26th floor apartment. She has the run of our Hampshire house, a basket for every room (almost) and her very own dog-wash basin and shower.Who’d want to be a dog? Live in a high-rise? Not woofing likely.

HRH Arrives

At 07.20 we headed off to Heathrow’s Animal Reception Centre. The SatNav worked for once and we arrived in good time. We hoped HRH would be available at 09.00.

We were greeted warmly by the staff at the centre. They said Lulu had arrived safely, was limping slightly but eating and drinking. The limp was I think from spending 18 hours in a crate. There was no sign of it when we saw her.

However we had to wait for the agents to process the paperwork when they arrived at 09.00. So we fell to chatting with other owners. All delightful people, one couple from Sai Kung just to make it even better. An Irish couple, tattooed and be-ringed, proved to be a lovely, warm couple with a small dog, a Brussels Griffon, that was just bursting with energy and affection when it came through. An an Ozzie waiting for his French Bulldog.

We were second in line. The lady came out carrying Lulu and with my iPhone I videoed the hand over to Mrs. Ha. Lulu was shaking and confused, much like me. She looked tiny but everybody made a huge fuss of her and she is already a star on the Centre’s Facebook page. Slowly she realised that after almost 3 weeks and a 6,000 mile flight she was back in her mum’s arms. She thawed out and the mass-lick started.

We brought her home and she is settling into her old routine. Eat, sleep and be merry. She is already listed as a guest on the cottage rental receipt. We are happy to be together with her again and we hope she enjoys the climate. This has been a happy day. A big thank you to the staff at LHR, who clearly love the animals. Every  one of you is a star.

Cat’s Eyes