The Shanghai Airport is one which has a bit more class than our little Chengdu city’s out-of-town landing pad.

            I learned that in a hurry upon my arrival here last week to drop off Lao-lao into the hands of Globy Pet.

             Just as an update, Lao-lao (our semi-toothless stray found in Chengdu) has been with Globy Pet Relocation Co., Ltd. here in Shanghai for one week.

            Globy Pet is an international pet transportation service which saw to all of Lao-lao’s documentation requirements, overseas’ health checks and export-import needs from both countries, China and the U.S. 

            I brought him last Friday since a week was needed for Globy Pet to get him officially ready for overseas’ departure. After handing him over to staff member Emily, I returned to Chengdu and Luzhou to finish up my  goodbyes.  Now I’ve returned to Shanghai for an overnight before leaving early morning tomorrow to America, with Lao-lao sharing the room with me as well.

A Happy Reunion

            This afternoon at 4:30, I landed in the new wing of the airport, which is was filled with fancy shops and beautiful wide, glass-enclosed walkways.

            After I picked up my luggage, Globy Pet Shanghai staffer, Emily (Shen Jun) was once again waiting for me with a very happy Lao-lao.  He was so excited to see me! 

            After opening his carrier, he scrambled out into my arms.  We drew quite a large crowd of curious Chinese who came to peer at the squirming, excited little dog.

             “Oh!  It’s a Chihuahua!  How cute,” they said.

            Emily handed over his documents and explained what I needed to do with these. I now have what I need to show tomorrow for check-in and also on the US end.  This will be my first time through the "red" zone.  Sure hope it goes as planned. 

            For the U.S., as long as Lao-lao’s papers are in order, there will be no quarantine. We just directly land in Detroit, go through the necessary declaration area and exit into the terminal for our continued flight to Indianapolis.

            I have a special in-cabin carrier for his journey and will be lining that with absorbent padding.  He can’t exit from his carrier the entire flight (14 hours), which is going to be hard for him, but those are the rules. 

            I’m certainly not about to break them and get us kicked off the plane.

Setting Up A Dog-Friendly Hotel

            Emily and Lao-lao weren’t the only friendly faces  to greet me at the passenger arrival gate. 

            Ken was there as well.

            Last week, before I boarded on my flight back to Chengdu, I went to the Shanghai Hotel Reservation desk to ask about a hotel that would allow a small dog for a night.

            The two Chinese gentlemen manning the desk were “Ken” and “Sky”. 

            Ken made some calls but wasn’t having any luck as he was trying  the up-scale foreigner hotels. 

            “No dogs,”the managers were telling him, thinking it very strange that he was even asking. 

            When I explained that I could speak some Chinese and was looking for a cheap place, Ken’s face lit up.

            “Just a minute!” he said, hailing Sky in the next cubicle. “My colleague knows all these places.  He can help you.”

            Sure enough, after a few phone calls, Sky had 3 dog-friendly airport lodging choices for me where  the average Chinese taveler usually stays:  A $78 hotel, a $45 hotel and a $40 one. 

            I wanted a nice place for dog walks so Sky suggested the $45 one, which is where I am at the moment.

            All I needed to do was give Sky or Ken a ring upon my arrival on Thursday. One of them would meet me, see to helping with my luggage and get me onto the hotel shuttle.

            And that’s exactly what I did.

Our Airport Hotel

            Ken showed up and ushered me to the shuttle, where I had a very nice chat with the driver to our destination, the Eastern Stars Garden Scenery Hotel.

            The name itself certainly describes the setting. We’re out in the farmland area surrounding the airport, making this a very fresh-air kind of dwelling.  But the real selling point for me and Lao-lao is a lovely grassy park in front of the hotel.  There’s a little gazebo, wooden walking bridge that arches over a small pond, lots of pretty grassy landscape and pretty stone walkways for strolling about. 

            As soon as Lao-lao followed me down the hotel steps and out into the parking lot, he joyfully took off for a roll in  grass.  Being cooped up in a kennel for 6 days, he was ready to get the run out of his system. 

            We didn’t stay out long, however.  Shanghai is incredibly hot, sticky and humid this evening but in the air-conditioned comfort of our hotel, we are really enjoying this place.  And free Net hook-up as well!  Who can beat that for $45 a night?

            Next entry I hope will be of a happy landing in America without any unexpected glitches. 

            So for now, from the countryside of Shanghai, here’s sending you Ping An (peace) for your weekend.