For those who have watched the film Cast Away (I did the PR for it when I was back in London), you will remember the attachment the stranded and hairy Tom Hanks had to Wilson, a volley ball that became his best friend.
In fact he was photographed just two months ago at a hockey game, reunited with him.
Poppy Dog has struck up a similar relationship with a tennis ball. She hides it under furniture and barks furiously at it, trying to breathe life in to it. She bounces it off walls and balances in on her nose. It is her Wilson.
Hurrah for the much needed doggy company that arrived at the end of last week in the form of a bouncing baby border terrier named (by Cost Centre #1) Daffodil. Daffy for short.
We picked her up from Changi Cargo Terminal at the end of last week and being eager to rescue her from the confines of her cage as soon as we possibly could, arrived way too early and had to kill about an hour in near by Changi Village.
Last Thursday was exceptionally hot and humid but praise be to Changi Village’s rather dubious sounding ‘A Spoonful of Sugar’. Don’t let its rather laboured and spurious Mary Poppins connection put you off, it was a veritable haven complete with air con, ice cream, sorbets (try the soursop)…and even earl grey tea.
Cost Centre #1, fuelled by sugar, excitement and heat exhaustion was left behind in ice cream heaven with my mother who was visiting, while Mr Changmoh and I went off to collect Daffy.
Daffodil’s paperwork was straightforward enough, really. Here she is as I am filling out the last of the documents before we can take possession of her…
and give her a snuggle:
Her cage was beautifully done with a sheepskin liner that drained through to newspaper underneath. It was surprisingly dry despite the long journey. I loved the stickers on her cage too:
“Please talk to me…my name is Daffy.”
I’ve used these UK-based shippers twice (they bought Poppy over too) and I think they are great, making it as nice as they possibly can for the animals. I also like the “Please email us when your pet has arrived safely. We shall worry until we hear from you.”
There was a huge and very necessary notice (not in shot) saying, “Please make sure I have water at all times.”
Here she is on the way home from the airport:
…snuggling up with Cost Centre #1 in the car:
And meeting Poppy who, I am pleased to say, has cast Wilson aside in sheer delight at permanent doggy company.
Welcome to Singapore, Daffodil. She has been here for a total of six days now is already very much part of the family.
