My 18-month-old pup Sasha is everything. One of the most important things I had to figure out…read morebefore moving to Hong Kong from the States was finding a trustworthy pet sitter, when traveling for business or on holiday. I spent more than a few hours Googling dog boarding facilities and as soon as I landed upon the Play with Des page, I was reasonably sure I had found 'the one'. Play with Des offers kennel-free boarding at a family home in the New Territories, where it is incredibly green and peaceful and leafy. Unlike 99% of the boarding facilities in HK - Sasha gets to breathe in fresh air in the countryside, get taken on legitimate nature hikes, go outside 5-6 times per day, and romp around in a safe, fenced-in environment. While inside the house, he can make himself at home - and he often does, as sometimes I'll spy a photo of him relaxing on the sofa. Like a boss! Sasha LOVES being around other dogs, and he can count on there always being several furry friends to play with and socialize. And I love Sasha staying at Play with Des, because no matter where I am in the world, I can wake up and see my dog happy and thriving via Play With Des' prolific Twitter stream. How awesome is that? The couple that runs Play with Des - April and Robin - aren't just savvy business owners; they've become real-life friends whom I've shared a meal with and enjoy seeing when they pick-up and drop-off Sasha. They're warm, big-hearted, fun to chat up, and their love of animals is obvious to anyone they meet. Their business' name - Play with Des - is named after April's rescue dog, a sweet and gentle boy named Desmond. I completely trust Sasha in their care, and I've never seen Sasha more sad to leave a boarding facility. And when they pick him up? He's jumping up all over them, ecstatic to know he'll soon be spending a few days (or weeks) in doggy paradise! Now that's one hell of a terrific testimonial, coming directly from Sasha. Here's what you need to know: + Get acquainted with Play with Des rates and info via their detailed website (http://www.playwithdes.com/) + Email April with dates of care needed and vaccination records (the site specifies which ones are required) + Prepare your dog's food and also pack a bed or favorite toy, if desired + Someone from the Play with Des family will pick up your pup at your home + Stay off the internet during your holiday except to check out the photos of your dog looking blissfully content + Settle back in at home after your trip, and wait for your dog to be dropped off! Play with Des is such a life-changer. And for the record, their rates are completely reasonable for the comprehensive care and unlimited love your furry friend is receiving. So happy I've found Sasha's home away from home!

From the owner: Welcome to Play With Des, where dogs can be dogs! Going out…read moreof town and don't want your dog to stay at an expensive and stressful boarding facility? Bring them on over to Play With Des! We provide play-time, kennel-free boarding, and nature trail walking in our home, making your dog more comfortable and guaranteeing that they get lots of quality time with us and their 4-legged friends. Your dog can run around free in a safe, fenced in environment, go for walks and make themselves at home with Desmond and his friends. We promise to give your dog lots of love and care. Our home is on the ground floor and directly opens into the fenced-in yard. Your dog will get to go outside 5-6 times a day, so your dog will have many chances to use the bathroom and get fresh air in the countryside.

One of my bigger shocks upon moving to HK was discovering the costs associated with dog grooming…read more In San Francisco, $40-$45 USD was pretty typical for my 18kg mini Shar Pei. However, in Hong Kong I was quoted prices ranging from $500 - $700 HKD ($65 - $90 USD). Obviously, being the frugal shopper I am I chose the shop offering grooming services at the low end of the price range. So Miss Pet II it was! Sasha was a bit skittish once we walked inside, as there's usually a few very confident (ahem, assertive) dogs hanging out in the store. I believe they're the owners dogs as we walk by the shop every day and they're definitely furry fixtures! After dropping Sasha off, I returned two hours later to find the best version of my pup: fluffy, soft, and fresh-smelling, with the tidiest nails. Though I'm still adjusting to Sasha's new grooming costs, I'll continue to stick with Miss Pet II unless I find a better deal.

Miss Pet II has just about everything you might need for your furry friends, including a wide…read morevariety of food types, treats, toys and necessities like bowls, collars and leashes. The shop owner is extremely friendly and I appreciate that he recognizes me and knows my "food order" so to speak. He has also been helpful in the past in trying to connect me with a dog walker when we were in a bind, which certainly is above and beyond what he would need to do. Although pet products and services tend to be more expensive in Hong Kong than they were back in Washington, DC (I wistfully remember the days of ordering giant bags of all things dog on Amazon Prime), Miss Pet is quite reasonably priced for regular types of dog food (read: not organic or fancy), particularly if you buy in bulk. The resident dogs are fun and friendly, and I always enjoy spending some time petting them if I have to wait for a minute or two. Miss Pet II is definitely my go-to shop for pet supplies in Happy Valley.