Meimei & Snowy have very different personalities, but their love for each other (and their family) could not be stronger. We caught up with them at Lof 10
Sheung Wan is a bustling part of town that is filled with art galleries, great bars, cheap eats, creative shops, and vegetarian restaurants we love. Two long-time residents of the area, Meimei and Snowy recently sat down with us and their human Jan Pang to talk about life in Hong Kong.
Meimei and Snowy: Sheung Wan sisters
Hi, ladies. Thanks for meeting with us. Can you tell us a little about how you ended up living with Jan?
Snowy: Well, about ten years ago, I was actually living with her sister in Sai Kung along with my litter. Jan was dumped by her boyfriend and feeling down, so I was chosen to go and live with to protect her and make her happy. As a typical chihuahua, I’m fiercely protective. I love Jan so much, and if anyone tries to come too close to her, then I bark. That includes her husband, Alexis.
Meimei: Actually, it was because of Snowy’s fierceness that I came into Jan’s life. Apparently she used to bite Jan’s new boyfriend (now husband) while he slept and he needed someone in his corner, so they went to Hong Kong Dog Rescue. They found me when I was just four months old and quite sick. I’m part French Bulldog and part Boston Terrier, so I was brought into the family to help even things out.
Interesting. So it sounds like you are quite different. Can you describe each other for me?
Meimei: Snowy likes to sleep a lot! She would sleep 18 hours a day if she could!
Snowy: Yes. Well, you are constantly out socialising. You love everyone and you’re friends with all the dogs in the neighbourhood.
Meimei: It’s true. I just love hanging with other dogs… especially Frenchies!
What do you both like eating?
Snowy: We’re very lucky, as our humans cook our food for us. Most days we enjoy broccoli, sweet potato and a mix of fish or chicken. They don’t think that the bad ingredients that go in to some dog foods should go into us.
Meimei: And when it’s our birthday or a special day, we get tenderloin. I love tenderloin!
Do you have some favourite dog-friendly cafés that you like to hang out in?
Meimei: Well, we like it here at Lof 10 obviously, as we’re allowed inside! We also go inside at Why 50. They make good avocado on toast.
Snowy: I like going to Common Ground in Sheung Wan. The humans like the coffee there. And Polygon Cafe has a good outside area.
What’s your favourite place to visit in Hong Kong with your family?
Meimei: There’s a secret waterfall in Tai Tam! I used to be scared of the water, but now I love it, and every time we go there I’m in dog paradise. I love swimming anywhere!
Snowy: On Friday nights after-work, lots of owners take their dogs down to Tamar Park. It’s kind of like a party there from 9pm. Though Meimei is my only dog friend, I do like looking at all the other dogs and occasionally barking at them.
Let’s talk going to the vet. Obviously never a pleasant experience, but do you have any recommendations?
Snowy: Definitely Acorn Veterinary Hospital in Sai Ying Pun. The staff there are so nice, and they brought me back from the brink a few years ago, so I trust them implicitly.
Meimei: I agree. They are very good. And when Snowy was very sick and we couldn’t go to visit, they used to send us pictures of her so we could check on her, which I think is woof-tastic!
Is there anything you would like to change about being a dog in Hong Kong?
Snowy: Well, we hear that dogs in Sweden and some other countries are able to ride the bus and the MTR.
Meimei: We would love to be able to do that in Hong Kong! It would make getting around so much easier for us and our family.
Finally, let’s talk about cats. Thoughts and feelings on them?
Snowy: I’m indifferent, but Meimei loves them.
Meimei: I do! But once, I was walking down Queen’s Road West and this cat come out of one of the Chinese medicine shops like lightning and attacked my face. Those felines move quickly!
Be sure to follow the adventures of Meimei and Snowy on Instagram.
