Interview with South of the Clouds ShanLong „Lily“

Ever since Lily read her parents' interviews, she's been begging me interview her, too. She said she had a lot to share with the world.

Lily, why do you want to answer my questions at such a young age? Shouldn't we wait until you're a little older?

I'm old enough and I know everything I need to know!

If you say so... I spoke to your parents about their names first. Can you tell us something about your name?

Which name? I have three names!

Three?

Yes, ShanLong, Lily and Püppi („Dolly“)!

It's correct. Why do you have three names?

Because I'm something special, of course! My name Püppi I got because I'm so sweet and cute!

My name ShanLong exists only on my papers. And my name Lily because you thought ShanLong wasn't a good nickname.

ShanLong is a Chinese name but you are Swiss. How did that happen?

My parents are from China, and you seem kind of proud of it. Shan (珊) means coral and Long (龙) means dragon. Your Chinese name is LinShan (林珊). If you see my name written, my name is Coral Dragon. But there is another character in the Chinese language, which is also called Shan (山) and is pronounced the same way. And that means mountain in English. If you only hear my name it sounds like mountain dragon! And I like that. I come from the Swiss mountains and dragons are huge and powerful! You told me that my ancestors had many dragons. My grandma is the little dragon girl and my great-grandfather is the big dragon. I don't know any of them personally, but you have a lot of pictures of my ancestors hanging on the wall, which I like to look at.

I like Lily best, the name also has something to do with you. Because we not only partially share our Chinese name, but also the name Lily. You had a nickname when you were little like me. Everyone called you Lili. And since your Chinese name also starts with Li, I was quickly called Lily, with a Y!

You remembered all that very well!

I'm not stupid!

Nobody said that!

Who knows what you guys are talking behind my back, because I've heard you say before that my father isn't the brightest candle on the cake.

That's what we said, that's right... how do you like your life so far?

Overall, my life is great. Especially when your husband Pierre is with me. He's the best human in the world! When he is there I always want to be with him, I love him so much. I always lie near him at night, he says it bothers him, but I don't care. I like him so much! When I can't sleep, I put lots of toys in his bed. And it's so funny when he then moves and a toy starts to squeak!

Toys are the best anyway. Especially balls, they are so much fun. But we have far too few balls at home, I think there are only 15. You should buy more of them! My parents are the best parents in the world! They almost always let me do whatever I want and they both play with me so much. Only Maya never plays with me, that's such a shame because I like Maya so much too.

Running around outside is so much fun too. Chasing butterflies is great. When I was younger, I used to run after the big crows. Today I'm almost grown up and I know that was stupid. Butterflies are so much more beautiful and don't fly as fast as these birds.

You are outside a lot and meet many other dogs. Do you have dog friends outside of our family?

This is a difficult topic, because I find other dogs fascinating, but I don't want to get to know them better. When I was very small, we were always in this puppy group. There were great toys, but these other dogs were all loud and barked so much. That did not please me.

After that we went to the first course at the dog school. Then the same dogs were there again! And kept barking. I had to tell them a couple of times what I think of their behavior, then they finally left me alone and I was able to do great exercises with you. My trainer was great too. I liked her a lot. At one point I even allowed her to give me a cookie. You said that we're going to the next course soon, I don't know why, because I know everything I need to know, but I'm happy to come with you if you like it.

A few weeks ago I met two dogs who might become my friends. So far they've been very nice to me and don't bark. You always say they're trained well, whatever that means. Their names are Loon and Smilla and they are all black and have such beautiful eyes. However, they jump into the water and swim, I have no understanding for that.

Aside from barking dogs, is there anything else you dislike?

Yes! Human hands on my dog paws! That's awful!

What do you think about people?

Pierre is the best person in the world! I like him the most! You are OK. You always give me something to eat and we play and go for walks together, but you also want to do things with me that I don't like. You have taken me to this vet a few times, awful! And you want to touch my paws every now and then, claim you want to look at my claws. My claws are great! Pierre never does bad things to me, he's the best person in the world! That's why Pierre is allowed to pet me sometimes.

The human from our neighbour's cat Sisu, I like her too. She always gives me cookies and fun balls. Maybe she can pet me soon. And Loon and Smilla's human, she's really great. She was my trainer at dog school and keeps saying I'm cute.

If you could wish for one thing, what would it be?

I would like to go to a toy store every day and choose a new ball. You know, those shops where it smells so delicious. There are so many biscuits and sausages and food and above all so many toys. That would be great. There are also great dog beds. Can't we live right there? That would be great!

Thank you Lily for this interview

Did you see the little red ball? I think I have to look for it now.