“If you eliminate smoking and gambling, you will be amazed to find that almost all an Englishman's pleasures can be, and mostly are, shared by his dog.”
—George Bernard Shaw (playwright)

Our journey across the pond, has been a cornucopia of visual and sensory excitement. Transplanted to this old world, which is new to me, my head has been on a constant swivel. Eyes darting back and forth, up and down. Trying to see it all. Absorb it. Burn as much as I can onto the synapses of my organic hard drive.

It's a fascinating journey, featuring new twists each and every day. Even the simplest of tasks bring new challenges and life experiences. A trip to the green grocers for you daily supplies, the coin laundry to wash the over-sized comforter that will not fit into the tiny washer-dryer,  or even just walking the dogs.

The U.K. is a country that h as gone to the dogs. The status of  'Man's best Friend'  is elevated to a different level. As I start to filter my initial sensory explosion I can see certain patterns arise and one of those is the treatment of our canine friends.

Here, especially in Hampstead, dogs are everywhere. On the streets, in the pubs and shops, and especially on the Heath.

'A paper published in the Veterinary Record by Dr Jane Murray in the Department of Clinical Veterinary Science at Bristol University and colleagues, aimed to estimate the number of UK domestic cats and dogs and identify the characteristics of their owners.
In April 2011 there were approximately 10.5  million owned dogs in the UK and 39% of UK households own at least one dog. And more than a quarter (27%) were rescued or obtained from a shelter. This in a country with a human population of just over 63 million.'

You don't notice them at first, for they are the mostly well behaved. But suddenly out of the corner of your eye you catch a  glimpse of soulful eyes peering out from under a table. Hear the thump, thump, thump of a tail beating time on a chair leg or catching the eye of someone's canine companion on the Tube.

On leash, off leash, our three dachshunds are having the time of their lives. The trip over for them was simple, and hassle free. Enlisting the services of a pet relocation company, the process is fairly straight forward. Gone are the days of extended quarantines and isolation. As long as the protocols for their health histories and check ups are documented, and proper adherence  to  vaccination schedules, it is a door to door time frame.

Naturally occurring Rabies does not exist here in the U.K., and they are rightly proud and profoundly protective of that fact.  There have been reported cases, but in those incidents people were bitten outside the country and developed the disease upon their return. So, as long as your dog is current with his vaccinations  approximately three weeks from the time of travel and they are tagged with an internationally recognized microchip, it is just a matter of paperwork and a plane ticket. A doctors check in the US and a doctors check when they land at Heathrow, along with a deworming and they are good to go. We were advised not to sedate, they fly in their individual crate in a climate controlled, darkened portion of the hold. They were delivered to us seemingly none the worse for wear and happy to be reunited with us.

Our house hunt had only two criteria. The first was the ease of  commute for Marcia to get into Central London and the other was a dog friendly property. We were lucky to have discovered  Hampstead. An enviable combination of historic quaintness and charm, while being in close proximity to Central London.

Hampstead's ace in the hole, it's crowning glory,  is the Hampstead Heath. Nearly 800 acres of rolling hills and undeveloped fields of pure joy for the unleashed pup. From it's highest point, Parliament Hill, a stunning overview of Central London is offered only 3.5 miles away. Quite a bit different from the other of London's green spaces. It is wholly undeveloped or manicured. Paths cross the rolling fields. And if a jaunt across the grass is not to your liking modern paths offer a smoother transit. The heath is a destination for the urban dweller of London, an open unadulterated green space offering the bicyclist, the walker, the dog owner and those seeking a peaceful respite, an opportunity to achieve their bliss.

For the unfettered dog it is pure heaven. Romping with the wind, burrowing in the little grass hillocks chasing grounded little creatures, forever trying to catch a raven, pidgeon or seagull. The heath is open for our four legged friends and allows them to be the best they can be.

It's a Friday afternoon at our favorite neighborhood pub, The Flask, just steps away from the house down a steep cobbled stone street. Two pups spend the afternoon with their respective owners just tables apart. Quiet respectable patrons at ease within their environs.At first the presence of the dogs in the pubs was a novelty. Now it is second nature to see them enjoying the company of their owners.

Our daily walks include another passion of mine. No something other than  bourbon, coffee.  A devout coffee drinker, I had a wonderful neighborhood caffeine dispensing establishment in Palatine, Norma's Coffee Corner. It was my 'Cheers' a comfortable place to imbibe my other dark liquid that wasn't alcohol based.
I've found my craving wanting.  Coffee is different here. In the land that makes brewing tea a high art, coffee is but an after thought. But we have persevered and discovered a similar shop that delivers that same type of atmosphere. The dogs love it as well. As we wander the stree  ts on our daily constitutional, the pups lead the way. Noses to the ground, their brain receptors are programed to wind up at Shamineh Art Gallery and Cafe in Hampstead. They pull and strain and head straight for the door. Welcomed with open arms and a friendly atmosphere, they care not for the  black Americano I will order. They know only, the home baked biscuit treats, created especially for them and their kind.  Hello my babies, coos Farida the owner,  and the dogs respond in kind. Offering their mos t energetic tail wagging and greeting. And then get down to the business of those cookies.

Scanning the news from back home, we happened across an article about how the Metra was going to do a trial run for pets to be on-board the train, crated and only in limited areas.  I had to laugh, the Metra board would do well to take a few rides on the Tube and get introduced to the very animal friendly Underground and the island nation that values it's four legged residents.

Just look down, you'll see a pair of soft brown eyes peering back. Happy to be experiencing ' Just another day in Paradise' with you.