Hello beautiful people and pets I’m very happy to be here. I’m Nikki originally from New Orleans, Louisiana in the USA. I’ve been living abroad in Shanghai for almost 7 years and I’m planning to move to Portugal. Back home I had three dogs all boys hehehe - a Chow chow, a Chihuahua, and a Shih Tzu. Here in Shanghai I’ve had a food business from home so wasn’t comfortable having pets (except my fish & axolotl) in my home and I’m looking forward to having some warm cuddles at home again soon in Portugal. I am planning some trips before Portugal in Paris & Amsterdam and hoping to meet some new furry friends along the way. Here in Shanghai I’ve done some sits for friends and also volunteering to take dogs & cats during my trips home as is for my upcoming trip to Paris in September. Excited to be a part of this platform.
Welcome @LetsGeauxNik to our Community Forum. We have a great group of members here who are full of great insight into petsitting and can answer most any question you may have. I see you have not completed your membership yet, and if you need any help, our Member Services Team is ready to help you with any questions you may have.
How was Shanghai? Never been but it is definitely on my bucket list. I hear the sights are amazing, very friendly people and quite tasty foods! Hopefully one day I will get there.
What part of Portugal are you looking to move to? We were just there about a month ago and absolutely loved it. We visited Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra, as well as many coastal towns. What a beautiful place!
We are looking forward to seeing many posts of your travels with pics of pets as well, so make sure you come back here while on a sit and share with us!
Take care and have a great day!
Debbie - Forum Team Moderator
Welcome Nik
I grew up in New Orleans, left when I went away to college and have only visited since - my parents were still there until Katrina and then back for work meetings and my 50th HS reunion in 2019.
TH has offered me some great travel opportunities except for the covid disruptions, but I’m still doing some wonderful sits in great places, many of which I’d not have visited if not for the sits.
You prompted me to look up axolotl - cute!
tom
Hello @LetsGeauxNik and welcome to the community forum 
We love Shanghai, it will certainly be nice to get back there once the restrictions are lifted. Enjoy Paris, Amsterdam & Portugal, all wonderful places too, we particularly loved Cascais when we toured around Portugal last year. Happy travels.
Hello @LetsGeauxNik. Like @toml I too had to look up axolotl. What cuties they are! How to Save the Paradoxical Axolotl | Science| Smithsonian Magazine
Hi @Debbie-L Lovely to e-meet you. I’m currently awaiting a new debit card to arrive so I can complete my membership. I’m leaning toward Porto or Coimbra, I’d like a little bit of a slower pace than Shanghai. 
Oh wow! I honestly don’t think I’ll be living back in Nola again but it’s a must to visit family often. I’ve even seen some wonderful sits at home so I’ll take up those opportunities because why not! Hoping to get some play dates in at least for my dog at home. Thanks for the warm welcome. Happy travels.
Ha! I’ll never forget I first learned of them in 6th grade Science class and I fell in love at first sight. Thanks for the article I’ll check it out.
I’ve heard Cascais is stunning I look forward to sharing photos.
We absolutely loved both of those places. Lisbon was a little too busy for us. Looking forward to seeing your adventures!
@LetsGeauxNik fabulous thank you 
Hi @LetsGeauxNik amI right in assuming (we know we should never assume) that you are helping to transport rescue dogs and cats from China to Paris? If so then thank you for caring and why not share some pics with our community …
Yes some are rescues o r some their families needed to leave quickly before paperwork was finished. Here’s a pooch that went to his new family in Los Angeles from Shanghai.
In September I’ll bring 2 from Shanghai to Paris a Cat in hold and a dog in cabin.
Wow! @LetsGeauxNik, what a wonderful thing to do! Thank you for helping connect pets with their people 
That is amazing @LetsGeauxNik !!! Thank you for helping our furry friends in need 
@LetsGeauxNik As Julie says, you are providing an a amazing service and as your post has been bumped I wonder if you have an update for us? Are you in Paris yet and has everything gone to plan?
Nik
I’m sitting my brother’s dogs now in Chapel Hill. Boudreaux is local but has a Louisiana name.
Tom
@toml what a beautiful furbaby!
Boudreaux love love love that name
Hi Vanessa I’m leaving in about 10 days. Now plan is to take the kitty and dog to Paris then I’ll immediately take the next flight to Naples with another dog waiting to be reunited with his owner. Then I’ll fly out next day to Amsterdam to relax from my 7 year China life. Hopefully I can find a sit there. After my China decompressing I’ll go to Portugal in search of my new home.