I’d been eager to recreate a special photo of Lulu—just like the one I captured of Darcy years ago during our stay at the Dog House. Thrilled to finally snap the moment, I scrolled through my Instagram feed, searching for the original picture of Darcy. I didn’t remember the date, but there it was—October 2016. Nick, one of the owners of the Dog House still looked the same, though I swear the air had a crispness back then that I could almost feel.
But then, I thought—it’s October now. I decided to check the exact date in my iPhotos, and when I saw it, I gasped—14 October 2016. Exactly eight years apart—I took that photo of Darcy.
Coincidence? Maybe.
But then, I remembered what Darcy had shared with me through a pet psychic. She told me that she had brought Lulu into my life, and that it was time to let her go—not to forget her, but to embrace new memories with Lulu and George. This happens to be my first solo trip with Lulu. The timing of this trip made me feel as though fate was guiding my path. (Blog: Celebrating her Legacy)
After that initial stay, I tried several times to book the Dog House whenever I returned to Brugge, but it was always fully booked. Now, being back with Lulu feels like coming full circle. It’s as though fate intervened—aligning schedules with Rosie, the Parisian photographer who took those stunning photos of George and Lulu in Paris. We had talked about visiting Brugge, and miraculously, two days worked for both of us. And finding availability at the Dog House on such short notice and it was perfect timing, especially since I found out when we were there this time that Nick and Suzi are moving on to a new chapter at the end of December. I had not known that. When Darcy and I first stayed in October 2016, the Dog House had just opened in January, so being here now carries a sense of nostalgia and completion.
And we even had the same room!
We don’t really know Lulu’s exact age. The Harbin Slaughterhouse Survivors estimate she’s around eight. Eight years ago that day, she could have been a newborn—or perhaps not yet existed.
It all feels like the stars were aligned for us to be in Brugge at this moment in time. It’s as if a thread has gently woven itself across the years, connecting these memories.
For those wondering about George, he’s not here this time. The mode of transport wasn’t suitable for him, and he’s already had his own adventure in Brugge.
It made me contemplate parallel universes—where different decisions, moments, or lives might unfold along alternate paths. There’s something comforting in the thought that somewhere out there, every version of us continues to experience joy, loss, love, and wonder in ways we can’t even imagine.
In the end, I like to think that nothing is ever truly lost. Not when the echoes of the past continue to touch the present. And as Lulu and I retraced the steps I once took with Darcy, it felt like we were part of a story that never really ends—one that’s still being written, with every step we take.
Related blog: The Last Stop – when I visited with Darcy in October 2016
P.S. The Dog House will close its doors after the 31 December 2024. Brussels is mostly dog-friendly and I have stayed at other hotels with Darcy and George.
