Dachshunds to Suzhou!

I'm currently relocating a dog named Maddie from the Indianapolis area to Suzhou, China. I just got off the phone with the USDA and all of her export paperwork is ready to go! I got curious about Suzhou, as I don't hear much about it very often from here in the middle of Austin, Texas!

Of all the places I've looked up online in Asia, I think this so far is the place I am most curious to visit. It looks beautiful -- known for its water gardens, pagodas and landscaping, it is known as the "Venice of the East" because of the canals that criss-cross throughout it. Here's some more information on it that I found. There are 60 classical gardens and, as the local saying goes, "There is Paradise above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below."

Located in northwest Suzhou lies Tiger Hill (Huqui). Tiger Hill is the burial site of the father (He Lu) of the King of State of Wu, Fu Chai, who was buried along with 3,000 swords. Legend states that following the burial, a white tiger appeared and guarded the tomb, thus the name, "Tiger Hill." There is speculation that the tomb rests below the Tiger Hill Pagoda. The pagoda was first built in the Five Dynasties Period. It is octagon in shape with seven stories.

One of the four major Gardens in China is the Lingering Garden, which was built during the reign of Emperor Jia Qing of the Ming Dynasty (1522 - 1566AD). The garden is landscaped in the traditional Ming style, with its pavilions lining the water, surrounded by flowering plants and trees, as well as historic stone bridges.

Maddie the dachshund departs on Saturday, and will arrive in China on Wednesday afternoon. She sure is going to be living in a very beautiful city!

Maddie at her home in Indianapolis, waiting for her big adventure!