FOR PHOTOGRAPHER Francesca Luk Wing-shan, raising her cats, Potato and Peanut, is more than just an act of love - it is also a personal learning experience.
'I have learned to be tolerant and observant. I now solve problems, instead of just moaning and complaining,' says 28-year-old Luk.
As a result, Luk now wants to share her experience in her first book, Peanut + Potato = Cats, a diary about her affinity with cats.
'I want to show people that pets have a life, like human beings. You have to be patient and determined if you want to keep them,' she says.
Luk adopted her first cat, Potato, from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in mid-1998, and Peanut six months later. Luk says cats suit her better than dogs.
'Dogs and humans are like servants and masters, but cats and humans are on an equal basis. Cats are independent. They don't rely on you taking them for walks or keeping them company. This is perfect as my work schedule is unstable. Plus Hong Kong's congested environment is not good for dogs. They need space,' says Luk.