We all love HL for its stunningly appointed houses, stealing a few voyeuristic moments into the lives of others. But, as far as we're concerned, the real heroes of our home shoots aren't the boudoirs or the bathtubs, the decor or the design. The real heroes, the unsung heroes, are the perfectly pampered pets! At times flirtatious but mostly nonchalant, here are some of the adorable furry family members that steal the photo shoot spotlight:  

1. Time for a dip...

A light-flooded, minimalist home belonging to Joburg advertising couple James Moffatt and Marc Watson is the scene for their beloved pooch's afternoon dip. This home originally featured in the June 2015 issue of HL.  

2. A watch dog at tea time

As the name suggests, the Karoo View Cottages offer spectacular vistas overlooking the tranquil desert surrounds, and this pup is perfectly perched for the viewing. This house originally featured in the May 2015 issue of HL.

3. Professional leisure cats

For the owner of this leafy Higgovale home, the biggest luxury is living with nature, and these contented cats totally agree. This home originally featured in the August 2015 issue of HL.

4. Cool cat

A sensitive renovation, this Pretoria home sits high above the city with views to die for, just like their beloved kitty discovers. This home originally featured in the June 2015 issue of HL.

5. He's smiling now, but just wait...

A boldly conceptualised family home in Constantia provides welcome respite for its owners, but mostly for the pooch. This home originally featured in the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of HL.

6. Who's that gorgeous fella?

A family home in Pretoria evokes easy living with smart thinking - and this pampered pup knows all too well on the latter. This home originally featured in the April 2015 issue of HL.

7. Welcome to my humble abode

Floating among the trees, this suspended concrete home opens out into the garden, making it easy for the kitties to come and go. This home originally featured in the August 2015 issue of HL.

8. A perfectly blank canvas just for me

Victorian elegance prevails in this grande old dame of a home in Camps Bay, and the family dog fits in just perfectly. This home originally featured in the April 2015 issue of HL. READ MORE: HL's Most Chilled Out Pets 14 Home Modifications for Pets Crazy for Cats