New For the Love of Dogs host Alison Hammond says it shouldn’t matter that she doesn’t actually own one as she explained why she hasn’t got a dog herself.
Some fans of the show were quick to air their annoyance at the selection of Paul O’Grady’s replacement on ITV and much of the backlash seems to have stemmed from the fact This Morning host Alison isn’t a dog owner herself. Paul loved the animals so much he set aside £125,000 in his will to ensure each of his five pooches were well taken care on.
The series returns to TV tonight and viewers will see Alison helping an abandoned puppy learn how to be bottle fed, and also sees other dogs go through brutal surgeries. However, Alison said that those tuning in will be able to see how even the most tragic stories can be turned around thanks to the love, support and treatments that the dog home staff provide.
Alison has outlined the reasons why she isn’t a dog owner after some questioned the decision to give her the gig. Speaking to GB News, the doting mum-of-one stood by her decision, explaining: “I’ve already come up with my strategy. I mean, I started off saying ‘I’m going to get a dog.’
“But as time went on, I realised how much actually goes into having a dog and to be a responsible owner is to recognise your own circumstances and see that maybe this isn’t the time to have a dog, however, you know, there’s always the future. I like the ones who are not perfect.
“Because I’m not perfect myself. I have an affinity for the dogs where there’s something wrong with them or they might be a bit chubby or they’ve got one eye or one leg. I used to watch For the Love of Dogs when Paul O’Grady did it. He was incredible and I absolutely fell in love with all the stories and always wanted to know what was going to happen to the dogs.”
She went on: “I didn’t have a dog growing up because my family was a Caribbean family and they just didn’t want to have a dog around the house, but I always loved dogs and used to go and play with them at my mates’ houses. So, when I got this opportunity, I was so flattered to be asked to follow in Paul’s footsteps and I really wanted to help the charity, get stuck into knowing the dogs and let people know about all the amazing work that goes on at Battersea.”
Elsewhere in tonight’s episode, the TV star will meet “a boisterous terrier cross who is hoping to get a job as a sniffer dog” as well as “Nelly, a nine-year-old spaniel who was brought to Battersea after her owner fell ill and could no longer take care of her”.
Viewers will also see Alison help feed the pets in the dog home – with many happy tails wagging as she gives them some extra affection and attention. Meanwhile, the RadioTimes reports that the work of the Battersea Dogs & Cats home is more important now than ever. They report: “Nobody can replace Paul O’Grady, of course, but we would surely all agree that highlighting the work of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is what’s important: they took in 50 per cent more abandoned puppies last year.”
They add: “It’s a big challenge for cheery Alison Hammond to take on. She starts by feeding three-week-old Oscar… giving ‘huggles’ to elderly spaniel Nelly, who needs an eye operation, and racing around the yard with Bobby, a boisterous spaniel-terrier cross. She may not have quite the same rapport with animals as Paul did, but it’s the dogs that are the stars of this show.”
For the Love of Dogs with Alison Hammond is on Tuesday at 8pm on ITV1, ITVX and STV.
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