Continuing our ‘Celebrities who love dogs feature’ this week I chatted to Dr Dawn Harper Deeply dedicated to health, Dr Dawn Harper has been a trailblazer in media and medicine for over 20 years. Best known for her role as a presenter on Channel 4’s BAFTA-winning Embarrassing Bodies, a show loved by millions and broadcast in 120 countries, Dawn’s vibrant presence continues to inspire audiences around the globe.
She’s a prolific author, with 12 books to her name, including her proudest work, Live Well to 101.
Beyond her professional life, Dawn is passionate about supporting charities focused on disadvantaged and disabled children. Living in the beautiful Cotswolds with her husband Jack and their four Jack Russell Terriers, Dawn embodies the healthy lifestyle she champions. Whether cycling through the hills or tending to her garden, she’s a living testament to her belief in the power of healthy living.
Do you have a favourite breed of dog or have you had different breeds in your life?
My first dog was a rescue Dalmatian and then I always had Labradors until my last super special Labrador, Otter, passed and I felt I needed a change of canine companion as I was worried I would always compare a Labrador to Otter. I now have 2 Jack Russell Terriers who I adore.
The only thing is, my husband also has 2 JRTs – we are a very noisy house!
Tell us about your dog… What are their names, personalities ages?
Fennel is 8 and her son Mr Mole is 5.
Can you tell us how you met your dog
I bought Grouse (my husband’s first terrier) for Jack and we used to visit her every Sunday until she was old enough to come home. On week 6, the owner of Mum told me the runt of the litter still didn’t have a home. I was adamant that I was still grieving Otter and wasn’t ready for another dog yet and that when I was, I didn’t want 2 puppies from the same litter. Fennel (as she was named a few hours later!) had very different ideas and a little lick on my cheek sealed her deal. She came home with her sister Grouse 2 weeks later!
During lockdown we put Fennel in pup. Otter had had a litter several years previously and it had been a walk in the park. Sadly, Fennel’s experience was very different. The second puppy was born totally flat and I had to resuscitate him. Thankfully we brought him around and when he opened his eyes and started walking, he was like a shadow to me. It was almost as if he knew and after a few weeks I said to my husband that I didn’t think I could let him go. He should probably have talked me out of it but what he said was “that’s fine, but if you are keeping one, I want to keep one too”!
We named the little black boy Mr Mole because he looked like a mole when he was born. His sister is called Tarka.
What is the most surprising thing you have learned from owning a dog?
I have owned dogs most of my life, but I think if I was a new dog owner, the thing that would strike me would be their ability to make your heart smile even on the bad days.
Do you believe dogs sense human emotions have you experienced this ?
They absolutely do. Otter in particular had an amazing way of being even more affectionate than normal when I was having a tough time.
What is your favourite memory with your dog ?
There are so many, I don’t think I can name just one, but we do love cuddling up on the sofa at the end of the day with our “team”.
Do your dogs fit into your lifestyle?
I think our lifestyle fits in with them! My husband works from home so they are rarely alone during the day. We have a 4 hour rule so try never to leave them alone if we are out and we are lucky that we have a lovely neighbour who comes in to let them out uf we are away for longer. Our garden is deliberately terrier proof!
Where did your love of Dogs start, did you grow up with them or was their a particular dog that changed everything for you?
I wanted a dog from being a toddler. In primary school, I plagued my parents on a regular basis. They agreed that is I still wanted a dog when I was 10, and in their opinion old enough to look after it and walk it, they would agree. On my 10th birthday we went to the local RSPCA home and I fell in love with a Dalmatian. The home thought she was about 2 years old and had had 6 homes in her short life. She was a very skilled escapologist. I used to go horse riding all the time and she came out trotting beside me for miles. We were inseparable. I only discovered later that Dalmatians were bred to trot alongside carriages, so it turned out that she had found her perfect forever home.
Have you ever felt like your dogs have helped you through tough times?
I am very lucky that I have a naturally sunny disposition, but I know that if ever I felt really down, owning a dog would be a life saver. I hear from patients all the time, that having to get out of bed and walk a dog regardless of how you feel has seen them through some really tough times.
Are you involved or support any animal charities?
Yes. We support the Blue Cross and were privileged to be a part of Pup Aid.
If dogs could talk what do you think they would say to you?
“I love you and it will all be OK”
What’s your dogs idea of the best day ever?
For Mr Mole it would be anything as long as it is with me. He is sitting on my feet as I type this! He often comes to London with me and enjoys just trotting along beside me (I try to walk everywhere in London. I am not a fan of the tube) and is very good at sitting still during meetings. Fennel is not so keen on travelling, but they both LOVE chasing seagulls on the beach.
Is there a particular funny story that involved your dog?
Otter got her name because at 8 weeks she was rolling in long wet grass and I laughed out loud and told her she looked like a baby otter. To be honest, my dogs make me smile every day and probably make me laugh out loud on a weekly basis.
In Live Well to 101, Dr Dawn Harper urges you to start investing in your health now to improve your chances of enjoying your latter years to the full!
Learn more about Dr Dawn’s work on her website.
