Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Having Maggie around and always ready for a walk keeps me going..
EXCLUSIVE EAMONN Holmes is fighting hard to stay on his feet and off the surgeon’s table with one thought in mind – getting back to walking his little dog.
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The GB news presenter revealed he is battling every day to cope with chronic back and leg pain.
He has employed alternative and natural therapists, physios and the best medical care he can, all just to get comfortable and more mobile.
When the effort to get out of his armchair seems overwhelming, one thought brings him back to fighting mode – Maggie, his rescue dog.
Eamonn, 62, said: “She’s sitting here beside me as my goal. She’s just the best girl and she deserves to be out walking with me every day and I miss walking with her. But at the moment I just can’t manage it.
“She’s 12 and has slowed down a little but she’s still fit and active. But I’ve been finding it hard recently to keep on top of back pain and I’m trying everything that might help. There are days I’m just not able to move about too much and it’s awful.”
Eamonn was speaking after he travelled to London to co-host an event dedicated to rescue dogs.
K-9 Angels founded by his friends Victoria Featherstone Pearce, Pola Pospieszalska and Anneka Svenska, has rehomed more than 1,200 dogs in the last 10 years. They have also sent medical aid and food to animals in need, financed shelter and neuter
campaigns. The veteran newsman revealed he was tired out after the event but it was worth it and added “anything for the dogs”.
He also explained the extent of his health problems.
Eamonn added: “The problem I have is that the sciatic nerve in one of my legs is just gone and I’ve been working to try to get that sorted.
“But I just need to keep going, and having Maggie around and always ready for a walk means I know I’ll get there.
“My goal is to clip her lead to her collar and take her for a walk, painfree, to enjoy it, to not worry about my mobility and to feel free of all of this.”
Eamonn was told at the age of 27 that he should have both hips replaced due to severe deterioration.
He said he waited until he was 59 and three years on, he is wondering if he might have left it too late.
He added: “The idea of going into theatre and under the surgeon’s knife is not filling me with joy. They’re talking about back surgery now and we are exploring all the options.
“The thought of doing something normal like getting up from the table after dinner and taking Maggie for a walk, helps me push on.
“I can’t deny her that. It’s such a simple pleasure for her and for me – we just have to get there one step at a time.”
Rescue pup helps motivate Eamonn as he battles pain