Mutt Watch telly!
SHE is back on our screens for Autumnwatch tonight after the coronas restrictions forced her to miss the ng series.
But Michaela Strachan has had plenty to keep busy during lockdown – looking after her four-year-old rescue dog. e wildlife presenter, who lives in South Africa partner Nick and son Oliver, says: “Rio ally needed a lot of our attention during down as she had to have quite a major knee op ay. he may not have been able to charge at me ging her tail for a couple of months, but her tion certainly distracted me from the bigger d problems and was something else to focus Michaela, 54, also had another four- legged d for company during the pandemic – her daughter’s rescue dog Timmy. e says: “Both have been fantastic companions ng the lockdown and are the best stress ers. How can you not smile and feel in a better d every morning when two dogs charge at you enthusiastically wagging their tails, so pleased to ou and full of life?” etting out in the South African wildlife with her has been a lifeline for the TV favourite ughout the pandemic. ichaela says: “My walks with my dogs are my calm space and when I’m with them in the mountains, the stress of 2020 disappears for the hour. “The pandemic and chaos it has caused has gone on far longer than any of us expected, but it will eventually pass. For some people life will never go back to ‘ normal’ but the uncertainty and chaos will surely pass. “For anyone going through problems, always look for positives in your life and having a dog as a companion, surely must be one of them.” Surrey- born Michaela, who has also presented programmes including The Really Wild Show and The Hitman And Her, is also not surprised there has been a surge in demand for dogs during lockdown.
Campaign
She says: “I think people who have considered it before suddenly realised this was a great opportunity to adopt a dog or cat.” The home where she got Rio, TEARS in Cape Town, even put out an appeal for people to foster their animals during five weeks of complete lockdown. They managed to find homes for all their rescues and many were adopted permanently. Despite being a huge advocate for rescuing and rehoming dogs, Michaela is concerned many people don’t truly consider the commitment that comes with owning a pet. She says: “As people go back to full- time work, some may realise that actually, having doesn’t now fit in with their lifestyle. “Getting a dog is a big commitment and life- changing. “These are uncertain and changing times and I would urge anyone who is considering adopting a dog or cat to really think it through. “It may work for you now, but are you absolutely sure it can work for you years down the line?” Michaela is also concerned about those who already have pets no longer being able to afford them. “Many people have lost jobs and income, and I’m sure there will be abandoned animals due to financial stress,” she says. “Yet another very sad reality of the pandemic and our reaction to it.” These are the reasons why she’s backing our campaign to raise much- needed funds for animal charity Blue Cross, via our Star Paws calendar. Michaela adds: “It’s a tough time for most animal charities at the moment. “Many are experiencing a reduction in funding due to the economic situation. “Many charities raise funds by doing events and of course they have all been cancelled. “Any campaign that highlights the support charities like the Blue Cross support.” But the TV presenter acknowledges the pandemic has had some silver linings – including sparking an appreciation for nature in many people. “A lot of people have found a huge amount of comfort in the natural world and their local environments this year,” says Michaela. “When your life becomes more local and less busy, you have time to notice the beauty around you. People were noticing the birds, the birdsong, the flowers, the trees. “People who usually spend hours of their day on tubes, trains, buses and in traffic jams have had time to reconnect with wildlife and that is really exciting.” She hopes this will have a lasting effect, adding: “There are huge mental health benefits in connecting with the natural world. I really hope this lockdown changes the way we value our wildlife long after this crisis is over.” And after not being able to film the spring series, Michaela is thrilled to be a part of the new run. She says: “I am so excited to be here for Autumnwatch as missing Springwatch was hugely frustrating! The team will all be coming live from different parts of the country. “I’ll be at Tentsmuir, just south of Dundee, looking at grey seal pups on the Isle of May, which I’m really excited about.” Autumnwatch starts tonight on BBC Two at 8pm and airs four nights a week for the next fortnight.