Paul O’grady: For the Love of Dogs – What Happened Next
As Paul O’grady catches up with Battersea success stories, Paula Oliver tells TV Times why she’s so proud of her Staffie…
I remember Sparkle from the first episode of this show eight years ago. She was brought in to Battersea after being found abandoned and emaciated in a London park. So I’m looking forward to seeing how she’s fared as Paul O’grady catches up with the Staffie (inset) now called Amy, in this special spin-off series…
Paul O’grady falls in love with every animal he meets at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. But Staffordshire bull terrier Amy holds a special place in his heart, as she appeared in the first episode of ITV’S Paul O’grady: For the Love of Dogs back in 2012.
Animal lover Paul was horrified when Amy, originally named Sparkle, was brought in to Battersea after being found abandoned and emaciated.
Thankfully, after being nursed back to health, she found a loving family in Paula and Mark Oliver from Clacton-on-sea, Essex.
This week, cameras catch up with them in spin-off series
Paul O’grady: For the Love of
Dogs – What Happened Next, an uplifting three-parter that reveals how some of the show’s most memorable canines have fared since getting their muchdeserved forever homes.
‘It’s brilliant to see Amy so happy and well-cared for,’ host Paul, 65, tells us. ‘It broke my heart when I first met her – there was barely anything left of her and she’d been so badly treated. I’m absolutely thrilled to see what a lovely life she has had!’
Here, full-time carer Paula, 52, tells TV Times why giving Amy a new home was a great decision…
Was it love at first sight with Amy? Definitely! We went to Battersea looking for a small dog and Amy was probably the last one we saw. Her eyes drew me. She still knows exactly how to get you – you see so much love there. She kept running and getting her tennis balls and we played for hours – even now her party trick is to get two tennis balls in her mouth at the same time! My husband just looked at her and said, ‘Do you want to come to the seaside?’
Paul O’grady really took a shine to her as well, didn’t he?
Yes, he saw her when she was at her worst, which upset him. If we hadn’t had her, he might have ended up with her because he fell in love with her, too. Paul’s asked a few times how she was getting on and he’s over the moon that she’s on the new show.
Were you pleased to take part in this catch-up programme?
Yes, because it’s nice for people to see Amy again and all the other special dogs. Amy loves attention and she deserves it. You’ll see her enjoying herself in the garden and galloping through the waves on the beach! We celebrate her 10th birthday, too. She has a birthday cake, a bandana and a big biscuit!
When you adopted Amy, it must have been hard for you to hear how she’d suffered…
Yes, I have got pictures and I don’t like looking at them, even though I know she’s mine now and safe and well. It breaks my heart thinking, ‘What did you go through?’ I’ve always hoped she doesn’t remember it. Apparently, somebody heard her whimpering and she was found either next to or inside a suitcase in a shocking state. She was skin and bone and she’d had a couple of litters, although she was only young herself. She was rushed to Battersea as an emergency and
BATTERSEA SAID AMY WAS PROBABLY THE WORST CASE THEY’D SEEN
the staff said the wanton neglect was terrible and that she was probably the worst case they had ever seen.
Did she settle in quickly with you? Oh, yes, as if we’d always had her. The first thing we did was to visit the beach and, for a dog who’d presumably never seen the sea, she loved it and even went for a swim. Back at the house, she’d curl up on the sofa as if to say, ‘I’m home.’
Do you think Amy has been traumatised by her experiences? No, she’s never shown any fear or aggression – she’s good as gold. She gives so much love and affection and adores my grandchildren. Staffies have a terrible reputation, but it’s about the owner, not the dog – they’re the most loving breed. Amy loves a cuddle. She’s not a good guard dog – she’d lick you to death! I think it’s because she’s a rescue dog – it’s like they know and want to give you something back.
After seeing Amy on the show eight years ago, do people still ask you how she’s getting on? Yes, her episode shocked the nation. I was inundated with people online who were upset and asking about her, so I posted messages to let them know that she was happy and put pictures up. We also took her back to Battersea for a reunion and people were queuing up to have their dogs photographed with her. It was crazy but lovely. She’s a superstar!
You must be so proud of her!
We love her dearly. She has the same mentality and heart and still thinks she’s a puppy – long may that continue. I’m just so glad we were there that day at Battersea. I couldn’t think of life without Amy.
NEW
Whenever we see the gorgeous residents of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home trot off to their new homes, we always wonder how they’ll get on, so it’s great to have a catch-up. Staffie Amy (previously called Sparkle) was in the first ever episode in 2012 after being abandoned in a terrible condition, but proud owner Paula reveals how she’s come on in leaps and bounds. Meanwhile, Tulip, who captured Paul’s heart in 2014, also appears, along with Potato (formerly known as Bruce), who has become a lifechanging member of his new family. ★★★★★ CC
See feature, page 10