Paws for thought with... Camilla Sacre Dallerup
[Photo credit: sacreimages]
Life coach and former Strictly Come Dancing champion Camilla Sacre Dallerup takes time out from writing the follow up to her first book Strictly Inspirational to tell us about her two beloved dogs, Charlie and Sven, who keep her calm and grounded…
Q: Who shares your sofa?
Camilla: My husband and our two dogs Charlie and Sven.
Q: Describe each of your pets in three words
Camilla: Charile is a cheeky, loving princess. Sven is one in a million (oops that’s four!).
Q: How did Charlie and Sven come to join your family?
Camilla: My husband decided to adopt Sven at the same time as we fell in love, doing the Underdog show for Living TV. In my opinion one of the best decisions he has made; well, that and asking me to marry him. Charlie we recently rescued in Los Angeles as we thought Sven might want a friend around the house. Watching them get on, totally melts my heart - it’s the best!
Q: Why do you love your dogs?
Camilla: Omg where to start, what’s not to love? It’s like Christmas every day, walking through the door you immediately forget anything on your mind when you see their happy faces and wagging tales. They remind me daily to be present, live in the now and to love unconditionally.
Q: What’s the most extravagant thing you’ve bought for them?
Camilla: Their dog collars and lead from Holly and Lil. They look so stylish, handmade in leather with the British flag, and the quality is superb.
Q: What’s the best thing about having pets?
Camilla: They bring love, joy and life around the house. I spend a lot of time working from home so having them next to me is just awesome; when I meditate they always come sit really close to me as if they know we are meditating. I also like the fact that they make me go out and walk even on days where I’m busy. They ground me.
Q: What are Charlie and Sven’s worst habits?
Camilla: Well Charlie is a puppy still so she likes to chew things, and of course she has good taste so she goes for your favourite socks and shoes first. We are trying to change this habit of hers. Sven, at times, likes to mount other dogs.
Q: Where’s your favourite place to go with your dogs?
Camilla: The beach. I love watching Sven swim. Charlie hasn’t been in the water yet so that will be fun.
Q: What’s the best pet advice you’ve been given, and by whom?
Camilla: Our dog trainer Julie Hindle taught us that it’s not mean using a crate, which has helped us so much with Charlie. Using a crate can be really helpful because the dog likes to have a place which is theirs. Charlie has been so much calmer since she started sleeping in her crate. Reading Julie’s book on puppy training is brilliant.
Q: Why did you choose a rescue pet?
Camilla: Because there are so many gorgeous and loving dogs in rescue homes which need our help, I would rescue more if I had the space and time they need. I can’t even start to imagine what would have happened to our Sven if the rescue home hadn’t taken him in. The happiness he has brought to our lives I can’t even put into words but it warms my heart just thinking about it.
Over to Sven and Charlie…
Q: What’s the best thing about being Camilla’s pet?
Sven: She walks me a lot, gives me treats whenever I ask and loves me!
Q: Go on, let us into a secret about Camilla!
Charlie: She doesn’t make any sense before her first coffee and her hair looks a mess on the morning walk.