BBC's Clare Balding says ‘I can't be the guilty one' after making sacrifice with wife Alice
Clare Balding said 'I can't be the guilty one' as she opened up about a heartbreaking decision with her wife Alice Arnold. The Wimbledon presenter met Alice back in 1999 when they both worked on the BBC.
The pair formalised their relationship with a civil partnership in 2006, before marrying in a private ceremony a decade later. In 2020 the loved-up couple faced heartbreak when their beloved Tibetan terrier Archie died.
Clare says not having a dog around the house has been 'killing' her. Although when attending the Good Woof festival last year, Clare acknowledged it wasn't the right time to welcome a new four-legged friend into their house.
That is because the couple were embarking on a major project in a bid to move home. Clare was also facing a summer away from home presenting the Olympic Games in Paris.
The 54-year-old said: 'Here's the thing about responsible dog ownership, I'm going to be away all this summer doing the Olympics and Paralympics, this is not the time to bring a dog into my life, our life.
'We're doing a big housebuilding project so that we can move somewhere where we have a bit more space, we're not close to a road, we can have doors open all the time, so as and when we get a dog again, having had Archie for 15-and-a-half-years, so when we do it again we can do it right. And it's killing me not to have a dog right now, but I know it's the right thing to wait.'
Clare however admitted some of the pooches at the Good Woof festival had caught her eye. She said: 'I have seen a lot of dogs today though that I would quite happily scoop up and take away while the owners are not watching, which as the presenter of a programme called Lost Dog, Found Dog, I don't think I should do. I can't be the one guilty of the crime.'
During a segment on her show, Lost Dog, Found Dog, Clare spoke to a pet bereavement specialist who offered guidance on when to adopt a new dog after a loss. The specialist explained that owners will often know when it's the right time.
They said: 'It's different for everyone, but the most important thing is, it's what's best for the animal you do get.'
(Image: BBC)
Clare stressed that people should consider the 'uniqueness' of each dog when considering welcoming another pooch into your property. She recommends avoiding the same breed or a dog with a similar name.
She explained: 'And what we often hear is that people try and replace [the dog] with the same breed, the same name, please don't because every dog is unique and has its own character."
Previously, when appearing on Good Morning Britain , Clare revealed she and Alice were edging closer to becoming dog owners once more. She however stressed they were taking their time with the decision.
Clare will be leading the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon day 13 from 4pm today (July 12). This afternoon will see the ladies' singles finals.
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