Antonia and Flapjack - London

• Antonia (Toni) - Couture Womenswear Designer
• Flapjack - Labrador

How did you choose Flapjack?
I got Flapjack when he was a puppy from a breeder in Yorkshire. I had never planned to get a Lab as I had always preferred Terriers. At first my husband abruptly said no, but I chose to ignore him and got on a train a week later, returning with two puppies much to my husband’s surprise.

What makes your bond so special?
Flapjack is a source of emotional comfort after a demanding day of dealing with difficult customers. He isn’t the sparkiest of dogs, but his commitment to me and his attempts to please me are hopefully what motivated him during the challenges.

Why did you both want to enter?
I love to do different activities with my animals and thought Flapjack could learn a lot and thrive in the competition. I love exercising and being in the great outdoors, so we both enjoyed being challenged in the Lake District. Although Flapjack is a wonderful friend there’s not a lot going on between his ears! I think because of the lack of training, and his lack of perceived intelligence, meant there was a lot of room for Flapjack to learn. I love dogs, maybe more than children, and knew Flapjack would love having my undivided attention!

What was your favourite exercise/challenge?
My favourite exercise was anything water-based with Jack, so swimming in Lake Coniston and paddle boarding with him on Lake Windermere until he tried to drown me whilst swimming, by putting both his front paws on my head and pushing me under. He clearly thought I was cramping his style and being slow, so he decided to remove me from the equation and jumped off the front of the paddleboard so that I flipped off the back.

What did you get out of the programme?
The thing I most enjoyed generally was hanging out with all the other contenders and their dogs. There is never a moment that can't be improved by stroking a dog. We all got on really well and have all kept in touch since.

Do you have any funny stories from filming?
I think hearing Andrew scrambling through the assault course shouting “Betttttttttyyyyyyyy" in a high pitched squeal is one of the more memorable moments.

Biography

Naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham has had a long and successful career on TV, beginning with The Really Wild Show in 1986 and more recently Springwatch, Autumnwatch, and Winterwatch, Nature’s Weirdest Events, World’s Weirdest Events, Inside the Animal Mind, Operation Iceberg and Secrets Of Our Living Planet.

In 2010 Chris was awarded the Dilys Breese BTO Medal for his outstanding work in promoting science to new audiences. He was voted Conservation Hero Of The Year (2014) in the Birders’ Choice Awards (Birdwatch magazine). In 2015 he reached second place in The Wildlife Power List featured in the BBC Wildlife Magazine. In October 2016 Chris earned the top honour at the Wildscreen Panda Awards - The Christopher Parsons Award for Outstanding Achievement - in recognition of his significant contribution to wildlife filmmaking, conservation and the public’s understanding of the environment.

Earlier in 2016 he was made honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Southampton, where he had graduated 30 years before.

Programme Information

• Episode one
• Episode two