Amanda Holden welcomes new addition to the family after 18-year-old daughter leaves home
Amanda Holden has welcomed a new member to the family, just days after her 18-year-old daughter Lexi flew the nest to head to university. The 53-year-old presenter has revealed that she has adopted an adorable puppy from Battersea Cats and Dogs Home and introduced the little pup to the world in a heartwarming post uploaded on Wednesday, 18 September.
Having previously hinted at her plans to expand her family earlier in the week after bidding an emotional farewell to Lexi, Amanda finally gave her followers the big reveal. Heart FM's official Instagram page gave fans a glimpse of Amanda's latest bundle of joy and in a touching video Amanda could be seen rescuing the abandoned pup whose name is yet to be revealed.
The clip captured the moment Amanda first met the little dog, with the star heard narrating the encounter. The footage showed the pup showering Amanda with affectionate licks. The star shared with her radio show listeners that her new pet was right by her feet during the broadcast, reports the Mirror.
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"I went to Battersea, got out the car. Walked into the building and she came out of her little holdall and she licked all my foundation off," she said with delight. "You know, I wouldn't take it from anyone else," she joked, adding: "But this little scrap is just so gorgeous."
Amanda praised the pup for being "so well behaved," as the video continued to document their sweet first meeting. She also took the opportunity to encourage her listeners to consider adoption or fostering when thinking about getting a pet, reminding them that "If you're thinking of getting a pet, obviously think carefully, but think about rescuing or fostering. There are so many that need a home."
Amanda's heartfelt appeal certainly struck a chord with her followers. "Having a celebrity promote rescue is so fantastic for rescue centres all around the country, local rescues don't have much support, please adopt, donate and volunteer," wrote one. Another suggested she could step into the late Paul O'Grady's shoes on For The Love Of Dogs.
The touching adoption story comes in the wake of Amanda's dramatic reaction to leaving Lexi at university. "We took Lexi to university in a van with... you know those massive Ikea bags? We had about 11 of them and two full suitcases, and you go into the accommodation and it is like a luxury prison cell, isn't it?," she recalled.
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