James Middleton has opened up about the role his dogs have played ahead of his appearance at Goodwoof this weekend (Image: Getty)Sign up to our free email to get all the latest royal news and picturesMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Sign up to our free email to get all the latest royal news and picturesInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeIn an exclusive first, James Middleton has offered a raw and emotional insight into how he battled the darkest days of his life which left him unable to communicate with his family and how he credits his beloved dogs for saving him. Ahead of his appearance at Goodwoof dog festival in Chichester this weekend (May 20-21) and in honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, James, 36, opened up about the challenges he has faced and how he has used his experiences to provide support for others in his work as an ambassador for the charity Pets As Therapy. While The Princess of Wales’ brother has previously penned a heart-wrenchingly honest piece about his fight with depression – which he referred to as “a cancer of the mind” – he has explained how his pets were the reason he got up in the morning and why they were “fundamental to his recovery and rehabilitation.” Speaking exclusively to OK! James explained the crucial role his dogs have played in supporting him over the years.
James pictured at the Goodwoof dog show last year
(Image: Goodwood/Chris Ison)
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James said: “How I see them is that they were what anyone suffering from mental health needs. I think first and foremost professional help and to speak to people is the first port of call but the roles that my dogs played was fundamental in my recovery and my rehabilitation. “My dog Ella [who passed away earlier this year] was my reason to get up in the morning, my reason to get dressed and go outside and go for a walk – even if it was pouring with rain. You go outside for 10 or 15 minutes, get that fresh air and you suddenly forget for 15 minutes what was traumatising you. That respite from the thing that was banging away in my mind and causing me to not function properly was unintentionally helped by Ella and the rest of my dogs.
James with his beloved pet dogs
(Image: James Middleton/Instagram)
“Actually I do think it was intentional. I think Ella knew that I wasn’t functioning to my full capacity and she was trying to give little encouraging signs to get me to look after myself because I had a responsibility to look after her, along with it, too, and so I think they played such an important role to the point that I do think they’ve saved my life. “It’s still challenging to talk about it but they gave me the confidence to be able to talk about it. And this was where my pivot in life was because I recognised how much my dogs have given me, and I’m just trying to give them an ounce back. Unfortunately they are with us for such a short amount of time so I think it’s only an ounce that we can give back of how much they’ve actually given us.”
James with some of his puppies
(Image: James Middleton/Instagram)
James has previously opened up about the moment he knew he needed help with his mental health in his own words. He wrote in the Daily Mail: “After enduring a progressive deterioration in my mental health over 12 months, I packed my dogs into my car and, telling no one where I was going, drove to a wild part of the Lake District I’ve loved since I was a child. “There I swam in an icy Coniston Water, took solitary walks on snow-capped mountains and stayed alone in a remote cottage for a few days, eating from packets and trying to still the tumult in my mind. “In the days before, I’d finally confronted the fact that I couldn’t cope any longer, that I wasn’t all right; that I desperately needed help. And this recognition led to a sort of calm: I knew if I accepted help there would be hope. It was a tiny spark of light in the darkness.”
James pictured with the Duke of Richmond at Goodwoof last year
(Image: Goodwood/Chris Ison)
Our conversation with James comes ahead of his appearance at Goodwoof, an annual dog event set up by The Duke of Richmond at Goodwood House in Chichester which celebrates all things canine. “I’m particularly excited this year because the charity is Pets As Therapy, who I’m very, very fond of as I’m an ambassador for the charity,” James tells us. “I think many dog owners recognise how much our dogs give to us and what’s amazing about this charity is that what is even more rewarding is visiting somebody with your dog who’s been assessed and has gone through that. “Seeing other people get benefits from your own dog is the next level up of amazement in terms of how incredible your dog can be because they give love to you and they’ve got enough spare to still give it to others.”
James at Goodwoof last year with The Duke of Richmond
(Image: Goodwood/Chris Ison)
As for the event itself, James explains what he is looking forward to the most and how it celebrates the very best of what dogs can achieve. “I’m very much looking forward to Goodwoof. The best part for me will be the amazing sheep dog trials. “I was always blown away by their demonstrations because it’s a real celebration of dogs and the different abilities that they have and how they work. Humans work as a team and what you can achieve with humans and dogs together is incredible. “You can see a sheep dog rounding up sheep from a quarter of a mile away just on a whistle in the morning and then in the evening they can be in a patient’s lap in the hospital, giving that much-needed love and support. So that’s what I’m particularly looking forward to this weekend is celebrating the amount that dogs can do.” Tickets for Goodwoof (Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 May) are still available at Goodwood.com or by calling the Ticket Office on +44 (0)1243 755055. Customers will also be able to purchase tickets for Goodwoof on the day. READ MORE: Holiday like a King with a break at one of the Royal Family’s favourite retreats Princess Charlotte praised for being ‘poised’ following King’s Coronation Kate Middleton’s subtle tribute to late Queen during surprise Eurovision performance Inside Kate and William’s £635m Kensington Palace apartment including family portraits and modern touches Charles ‘still open’ to Harry and Meghan reconciliation, insists King’s pal Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnJames MiddletonKate MiddletonRoyal FamilyDogsHealthWilliam
