Nigel (dog)

Nigel (born 2008) is a male Golden Retriever dog belonging to Monty Don, a British television gardening presenter. He is known for his appearances on the BBC Two gardening programme, Gardeners' World on which he is seen following the presenter around his garden and catching and dropping his tennis ball. Apart from his television appearances, Nigel has his own Twitter account.^[1]

Injury in 2012

Nigel is popular with viewers who were concerned when he disappeared from the programme in September 2012. The reason was that he had injured himself after twisting sideways when jumping to catch his tennis ball which exploded an intervertebral disc in his spine. He was treated with steroids by a local veterinary surgeon and was then taken to Noel Fitzpatrick, a vet specialising in extreme cases who treated him with hydrotherapy, drugs and physiotherapy. He recovered and resumed his television appearances.^[2]

Don's views on human relationships and nature

Don said that he chose his dog Nigel because the domestic dog signifies the good and bad in human relationships with nature, humans can prioritise fluffy animals over others.^[3]In September 2016 an autobiographical book entitled Nigel: my family and other dogs was published that tells the story of Nigel and the other dogs in Monty's life, including the female Golden Retriever Nellie who also now appears with him on Gardeners World.^[4]

References