Presenter Laura Wontorra (34, “Top Dog Germany – The best dog in Germany”) and her husband, soccer professional Simon Zoller (31), got the dog Milo together from the Romanian animal welfare. Since the separation last year, the native of Bremen has been “quasi a single dog mom”, as she calls it. So what to do when she has to work? She can’t take her beloved four-legged friend with her to the football stadium, but she can on the set of the cooking show “Grill den Henssler” (VOX, from April 23), for example. In an interview with spot on news, she explains how pleasant it is on site for everyone involved. Laura Wontorra also raves about the “Pets at Work” initiative, which Wontorra supports as an ambassador and which is committed to making companies more dog-friendly and promoting everyday office life with dogs.

Laura Wontorra: Exactly, Milo comes from Romania and was found there with five other puppies. Unfortunately a very sad story. Of these five puppies, only two survived. Among them was Milo, who came to Germany after the rescue. When he came to Simon and me he was about three or four months old. In the meantime I’ve practically become a single dog mom, but Milo made it very easy for me with his affable manner. He’s really thankful for everything. I also attribute this to his origins.

Wontorra: No, not at all, he’s actually always been affable. He’s naturally a bit more fearful than other dogs that haven’t had a negative experience. And he doesn’t think driving a car is that great either. There are also dogs that lie in the car for six hours and are relaxed. When we are outside Milo sometimes barks at other dogs out of fear. But he’s not like that with people. He loves people.

Wontorra: He hears quite well. But sometimes I have the feeling that I have to be careful not to spoil him too much. For example, we just recorded the new season of “Grill den Henssler”. We shot ten shows and he was on the set every day and of course he was the superstar – everybody’s darling. There’s cooked food for him, everyone has a crush on Milo, and he gets pets a thousand times a day. That’s when I noticed that after three days he couldn’t hear so well because he was so spoiled there. That’s why it was really good for us to be at home for a few days.

Wontorra: Yes, we went to dog school. In addition, he has a “dog substitute mom” when I can’t. She is also a sitter at a dog daycare and his trainer. Of course he learns a lot. If you live under one roof with eight other dogs, there are of course different rules than if he is at home with me as an “only child”.

Wontorra: You really have to think about that very carefully before deciding on a pet. I’m lucky that I’m very flexible in my job and can take a lot with me. This also works very well. He just can’t come to the football stadium. Then he likes to go to his dog daycare. In my job it really helps me that Milo is extremely open to people. This allows me to really live “Pets at Work”. Because especially when you are alone, without a partner, it can be a real challenge to reconcile job and dog.

Wontorra: He’s really a feel-good manager for any team. When we record a TV show or when I’m there as a guest somewhere. When I come with the dog, everyone can pet him first and then start the day much more relaxed. That’s why I think it’s so great that Purina is using the “Pets at Work” initiative to make companies more dog-friendly and to promote everyday office life with dogs. It has been proven that this has many positive effects and I have had consistently positive experiences so far.

Wontorra: There was once a colleague in the “Grill den Henssler” team who had a dog hair allergy. There was a certain inhibition threshold at the beginning and it is also important to be considerate. In the meantime we have found a great solution: indoors she keeps a little distance, but today she even goes for a walk with Milo because she loves him so much.

Wontorra: The dog is really good for me. Like everyone, I’m sometimes lazy when it comes to sports. Sometimes I have better and sometimes worse weeks, especially in winter. Sometimes you eat a piece of pizza more than usual or go to the gym less. Especially then, Milo is really good for me, because I have to go out with him – whatever the weather and whether I feel like it or not. Milo is like a rocket, I have to really work him out for at least an hour a day. Even if I sometimes have strenuous and long shooting days of up to twelve hours, I take the time to go out into the fresh air with Milo. It also helps me a lot mentally. Honestly, I wouldn’t do that without a dog.

Wontorra: In order to keep my body fit and to get my work done with travelling, I do fitness. Otherwise, I really enjoy playing golf. Of course, it’s also great to take Milo with us. When I started 15 years ago it was unthinkable to take a dog with me, but now the rules on golf courses have become much more relaxed. Of course you have to keep the dog on a leash so that it doesn’t run after the balls, but you can take dogs with you. Therefore, in my opinion, golf is a great dog sport.

Wontorra: Yes, Milo is a real cuddly bear. When I got him, my mother said he was an absolute hunting dog, which she was partly right about. He’s a little hunter. But he really likes to cuddle. Anyone who gets to know him will notice that immediately.

Wontorra: In the beginning he wasn’t allowed to go to bed. So that he doesn’t jump on the sofa, I slept in his living room for the first two weeks. But I have to admit, now we both lie in bed together every night and cuddle.