“Oh, dogs are just awesome!” Sonya Kraus (49) enthuses on the sidelines of Dyson Pet Day on Wednesday in Düsseldorf. The presenter has been a dog mom with heart and soul since early childhood. “A life without a dog is a dog’s life!” the moderator clarifies. “Dogs read us so easily and know exactly when we need help,” emphasizes the 49-year-old in an interview. Kraus made her cancer diagnosis public earlier this year. Her family and friends, along with her dog Funny, helped her through this difficult time.

Sonya Kraus: A life without a dog is a dog’s life! I got my first dog when I was six years old after my brother died. I’m quite sure that my four-legged friend treated me better than a two-legged professional could ever have done. That’s why I’m particularly happy to be part of the Dyson Pet Day.

Kraus: Absolutely! My boys grew up with my two huge black street dogs – one a Great Dane Cane Corso mix from Ibiza and the other a Doberman Elephant mix from Corfu. This has made them fearless Tarzans, from which no animal is safe. Of course, the two are convinced vegetarians.

Kraus: Since Funny guarded a finca with four other large dogs in southern Spain, she was unfortunately not socialized. Unfortunately, going for a walk is only relaxed to a certain extent and brings with it a lot of responsibility. Grandma does the feeding and visits to the vet and the kids play and cuddle. I entrust Funny to my domestic help, but no one else. She’s also the one who’s particularly looking forward to Dyson’s new pet brush attachment, which is specifically designed for removing hair – alongside Funny, of course (laughs).

Kraus: Funny ain’t funny! She is a nasty guard dog, with a strong territorial demeanor. We could leave everything unlocked in downtown Frankfurt in the summer, no clever burglar would get in our place. At the same time she is the favorite cuddle aunt of her “pack” and sleeps – snoring loudly – in the boys’ bed. Funny is the best sleep aid and comforter ever.

Kraus: Very, she can also be a nurse! Dogs read us so easily and know exactly when we need assistance. Funny was glued to me like all-purpose glue. This non-verbal support is priceless. Oh, dogs are just awesome!

Kraus: My children’s fear of losing me. Unfortunately, you can’t talk them into something nice anymore. Google provides answers to everything in drastic pictures…

Kraus: Bomb! Seriously, somehow my confidence in my mental strength has grown. At the same time, I am completely free of fears about my future. Somehow I came to terms with many aspects of my situation quite calmly. I’ve never felt really sick. Even during the chemo, it was clear to me that these are just the side effects of prophylaxis, so I was able to embrace these ailments as well.

Kraus: Oh, how she deals with it, every woman, prominent or not, should decide for herself. I’m lucky to have six women in my life who all went through the same thing, so I’ve always done my preventative care no matter how tight the time was. That’s why my “Karl ass” was discovered so early. I wanted to pass on this happiness. Early breast cancer is a very different disease than advanced breast cancer. In addition, openness is always absolutely liberating for me!

Kraus: Very, because the “Wheel of Fortune” is simply a cult and Thomas Hermanns and I are a committed, tried and tested team.

Kraus: We will be broadcasting the “Wheel of Fortune” in prime time, i.e. at 8:15 p.m., in a longer version than before. And there won’t be the classic distribution of roles, but Thomas Hermanns and I will share the work on the wall and on the bike with equal rights. And everything else remains a big surprise.

Krause: Oh! I miss “Ruck Zuck”, “Die Montagsmaler” and “Dings vom Dach”. All three, please!