Gemma Atkinson has shared a defiant response after one of her videos was used as a 'bad example' of parenting with dogs in the home. The Hits Radio host took to Instagram a throwback video of her daughter, Mia, as a baby alongside pet dogs - Ollie and Norman.
It showed Mia, who is now three, crying and upset while sitting on the sofa of the family's Greater Manchester home. With dad Gorka Marquez's supervision, she started to play with the collar of one of the adorable pet dogs and suddenly began to smile.
"This just came up as a memory. The calming effect of dogs," Gemma wrote alongside the sweet video to her 1.8m followers. Gemma went on to say: "I've lost count of the amount of times Norman or Ollie have without even knowing comforted Mia or instantly changed her mood (as they do with me daily) The amount of patience and love they have for her is so heartwarming."
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The video was quickly flooded with comments from Gemma's celeb pals and her followers as it pulled at their heartstrings. Former Big Brother winner Kate Lawler replied: "He’s just the best boy, the way he glances at you while Mia pulls his tag."
Former Bake Off winner and Strictly star John Whaite replied: "Omg," alongside a string of love heart eye emojis. Former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley posted: "I can’t," with a flurry of crying emojis and love heart eye emojis.
@laura_dav_84_ said: "Aww dogs have very special ways of comforting us, without them even knowing my life wouldn’t be the same without my dogs, they are so precious to us." @danielscottpomerance wrote: "The absolute patience of your dog is incredible." @sarahlh0603 commented: "Dogs really are the best! If only humans had the nature of doggies." @judemurray13 added: "Love this - dogs are the best."
But it appears some didn't take as kindly to the video and taking to her Instagram Story on Thursday, Gemma shared how she was alerted to the fact that one dog trainer chose to re-share the video as an example of "irresponsible" dog ownership and parenting on her own Instagram feed.
Gemma said some of her followers had flagged the re-share, and she addressed the claims directly as well as contacting the trainer in private. "Thanks for the msgs re the dog trainer using my video in a negative way," Gemma said to her fans.
"I've reached out to her privately and it's been removed. I have the upmost respect for anyone who works with animals, but it was really disheartening to see my video was used as a 'bad example' and the comments 'so irresponsible'.
"I know my dogs, I know my child, and I know I'm a responsible owner and anyone who owns a pet should be. Thanks to those who let me know about the video share." In response to the criticism, Gemma also showed more pictures of Mia as a baby with her dogs around.
One showed Norman sitting on the sofa as she was feeding baby Mia saying he has "always sat close or practically on Mia" before sharing a second image of Ollie resting his head on her shoulder as she nursed her then-baby girl.
The former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star then said she refuses to "stay quiet" when strangers judge her parenting abilities and also made it clear that Norman has never been left alone with her daughter.
Posting a video of the dogs fussing over Mia as she was held by her mum a number of years ago, Gemma penned: "I've never made them feel pushed out and even though I trust them both wholeheartedly, they still to this day have never been alone with Mia. FOr her sake and theirs.
"Judge me on my appearance, my clothes, stories in the press, my relationships etc... I don't car. But judging me on my parenting of both my child or my dogs (as they're my babies too!) is something I won't stay quiet about."
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