Dominic Chinea, the beloved craftsman from BBC’s The Repair Shop, has opened up about a difficult topic—his cherished Spanish waterdog, Wendy, who has been unwell recently.
In a candid YouTube video, Dominic responded to a fan’s question about Wendy, clarifying her breed as a Spanish waterdog, emphasizing she is not a labradoodle or cockapoo. He revealed that Wendy, now nearly six and a half years old, has been facing some health issues. “She’s getting on now,” Dominic said, “and it’s a tough subject at the moment because she’s not been well.”
He described how Wendy has appeared “a bit sad” and not quite herself, prompting a series of vet visits and blood tests. Fortunately, the tests came back clear, although there were concerns about an underlying infection. Despite the scare, Dominic expressed some relief and optimism. “She’s eating, drinking, gaining energy again, and she’s OK,” he shared. “We’re all good, and she’s loving Cornwall.”
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Since relocating to Cornwall, Wendy seems to have embraced a more carefree lifestyle, amusingly negating past training efforts with her newfound wild spirit.
Dominic also touched upon his transition from Kent to Cornwall, describing it as a challenging but rewarding change. He now owns a large barn which he has transformed into his own workshop—a significant upgrade from his previous rented space. “Now, it’s my space,” Dominic explained. “Whatever I do to it, it’s mine. That alone makes it worthwhile.”
Though the barn requires some work, Dominic remains optimistic about turning it into a fully functional workshop. For now, he’s adapting and steadily making progress.
Fans of The Repair Shop can continue to enjoy Dominic’s craftsmanship on BBC iPlayer.