Jana Ina Zarrella
She reveals her greatest Christmas wish
Jana Ina Zarrella is looking forward to Christmas.
© Fressnapf
“All I want right now is to have my mom with us again here in Germany,” reveals Jana Ina Zarrella in an interview.
Christmas wishes come true: presenter Jana Ina Zarrella (44) is finally hoping to see her mother, who lives in Brazil, again. “Due to the pandemic, I haven’t seen her for almost two years,” she explains on the sidelines of the Fressnapf campaign “Animal shelter wishes come true”. From November 15 to December 24, customers can take an animal wish list from the Christmas tree and fill it in at participating markets. The presenter has been passionately committed to animal welfare for years. Together with her husband Giovanni Zarrella (43), she accepted the mixed breed dog Cici from the animal welfare department about a year and a half ago.
Why is the subject of animal welfare so important to you?
Jana Ina Zarrella: Animals have always been important to me. I learned this love for our four-legged friends from my grandmother – she and my two aunts were dog trainers and enthusiastic dog lovers. Giovanni and I have always been committed to animal welfare, but since we got Cici, this issue has become even more important to us. Animal welfare lives on donations. Many of those who work for it are volunteers. And ultimately, the animals that end up on the street or are released cannot help their fate. We are the ones who can and must help them.
You are currently supporting the “Animal shelter wishes come true” campaign; what exactly is behind it?
Zarrella: Together with Fressnapf and their “Animal Committed” initiative, the wishes of animal shelters across Europe will be fulfilled again this year. Wish trees will be set up in all participating markets. Animal rights activists have written wishes for their animals on the cards. Regardless of whether it’s a new leash or a basket – the main thing is that the animals have it nice and cozy at Christmas and, as long as they are in the shelter, the best possible time. The greatest thing, of course, is that the animals find a new home.
What Christmas wishes do you have yourself?
Zarrella: All I want right now is to have my mom with us again here in Germany. Because of the pandemic, I haven’t seen her for almost two years. For me, that would be the best Christmas present ever.
Have you already got the presents for your loved ones?
Zarrella: Of course … not. (laughs) But I plan to do it soon.
Do you and Giovanni give each other presents for Christmas?
Zarrella: We haven’t really given each other for Christmas for a long time. The best thing we can give each other is the time we spend together. Or the trips we make with the family. Christmas is a family celebration and that’s why we prefer to spend time with our loved ones.
How are you going to spend Christmas this year?
Zarrella: This year we actually plan to go on a great trip with our children on a ship and spend intense time together with four people. I hope it will work.
Which traditions are particularly close to your heart at Christmas?
Zarrella: I have so many wonderful memories of Christmas. Even as children we always sang at Christmas, prayed together and ate a lot. The gifts were distributed and we were allowed to stay up late. And that’s exactly how we celebrate at home these days. Our families come together and at the end there is a raffle. It’s a wonderful time.
The final spurt for 2021 begins with the Christmas season: What is your personal balance sheet in 2021?
Zarrella: At the end of 2020 I was happy that the year was over. It was such a tough year with a lot of pain, loss and sad moments. 2021 was definitely better, but unfortunately not yet the dream year that many have wished for. But we are healthy, are allowed to work normally and the children are allowed to go back to their everyday school life – that is the most important thing.
What do you wish for in 2022?
Zarrella: Health – more than ever we know that this is the most important thing. I wish our children normalcy – they deserve it. And I hope that more and more people will understand that our four-legged friends are for life and not just for the moment.