Former Apprentice contestant Luisa Zissman has disclosed her intention to fly her six horses back to the United Kingdom, a move that comes shortly after she attempted to arrange a private jet flight to evacuate her pet dog from conflict-ridden Dubai.
From Canine Rescue to Equine Relocation
The 38-year-old television personality, who recently returned to her £8 million Hertfordshire mansion, initially assured her social media followers that Dubai was the "safest country in the world" and that "everything was fine" when hostilities erupted earlier this month. However, she later described herself as being in her "refugee era" and revealed that her toy poodle, Crumble, was stranded in the UAE.
Private Jet Plea for Poodle
In a desperate bid to retrieve her 1.2kg dog, Zissman offered a free private jet ticket from Dubai to London Luton Airport to anyone willing to accompany Crumble on the journey. The plea was circulated not only to her 712,000 Instagram followers but also across various Dubai-based WhatsApp groups, featuring an image of the dog with the caption: "Help Crumble get home. Anyone want a free private jet home this Saturday into London Luton? Just have to accompany little Crumble home! Total cost is covered for both you and him."
Despite these efforts, the flight was ultimately cancelled, with Zissman sharing an AI-generated image of Crumble in a soldier's uniform and stating: "No PJ [private jet] for Crumble just been let down (again). He's ok at the moment and safe and being cared for but I really want him with me."
Equine Evacuation Scheduled for April
Now, attention has turned to her six horses. In an Instagram post on Thursday, Zissman shared videos of the animals and wrote: "Updates from Dubai ❤️ the 6 horses there are all good. They are due to fly to the UK in April. I was planning to bring them back to the UK in May anyway so have moved their flight a month earlier. Can’t wait to have them with me."
She expressed gratitude to caretakers @declanc89 and @9valleys for their care, adding: "The plan was to always summer & compete in England before heading the horses back to Dubai in October.❤️"
Contrasting Narratives Amid Conflict
Zissman's actions present a stark contrast to her earlier assurances about Dubai's safety. While she initially voiced unwavering support for the UAE, even as Iranian missile attacks resulted in six fatalities and over 120 injuries, she subsequently fled to her Grade II-listed Hertfordshire manor, set on 2.8 acres of land.
Her family, including Irish millionaire husband Andrew Collins and their daughters Indigo, ten, and Clementine, nine, reside with her in Britain, while her eldest daughter Dixie, 15, remains in the UK attending boarding school.
Online Advocacy and Reality Check
Since relocating to Dubai in December, Zissman has been a vocal online advocate for the UAE, maintaining her stance despite the escalating violence. At the conflict's onset, she insisted the emirate remained secure despite explosions echoing across the city and a drone strike prompting the temporary closure of Dubai International Airport.
She told followers that while she had prepared her basement for emergencies, she had "faith" in the country's defence systems, later remarking: "Everything is largely fine. When you're here it's fine."
Nevertheless, her recent efforts to evacuate both her dog and horses underscore the practical challenges faced by expatriates in the region, highlighting the complexities of navigating personal safety and pet ownership during international crises.
