Cesar Millan, ‘The Dog Whisperer,’ reveals suicide attempt

“The Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan is usually focused on rehabbing canines -- but he’s now revealing some work he had to do on himself following a suicide attempt in 2010.

In February of that year, he lost his top dog, Daddy, to cancer after 16 years as a team. A month later, Millan’s wife told him she wanted a divorce after 16 years of marriage. The combined blow knocked him for a loop, he shares in “Cesar Millan: The Real Story,” a documentary on Nat Geo Wild.

In May 2010, he attempted suicide via drug overdose, winding up unconscious and hospitalized, he said. In June, news of his divorce went public.

While he had acknowledged on his blog that the summer of 2010 was “the lowest level I had ever been emotionally and psychologically,” he hadn’t previously mentioned the suicide attempt.

“Daddy was my Tibet, my Himalaya, my Gouda, my Buddha, my source of calmness,” Millan told the Associated Press.

To come back from his low, he told the AP, he opted for his much-preached pack-dog wisdom instead of anti-depressants, and used exercise, discipline and affection to heal. Constant work helped a lot too, he said.

Two years later, Millan said he is moving ahead in his life. Though Daddy will never be replaced, he said, his collar -- and the job that comes with it -- has been filled to some extent by Junior, another pit bull trained in similar fashion.

And the human has a new girlfriend, Jahira Dar, who lives with Millan and the younger of his two sons. Millan said he plans to surprise her with a marriage proposal soon.

A new Millan show, “Leader of the Pack,” is scheduled to premiere in January. “The Dog Whisperer” ended its run in September. “Cesar Millan: The Real Story” is set to air Nov. 25.

ALSO:

“Project Runway” star Tim Gunn reveals suicide attempt

“The Dog Whisperer” Cesar Millan and wife divorcing after 16 years

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