With Heather’s help, Benji has transformed from a poorly, neglected pup into a loving, healthy pooch

Benji is a Fox Red Labrador, who arrived with us in lockdown 2020. He was only 10 months old, and he’d spent a lot of that time locked up in a puppy crate with owners who didn’t have a garden or any time for him. He was an impulse buy they regretted, and they didn’t know how to look after him.

As a result, he chewed everything he could to relieve the boredom and anxiety. He suffered from gut problems and conjunctivitis, and he was generally an unhappy boy. After a bit of settling in and some training, he’s now nearly four years old and he’s a wonderful, happy, inquisitive, loving dog.

He keeps me company when I’m working and lets me know when I’ve been sitting too long and it’s time for a walk. He's also trained me to fetch his ball when he chucks it from the top of the stairs so I can throw it back. Unfortunately, he thinks other items can also be chucked, such as the odd bone, which has a harder landing on the tiled floor!

He adores swimming and has been known to become immovable and scream loudly in a tantrum when asked to leave a lovely beach. If you ask him what good boys do, he’ll immediately sit down on the floor, waiting for a tasty reward.

He’s a wonderful, happy, inquisitive, loving boy

He gives me dog kisses (with no licking) to show he’s my buddy, and belly rubs are obligatory before breakfast. He’s got me walking, enjoying the outdoors, making new dog owner friends, and generally loving my life more because he’s in it.

Julian has learnt a lot from his two dogs Gracie and Sophie, who brighten up his every day

Gracie is a lovely Golden Retriever, who lives with her daughter Sophie. Sophie turned two years old on the first of December, but she didn't take much notice of her birthday celebrations. She was much more interested in chasing the pheasants that roam across the fields near our house – they make a wonderful chucking sound when they leave the ground, and Gracie loves nothing more than to watch her run after them.

Dogs are an example to us all

On one occasion, the pair of them decided to chase after a herd of about 50 deer. Of course, they never manage to catch anything, but it is quite entertaining to watch them try!

Dogs are an example to us all. While we moan and groan, dogs are always positive and happy to be here. In the morning, we have to have a cup of tea or coffee before we can get anything done – but dogs are up with a shake of their head and a wag of their tail, bright and happy whatever the weather and however early it is. We can learn so much from our four-legged best friends.

Coll came into Michelle’s life when she needed a furry companion the most

We rescued Coll from our local animal shelter almost six years ago. When we got him, I was at a low point, having just lost my dad and undergone surgery. I wasn’t able to work, and I was struggling with feelings of boredom and depression.

Coll came into our lives just at the right time

Coll came into our lives at just the right time. He gave us a reason to get up and out every day. He motivates us and makes us laugh, and we’re so very proud of how far he’s come since we adopted him. It’s not always been easy but he’s a quick learner who’s eager to please, and always gives us lots of cuddles. Coll is our best friend who we love unconditionally.

She may be small, but Sissy has had a huge impact on Jessica and her parents’ lives

Every morning, Sissy wakes me with a bang on the door as she uses all of her tiny strength to batter her way into my bedroom. You would think she loves me, but really she just wants to curl up and sleep for an extra hour after my parents get up. She has a habit of curling up next to me like a freshly baked, fluffy cinnamon swirl – with her signature pink tail.

The best times with Sissy are on our local beach in Conwy. As soon as she gets on the beach (after 200+ sniffs and wees) she fires off like a rocket, running at 100 mph, stopping only to lie on her back and do a wriggly breakdance in the sand.

Sissy is the glue that holds us all together

There are four of us in our family, and Sissy is the glue that holds us all together. My dad works on ships that go all over the world, and his goal is to leave a Sissy hair on every ship in the sea. We go nowhere without her – she has had her picture taken on the beach in Cannes, the Dark Hedges in Northern Ireland and next to a Ferrari in Monte Carlo.

The best thing about Sissy is her affectionate nature and her often wonky looks. Having completed my PhD during the lockdowns, she was my loyal companion sitting on my knee with her head on the keyboard. Day after day, she was there to bring smiles to zoom meetings (and often a great excuse to leave them!).

She can go from looking the best in show after a brush, to looking like a drunk Donald Trump after a good windswept breakdance on the beach. The most special thing about having her as a baby sister is waking up with her under my chin, snuggled up warm and peaceful.

Though Nikka has lost her sight, Julie is constantly amazed by her fearless approach to life

Nikka is a 10-year-old yellow Labrador. We’ve had her in our family for three years, as her last owner passed away. She’s since developed cataracts and she’s now completely blind. My other Labrador, Bentley, also 10, is very protective of her, and they are great friends.

Despite her lack of sight, Nikka is so fearless. She has marvellous senses and is ball crazy. She listens for the bounce and then sets off to find it. Nothing stops her. If you let her off the lead, she sets off with no hesitation.

We have set words like ‘up’ for a step or pavement and ‘tree’. She has bad arthritis in her front paws, and they must be painful, but she never shows it.

Nikka knows that I’ll always be there for her, and she follows me everywhere. People are amazed at her resilience. She’s such a happy girl, with her tail always wagging. Both Nikka and Bentley are my world, but Nikka is my brave, loving girl.

People are amazed at her resilience

Raven’s dog Pixie might be getting older, but she’s still got the same zest for life she’s had since she was a puppy

Pixie is a feisty, scruffy little black Border Terrier Miniature Poodle cross. Her well-earned nickname as a puppy was Taz, after the Tasmanian Devil, as she was a whirlwind of destruction. Keeping her well plied with toys saved our own toys and furniture!

Pixie has only ever known love and comfort

She’s a very sweet little dog, who loves everybody, even the family cat. Despite being 15 years old, she’s still very agile and lively with no stiffness. She still loves her favourite toy – a squeaky, startled baked potato that she’s had since she was a puppy.

Pixie has only ever known love and comfort, and she’s a great snuggler at night. She’s family.