Sometimes Sammy has so many people waiting on him, Stephanie thinks he’s more human than dog

He’s the best thing since sliced bread – a human with four paws. He's not easy to wake in the morning because he likes to stay wrapped up in my dressing gown until I get sorted.

He enjoys the perks of two houses, as he passes between ours and the neighbours via his own self-made gate in the fence. He goes there to play and comes home to sleep.

He’s the best thing since sliced bread

He loves ‘hunt the treat’ games, as well as the usual doggy toys. He asks to go out for a wee by peeping round the corner of the room and giving a small 'chuff' sound. He also makes the same noise when he wants to come up on the sofa – he’s a dog with manners.

He has his own masseuse (my friend), his own eye cleaner (my husband) and his own bottom cleaner (me). Can you get any more human than that? Or is he just a spoilt pooch? We love him loads, for all his traits.

After a few turbulent years, senior rescue dog Danny finally found his forever home with Annabel and her family

Danny is a German Shorthaired Pointer from Cyprus, where he was found in a kill shelter. He was looked after in a rescue shelter then flown to the UK and sent to a foster home. A few months later, he was adopted.

He’s very fit and active for his age

But after nine months, his owners’ circumstances changed, and they had to make the hard decision to find him another home. This is where we came in. We adopted Danny the day before lockdown, and he joined our other two GSPs.

He’s a very vocal boy, and certainly lets us know when he wants something, whether it’s his meals or his tennis ball, his most favourite thing ever! He’s very fit and active for his age, and he loves his walks with his fur brother and sister – another Cyprus rescue who we adopted last May.

Artie loves Amy’s grandad almost as much as he enjoys stealing takeaways..

Artie is a rescue Greyhound who is wonderful in every way. My partner and I are both key workers, and our sensitive Artie always offers us endless comfort and support at the end of a long shift.

Artie brings him so much joy

He has also proved to be a very understanding dog and loves to cuddle with my grandad. Despite his young age, Artie always stands by his side, gently snuggling into him and lapping up the attention. My grandad has Alzheimer’s, but Artie brings him so much joy.

Artie is an entertaining dog and loves jumping on the spot and skidding onthe floor when he sees you. He is the perfect addition to our family, even though he tries to steal all of our takeaways by grabbing them off the kitchen table! He will always have a place in our hearts.

Otty may be a fluffy whirlwind of chaos, but that’s why Lyn loves him so much

Otty is nicknamed ‘the destructor’ because he’s just so clumsy. If he’s not knocking something over with his wagging tail, he’s slipping and sliding onthe wooden floor. He always gives me such a funny look afterwards, almost as though he finds himself as hilarious as I do!

He’s just so clumsy

Otty is also a stock-stealer, and our garden has become a graveyard for all of his buried treasure. He may be a big, fluffy disaster, but I wouldn’t have him any other way.

Before she was rescued, Miri’s weight was severely affecting her health, but that all changed with a little TLC from Jean

Rescue dog Miri is a Miniature Dachshund, who belied that title when she came to me two years ago through Dachshund Rescue UK. Weighing in at a whopping 12.5kg, she was anything but miniature in stature. She could barely walk, her chest and belly were dragging on the ground, she couldn't lift her head up high, and her breathing was under strain.

She’s living proof that change can happen, with the right love and care

Skip forward two years and Miri is a svelte 5.1kg. As her size has diminished, her confidence has just grown and grown. She adores cuddles and attention, which she laps up from the residents when I visit my mum in her care home, bringing a huge smile to the faces of those who indulge her.

At the hockey club, she has become the club mascot, and a real inspiration for those who have followed her journey. She’s living proof that change can happen, with the right love and care

Both Jo and her daughter feel eternally grateful for the happiness Oreo has brought into their lives

Oreo is an absolute pleasure to share our lives with. She recently lost her best friend Willow, a Bernese Mountain Dog, and it has taken her a good six months to get back to being her usual happy self.

Love certainly is a wet nose, slobbery kisses and a wagging tail

She’s my daughter’s best friend and they are inseparable. The bond between them is beautiful and we struggle to imagine what life will be like without her. We know that as a giant breed she’s now an old lady, but the joy she brings us all is beyond words.

We feel truly honoured to have Oreo in our lives and we treasure every day we spend with her. Love certainly is a wet nose, slobbery kisses and a wagging tail.