Alfie doesn’t often enjoy doing what he’s told, but luckily Karen loves him unconditionally anyway

Alfie is a very quirky boy! He prefers to do the opposite of all other dogs. He hides under the table the moment you get his harness out. He doesn't play fetch – he’ll run for the ball, but there’s no chance you’ll get it back until he's eaten it!

He prefers to do the opposite of all other dogs

He doesn't like meals. He will do NOTHING for a treat. He rips up all his beds, preferring a bean bag or the floor. He won't give his paw, sit, lie or recall. And he loved escaping until we built our own Fort Knox!

He drinks from dirty puddles, water features, or anything other than his bowl – unless he's desperate. He's a typical terrier: full of character, spirited and an anarchist. But we love him dearly.

Jennifer’s daughter was really struggling after she had to leave school due to her autism – but that all changed when Willow came along

My daughter, now 15, has been home-schooled since she was 11. For a little context, she has autism, so secondary school really took a toll on her mental health. The constant overstimulation would leave her tired for days on end. Eventually she couldn't continue at the school, so we had to take her out.

About a year ago, things were getting quite bad. She was barely showering or cleaning herself, she wasn’t leaving the house due to rising anxiety, and she really wasn’t the happy little girl I know and love. She’s always had a connection with animals, and her love for them has been a coping mechanism, so we got her Willow.

We’re currently planning to get her trained to be an assistance dog for my daughter

To say this bettered her life is a massive understatement. Willow is a playful pooch. She’ll bring you a toy anytime to try to get you to play. She loves to play tug with anything. She likes it when we sit on the floor and throw dog biscuits for her to chase and eat. She also enjoys bringing us bones to hold while she chews them – it's often stinky, but it's how she bonds, and we love her for it! She also loves her cuddles, so she’ll curl up on our laps and sleep whenever possible.

Having the extra responsibility of this fluffball in my daughter’s life has helped tremendously. She now leaves the house to walk her, she comes out of her room more to spend time with Willow, and she’s even more confident talking to people with Willow nearby! We’re currently planning to get her trained to be an assistance dog for my daughter. She’s the little superhero we needed.

10 days was all it took for the ultimate friendship to blossom between Captain and his owner Danny

I looked after Captain for 10 days while my friend went on holiday, and within those 10 days we built such a great friendship, in the park playing ball, taking pictures.

He was more of a kitchen dog and stayed in the hallway at my friend’s, but I had him on my lap, sleeping next to me in my bed with loads of cuddles. When my friend came back and I had to give my new best friend back, I was in bits crying like a baby. That night I felt so lonely and sad. I missed the little man so much, the next day at work I had to ask how Captain was. “He’s OK but seems a tad sad,” they said.

Apparently he started to whine and howl a lot and would not get out of his bed – he was heartbroken. The following day my friend approached me and said “would you like to have Captain back for good?” Now at this time captain was 11 years old, but those 10 days changed his life. It was a dream come true: “yes yes yes I want him!”

I had to wait two days before I could collect him. The days dragged but Sunday finally came. I was so excited I couldn’t wait to get him, and when he saw me he came running and jumping at me. He could not wait to come back. He’s now 16 and won’t leave my side, cuddles me all the time, and he actually smiles in his sleep. He changed my life so much, he’s my best most loyal friend. He helps with my mental health and gives me a reason to make my life better!

He actually smiles in his sleep

When Deb and her husband were struggling to conceive, their fur baby Rufus joined the family and helped them through the toughest few years of their lives

Myself and my husband had been together since 2002. In 2008, we bought our home, and in 2009 we got married and very quickly decided we wanted to have a baby.

Little did we know, life was going to throw us a massive curve ball and our journey wasn’t going to be that simple. So, 2011-2013 came and went with no joy of a baby. We’d had a round of fertility treatment and it failed, and my mental health was taking a bashing.

Then, in March 2014, we decided to get our fur baby Rufus and he literally saved me for the next two years. He was my confidant, my best friend, my shoulder to cry on and my strength to get up every morning.

He knows everything about me – the good, the bad and the ugly

He got me through so much, and still does. He knows when I’m upset, or when I need time and hugs. He knows everything about me – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Then, in 2016, our journey as human parents finally began, and Rufus is exactly the same with his human brother. He’s by his side forever and always and loves us all unconditionally.

I share my story as I feel like we sometimes don’t give our doggos enough credit for what they do for us. Just this month we added another furry friend to our brood and, again, Rufus has taken to him so well. I’m proud of my boyo and he will forever be my first baby.

When Rosemary discovered Ruby had helped to save her puppies, she knew she was the dog for her

Ruby was a rescue dog from Zakynthos, Greece. She ran out in front of a tourist’s car in the mountains in August this year. Thankfully they stopped, and she led them to a cave where she had five puppies that were about four weeks old. The tourist contacted the local rescue centre who took Ruby and her puppies in. I saw her profile on Facebook and immediately fell in love with her. I applied to adopt her, and she was transported to the UK in October.

Her pups wouldn’t have survived if she hadn’t taken action

We’re not sure of her exact age, but the vets have aged her at between one and two years. She is the most lovable dog ever with a fantastic temperament. When I picked her up, she just jumped into my arms, like she knew she was home. I'm forever grateful to the Healing Paws charity for allowing me to adopt her. All of her pups are now also in England and I am in touch with the owners. She had beautiful pups who no doubt would never have survived if she hadn’t taken action when she did.

She has been named after one of her rescuers, who I also keep in touch with. Ruby has changed my life with her lovable ways. She loves her walks and, after having a hip replacement last Christmas Eve, has enabled me to get out as well. My hubby didn't want a dog, but he is so besotted with her now!

She may be tiny, but Poppet has made a huge difference in Sasha’s life, from making her laugh to helping with her mental health struggles

Poppet is a tiny Chihuahua but has the biggest heart and the craziest, most infectious personality.

She never fails to make me laugh, whether she’s zooming across the landing to air dry herself after the bath, leapfrogging over people in the park who then unexpectedly find a Chihuahua in their lap, or falling in love with the new neighbours!

I find nothing more fulfilling than sharing my life with her

Poppet makes everyone smile. I have been in a very dark place with my mental health and sometimes it’s a struggle to get out of bed, but Poppet always makes my day worthwhile.

I honestly find nothing more fulfilling than sharing my life with her. It gives me a purpose. She’s not just my dog, she’s my best friend and I don’t do anything without her!