Ayda is always by Alyson’s side, whether she’s heading to work or healing from an injury

Ayda is an ex-racing Greyhound. During the first COVID lockdown, when there was no Greyhound racing, her trainer put her up for adoption with a local rescue. From the minute I saw her, I knew she was coming home with us.

From the minute I saw her, I knew she was coming home with us

She’s the most gentle dog. I take her to the care home where I work, and everyone loves her. I also volunteer for the small rescue who rehomed her. We stand outside supermarkets raising much-needed funds for them.

Ayda loves people and she’ll draw you in with her eyes, then she’ll lean on you with all her weight. Recently I broke my ankle, and I don't know how I would have coped without her. During the day, she was my only company – and a good listener, too. She means the world to me. She's my best friend and a truly amazing dog.

Bryn came into Amy’s life when she needed him most, and now she can’t imagine even a day without him

We have a long, emotional story, but I will try to keep it short. I got Bryn when I was going through a bad time personally. My whole world fell apart – job, house and marriage – and he really did keep me living. We soon became inseparable and I began to find myself again. He kept me on my toes with his mischievous ways and made me laugh every day.

Living our best life

In 2015 Bryn was diagnosed with epilepsy (a strange coincidence, as I also have epilepsy). At first I thought I was going to lose him, but after a few weeks of meds, I started to see the old Bryn return. Since then, we’ve been living our best life, climbing mountains, moving out of our old town and eventually getting my dream job working with animals (Bryn comes to work with me!).

In the last couple of years Bryn’s condition has got worse, but I have been so lucky to be able to take him to work with me so I don’t worry about leaving him alone. I very rarely go anywhere without him.

Blaze the bulldog was exactly what Chloe and her family needed after the loss of their previous dog

Blaze is a one-year-old Olde Tyme English bulldog. He’s such a funny character and brings joy to the entire family. When we first got him, he couldn't walk and had no use of his back legs so, once he had the all-clear from the vets that it wasn't neurological, we had to teach him to walk.

Despite still having weakness in his legs, Blaze bombs around the house, constantly getting into mischief. He loves to steal socks and shoes, or anything he's not meant to have and hide behind the couch with it. He’s also friendly with our elderly hamster.

He bombs around the house, constantly getting into mischief

Blaze comes everywhere with us, and we’ve recently come back from Crail, Scotland where he was a fan favourite. He comes swimming with us down the beach, and even has doggy swimming lessons.

After we lost our old dog, Bruno, at the age of 13, our lives felt empty without a dog and the house felt quiet. We were all mourning the loss of our best friend. Blaze has definitely filled a hole in our hearts – and our beds. He loves to have a good snooze!

Ever since Molly joined the family, she’s been the best walking buddy Dona could ask for

My little Molly is my shadow. She follows me everywhere and likes to snuggle in on the sofa. I love walking and would walk alone as none of my family would come, but now Molly comes with me.

We go for a nine- or 10-mile walk around late morning and it's great having her by my side. I now know so many more people because of her. Before it would be a ‘hello’ in passing, but now we stop for chats. It’s great for my mental health as well, as I suffer from bad anxiety.

I now know so many more people because of her

Molly would do anything for food, and she’s absolutely ruled by her stomach. She knows when it’s time for meals and thumps her food bowl with her paw, until she gets what she wants.

When we got her, she was a very nervous little pup, and being attacked twice by other dogs hasn't helped. But she is so much better, even though she’s still a work in progress. Molly is the baby of the family, and we all love her and her little traits.

Gill is so proud of how kind and intuitive her dog Lola is, especially around those who need her most

Lola, a white and black Staffie, burst into our lives in 2018 as a seven-year-old rescue dog. Our other dogs had died that year and Lola was the bundle of joy we all needed. She came on a visit from the Rescue centre and never left.

She gets super excited every time she sees an adult and always greets them with enthusiasm. When she sees children, however, she’s much calmer and more relaxed. Lola is our granddaughter’s best friend.

Lola is our granddaughter’s best friend

Once, a little lamb found its way into our garden and got its head stuck in the fence. Lola stayed beside the lamb and started to bark until I came to find her. She helped me to save that small creature’s life, which is just another example of how loving and sensitive she is.

Shandy may be a rescue dog, but she’s saved her owner Paula in so many ways

I rescued Shandy from Spain. She was a street dog, and some ex-pats in the village found her and took her to the local rescue centre. When I heard her story, I knew she deserved a safe and loving home with us.

Our dog has completed our family

She has long legs and almost trots when running. She won't eat her food unless I say it's OK and she’s so gentle with our other tiny rescue dog, it makes my heart sing to watch them play and have fun!

Shandy has boosted my mental health. I was feeling pretty low after losing my job, but the long walks we take together have been so good for both of us. Our dog has completed our family and watching her grow more confident every day has been a joy for us all.