Amy couldn’t be without her dog Bailey, who’s stuck by her side through it all

Bailey is amazing. I have severe mental health issues and last year I underwent some treatment at a hospital. Although this meant Bailey and I had to spend a prolonged period of time apart, he came to visit me regularly. Whenever he came, he’d bounce around and brighten not only my day, but all of my fellow patients’ too.

He came to visit me all the time

When at home, Bailey and I walk for miles, which really helps improve my mental health. He always greets everyone we meet with a huge smile and a waggy tail, and they fall head over heels for him. If I’m going through a low episode, Bailey cuddles me close to let me know he’s there.

Since being out of hospital, my mobility has been limited but Bailey is still just as attentive. He’s so loving, and truly is the best friend anyone could wish for.

For owner Jacqueline and family, Bella has proved to be the best companion they could’ve hoped for

Bella is an amazing girl. I waited almost three years for her from her breeder, and it was a bittersweet moment that the day we were to pick her up was the day our old horse died unexpectedly.

She's a real family friend

She gave us something to focus on. She's a real family friend and is gentle and adored by our grandchildren, who have one of her puppies, now 5. Bella has accompanied my husband to work in a psychiatric rehabilitation unit, and has proven that a non-judgemental smiling Goldie is the best medicine.

She loves visitors, but she is a great watch dog, loving nothing better than to sit on the chair by the window and watch the world go by. Like a lot of Goldies, she mumbles and mutters, saving that method of communication for her human friends. She has been a fantastic foundation bitch for me, although now retired (she had two litters) her children and grandchildren share her amazing temperament.

Since she moved in with Ashlea’s family, Millie’s transformed from a fearful rescue dog to a happy, loving pooch

Millie is a rescue Golden Retriever who has been part of our family for just over a year now, alongside her sister Bella, who is a rescue tortoiseshell cat.

We live in the Forest of Dean so Millie’s absolute favourite thing is long hikes through the forest, where she can run after squirrels and wallow in every muddy puddle, pond and stream she can find.

Millie was a little nervous when we first got her, but now she’ll go up to any person she sees for fuss and cuddles. Unfortunately for her, some people are less keen for cuddles after she’s had a good mud roll.

Millie was previously kept in an outside run and had never been in a house before we brought her home, but she’s now fully adapted to a life of luxury, snoozing on the sofa or our bed! She’s a beautiful, gentle and sweet-souled girl. I may be biased, but to me, she is the dog of the year every year.

To me, she is the dog of the year every year

Carmen has been Wendy’s saviour during lockdown, but she hasn’t got the hang of video calls just yet...

Carmen is my Canine Partner, who’s been with me for just over a year now. She’s a beautiful Golden Retriever with the longest fluffy tail.

My dog helps me with tasks around the house. If I stop breathing at night, she wakes my husband by jumping on the bed, and is even trained to use an emergency phone to call an ambulance.

She is extremely caring but also has a wild side

She is extremely caring but also has a wild side and goes crazy on the beach. I think she’s trying to dig her way to Australia! The way she runs and plays, it’s hard to believe she’s the same calm girl that helps me through every day.

Carmen used to be a school reading dog, which she loved. She always looked as though she understood every word the children were saying. Now the reading classes take place over a video call, and Carmen always tries to get behind my laptop to see if the children are actually there behind the screen.

I don’t know how I’d have coped with lockdown without Carmen by my side. She is my angel and I love her to bits.

Misha’s playful dog, Koda, makes the world a brighter place with his funny antics

I got my dog from a shelter in Macedonia. He was funny and quirky from the first day I met him, which is what drew me towards him. Koda is like a human – he sighs and gives the perfect side-eye stare when he’s annoyed.He also constantly wants to play and is obsessed with belly rubs. He’ll try and get one from every person he sees, even if they’re a total stranger.

He’s a large dog but a complete baby

Koda adores cats but sadly for him, the affection isn’t usually reciprocated. He’s a large dog but a complete baby, with a phobia of tiny pups! He’s so loving, funny and inquisitive, and I can’t imagine my life without him.

Leanne and her partner love their fluffy companion, Nova, who brightens up their lives with her adorable quirks.

Nova came into my life at a moment when I really needed something to give me a boost – and she sure did that! Her energy, playfulness and the love she gives my partner and I is second to none.

When she smiles and her tongue hangs out

She loves to go to the park so much that, even just a mention of it and she does a little hop and a skip, then runs off in search of her lead! In the evenings she does her ‘zoomies’, where she runs around in circles then jumps up onto the sofa and flips all the cushions off, which really makes us giggle.

My favourite thing about her is when she smiles and her tongue hangs out of the side of her mouth. I’ve yet to meet someone who isn’t taken in by Nova’s charms. Affectionate, caring, lovable and at times cheeky, she’s the best companion we could ever have and we absolutely adore her.