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.

Even though some people didn’t think Fibee was beautiful, it was love at first sight when Kat became her dog sitter

Fibee came to me through a dog sitting site, five years ago now. Her owners were French and wanted somebody to look after her when they went back to France, sometimes for weeks at a time. At first, Fibee was very nervous, but I took her everywhere with me and she slowly became more confident. She trusted me.

I didn’t even notice what bad shape she was in. She had decayed teeth, a scabby eye and no hair. I don’t really know how to explain it. Everyone else reacted with a slight recoil, but I thought she was lovely. And love is blind.

The more time she spent at mine, the happier she seemed to be there. Three years ago, her owners asked me whether I’d like to look after her full time. They were having babies so she was being more and more neglected, and she just loved her visits to mine.

I can’t believe how lucky I am

I honestly couldn’t believe it – I could have never imagined such an outcome when I first met her. But I said yes, without hesitation.

Before Fibee, I was a bit wild, spending weekends out with mates. Nothing too crazy, but nothing too healthy either. Fibee changed all that. She gave me a routine. I knew I needed to take care of her and make her feel safe.

No vets could tell me what was wrong with her skin. But I got her teeth sorted and slowly, with a grain-free diet, her eye got a lot better.

Now it’s like she’s had a second lease of life. She comes on hikes with me, 5+ miles on the trot. She’s a favourite at the leisure centres I work for, and she just helped me propose to my fiancée.

Sometimes I just stare at her and can’t believe how lucky I am that she chose me.

Charlotte had always been scared of dogs, but Mei helped her to overcome her fears

When my parents first came home with a hyperactive Springer Spaniel puppy in their arms, I was sceptical to say the least. I have struggled with a phobia of dogs since I was a child, crossing the road whenever I came within barking distance of a dog, no matter how small they were. So, the day they adopted Mei I sat alone by the backdoor, watching my family interact with this tiny, floppy-eared being rolling in the grass and scampering under the garden furniture.

I stopped flinching at every bark

Eventually, my mother dragged me out into the garden and sat me on a deck chair, in the centre of all the action. Mei immediately bounded over to me, sniffing and biting my shoelaces. It was the closest I had been to a dog my whole life. She must have liked the smell of my shoes because she soon fell asleep on them. While she slept, I felt brave enough to strokeher fur.

Over the coming months, I stopped flinching at every bark, and I even played with her and taught her a few tricks. Now, when I come across a dog in the street or park I react with interest and joy, rather than the fear and anxiety I had always lived with.

Pickle has brought nothing but happiness to his owner Lyndsey and her family

Pickle is a lockdown puppy, as we got him in July 2020. I am a nurse and have worked throughout the lockdowns. From the moment Pickle came into our house, he made us laugh and gave us all a reason to smile again. He truly was a ray of sunshine in a pretty grey and miserable year.

He always knows if we’re going out without him

He’s a clever dog, and always knows if we’re going out without him. When he can sense this is about to happen, he’ll refuse to come in from the garden, stopping us from leaving! His favourite thing to do is chase after balls, so every time we walk him, we take about three with us. One is for him to chase, one’s for him to carry while he runs and the other is a spare, because he’ll inevitably lose a ball along the way.

My dog has recently helped me to raise money for the charity Dementia UK. We did a 100km walk for them in just three days, and Pickle joined us every step of the way. We’re very proud of him.

Even though she hasn’t been part of Maya’s family for long, Sunny has made every day brighter since her arrival

When Sunny was born, she was the only survivor of her litter, so she’s been both a blessing and a miracle to our family.

She’s a confident ball of energy who enjoys nothing more than digging, jumping over anything in sight and climbing trees (yes, she climbs trees). When she isn’t doing that, she’s exploring new sights and smells.

Sunny had her first experience on a beach in Whitby recently. Then a week later, it was her first time in knee-deep snow. She loves a visit to a café for a doggy ice cream or two, while she curiously watches her fellow dog pals.

Sunny has brought so much joy to our lives, and she gives us a reason to carry on when times get tough. We have big plans for our girl to live out a full life with us, and we’ll never stop adventuring.

She gives us a reason to carry on when times get tough

Samantha loves how her dog Holly always looks on the bright side

Holly is a seven-year-old English Sheepdog. She has been there for me through thick and thin. Around seven years ago, I was severely ill with a mental health condition and had to be hospitalised. Holly was my motivation for getting better and helped me find joy in life again.

Holly was my motivation for getting better

She is there for me unconditionally, always giving me cuddles and kisses when I need them and making me smile with her funny antics. For instance, Holly thinks she is a tiny dog and loves to sit on people’s laps, but doesn’t seem to realise how large and clumsy she is!

Holly hasn’t had it easy and has needed surgery in the past, but despite all she has been through she remains a happy, playful girl who gives me all the love and joy in the world. I am so lucky to have her.