Not only has Ferdie been a constant support for Clair for many years, but he’s also helped her foster a range of other animals

Ferdie is a very gentle whippet who has helped foster puppies, cats and guinea pigs over the years. He has always been so kind, especially to cats. When a new foster kitten or cat gets introduced to Ferdie, he lets them get used to him in their own time. He doesn’t mind whether they want to leap on him and hold onto his neck, or just cuddle him.

His best friend is Otto – an abused cat who finds people really scary. Otto isn’t good at sitting with other cats, but he loves Ferdie and they often sit in an arm chair together. Ferdie is also very gentle with my guinea pigs, and he’s even helped two puppies, who came from very challenging situations, as we got them ready for their forever home.

He’s helped foster puppies, cats and guinea pigs

In his spare time, Ferdie likes sleeping, sleeping and more sleeping. He can regularly be found buried under a sofa throw, no matter how hot it is. He’s a great companion for me, and if I’m upset, he starts whining because he knows I’m struggling. Then when I lose something, he’s always by my side trying to help me find it.

Ferdie is starting to slow down now and I’m having to deal with the realisation that he may not be here much longer. I don’t think I’ll ever meet another dog like him – he’s a dog in a million.

Blossom’s overbite meant she was no longer valuable to breeders, but their loss was Lyndsey’s gain as the pair have now formed an unbreakable bond

Blossom is originally from Ireland where she was used for breeding. It wasn’t long before they realised that she was passing on her overbite, reducing the value of her puppies. They no longer wanted her, so she went to Many Tears rescue centre in Wales.

From there she went to a foster home, before being adopted by a family. Sadly, this didn’t last long due to a marriage breakdown, so it was back to Many Tears, into another foster home, and then we met her and she came home with us. This was all before she was five years old.

We’ve now had Blossom for three years and it’s like she’s always been here. It took her about a year before she would let us rub her belly, and she’s still not 100% sure about my husband. But she’s my shadow and will follow me wherever I go. It’s a bond I’ve never had with any other dog I’ve owned and it’s so special. She’s been my jogging buddy, my marathon-walking buddy, my isolation buddy, and everything in between.

We absolutely adore every little hair on her

To see her character come out over the years has been absolutely beautiful. Watching her enjoying walks, trips in the car, days out as a family, scratches and her spectacular zoomies around our garden truly warms my heart. She is fantastic with both my daughters, and she even loves the guinea pigs!

There isn’t a bad bone in this dog’s body, which astounds me as she had such a rubbish start to her life. She is so patient and kind to our little puppy who joined the family in December, although she could do with being a bit firmer with him as he’s running rings around her!

Honestly, the love that our whole family has for this little ‘potato gremlin’ is immense. She’s our funky little monkey and we absolutely ADORE every little hair on her (though it would be nice if they stayed on her and didn’t stick to everything she touches!).

With her hilarious dog Dougie in tow, Sophie can’t get away with much!

Dougie is a young pup in an old dog’s body. If he doesn’t get his way, he goes in a huff and digs up his bed. He also sits and frowns if we stay up later than his bedtime, at which point he’ll try and nudge us upstairs. Then, he’ll follow us into our bedroom and make sure we’re tucked in on our own sides of the bed, before finally retiring to his own!

He goes in a huff

He may have some funny habits, but Dougie is the friendliest dog you’ll ever meet. There’s a stray cat that lives in our area and the two of them have become best friends, which is great as it means we can keep an eye on her and gain her trust.

Dougie can be best described as a good friend, a loyal pup and a massive bed head!

Ever since he came into their lives, Buddy has been Victoria’s daughter’s closest companion

Buddy belongs to my 14-year-old daughter, Abbie. For four years, from the age of three, she wanted a dog. Eventually, she chose Buddy, a two-day-old red Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and we visited every other week until he could come home with us.

Abbie has been committed to Buddy ever since. She’s been taking him training twice a week, every week, since he was old enough to go to puppy classes. She feeds him and bathes him and does everything for him. She has even researched the best food for maintaining his health.

The bond they have is wonderful to see

The bond they have is wonderful to see. When Abbie is unwell or struggling with her asthma, Buddy never leaves her side, choosing to lay next to her until she is well. As a team, they have worked together, competing in Obedience and Rally shows around the region. They’ve also competed at Crufts and won first place many times. This year, they were even chosen to be part of the Northern Team for the Interregional Rally competition at Crufts, where they won first place again.

As well as training, they love to play. Buddy loves balloons and will bounce around for hours with one. He often has Abbie in fits of giggles. When it snows, Buddy tries to help Abbie build snowmen but usually ends up digging them until they fall! He doesn’t like water and will do anything to avoid puddles, but if he sees Abbie going into the sea, he always makes sure he stays with her.

Abbie is quiet around people, but Buddy gives her the confidence to talk. He’s brought her out of her shell and together they are amazing. He really is a special dog. Best friends for life!

Ezra helped Katy through her post-natal depression and now he is a patient and gentle companion for her two-year-old son

Ezra is our whippet, our first dog and my first ever dog. He makes us laugh every day with his scattiness and crazy zooming and he gives the best cuddles. He also steals any bit of food available and he has the perfect pointed snout for sniffling the last of my tea, even when I think he's fast asleep.

Ezra was four years old when our little boy was born, two months before the pandemic started. At first, Ezzy was scared of the crying, but he soon came to be a doting big brother.

He’s always there for me

That crying felt like it didn't stop for 13 months though as our son had severe colic, and I spiralled into severe post-natal depression and anxiety. Ezra was, and still is, always there for me. He’s a constant calm support and he’s so patient and gentle with our now two-year-old little boy.

Ezra has really helped put a smile on my face every day, and he got me out of bed or out the house, even when I really didn't want to. I will love him always.

After Bella was diagnosed with heart failure last year, Kelly has been treasuring every moment she spends with her

Bella, my dachshund, has brought immeasurable joy and positivity to my life through her quirky behaviours, love and companionship. She has a few endearing quirks, such as barking for food and nudging her bowl for water, which add structure to my day and strengthen our bond. Bella also enjoys sitting at the window and watching the world go by, which is calming and relaxing for both of us.

Despite Bella's positive impact on my life, we received the devastating news on Boxing Day that she had heart failure. It was heart-breaking to hear, especially after she had already undergone spinal surgery to treat intervertebral disc disease. However, we are doing everything possible to ensure Bella is comfortable and receiving the best care possible. Though it is a challenging time for our family, Bella's resilience and determination continue to inspire us.

Bella's positive impact on my life is immeasurable

Bella's spinal surgery and recovery was a long process that required patience and care, but the experience brought us closer together. Her resilience in the face of adversity was nothing short of remarkable, and her recovery has been a testament to the enduring bond between pets and their owners. Today, Bella is back to her playful and energetic self, and we are grateful for the veterinary care and support that helped her heal.

Bella's constant companionship, love and affection have provided me with a sense of purpose and responsibility. Her presence has also increased my physical activity and appreciation for nature. She inspires me to spend more time outside and to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.

Despite the challenges we face with Bella's heart failure, we are cherishing the time we have left with her. She continues to provide us with love and companionship, and we are thankful for every moment we have together. Bella's positive impact on my life is immeasurable, and I feel incredibly lucky to have her as a companion and pet.