Missie is a constant source of cuddles and support for everyone in River’s family

I always refer to Missie as an angel sent from heaven, as she’s provided life-saving therapy for both my dad and me, throughout our mental health struggles.

Missie is the most loving dog I’ve ever known. She always wants to say hello to every human she meets, although she’s wary of other dogs. She’s such a family dog – wherever we are in the house she has to be there too, even the bathroom! She always likes to be touching a part of you to know you’re close. If she’s not on your lap, she’ll place a paw on your arm or her head on your feet.

Missie is the most loving dog I’ve ever known

Her favourite toy is her tennis ball, which is affectionately called ‘Ballie’ – we’ve actually been through multiple, but shh! Her favourite activity is playing fetch with it on the beach, but she also likes to take Ballie with her to bed and cuddle up with it.

I am beyond thankful for our loving, healing girl Missie, and I want to give her the biggest treat she deserves.

Monty has been there for Emily on good days and bad, and now he’s doing the same for her new baby

We’ve had Monty the Springer Spaniel for 2.5 years. We’ve always had dogs as children and felt our home wasn’t complete without one of our own.

As a pup, he was a bit of a terror, but he certainly kept us entertained as we went into lockdown. He was such a legend whilst we completed the extension on our home. He took having his house turned upside down and living in a building site all in his stride.

He always knows when I’ve had bad days

I work for the ambulance service, and he always knows when I’ve had bad days. His usual bumpiness settles, and he’ll allow me to cuddle into him and cry if needed. But he’ll never let me wallow in sadness for too long – he’ll always do something silly to make me laugh. Our long walks also help clear my head.

Three months ago, we brought home our baby girl. We were slightly dubious of how Monty would react to no longer being the centre of attention, but he has stepped up to being the best big brother. He is protective of the baby and will always look at me for reassurance if someone else is holding her. If she cries, he is always the first to her side to check she is okay. Monty truly is the best dog.

Dawn knew that Scooby would be a positive influence, but she could never have imagined just how much he’d help her

A few years ago, I lost one of my two dogs to a brain lesion. My other 16 year-old-dog, Tia, developed severe separation anxiety, and I was told that getting another dog to keep her company could help. I visited a rescue and was shown some pups that had come over from Romania. One of them stole my heart – he was called Aris, but I changed his name to Scooby, which suits him better.

Scooby was terrified when I first brought him home. He knew nothing and had never been in a house, so he was scared of everything, especially the television. It took weeks of sitting outside on the front doorstep with him before he would venture outside. Improving his confidence was a long process, but with lots of love and patience he blossomed into the amazing dog he is today.

He blossomed into the amazing dog he is today

As I expected, introducing a pup to a 16-year-old dog wasn't easy. Scooby would grab hold of Tia's legs and drag her around (in a playful way), but because Tia wouldn't tell him off, he didn't know he was doing anything wrong. Sadly, just seven months after bringing Scooby home, we had to put Tia down. I was distraught, but Scooby was my saviour. He needed me just as much as I needed him, and he gave me a reason to get up every day. Taking him for walks got me out of the house and talking to people, but more than anything, I’m grateful for what a calming and positive influence he was in that dark time.

He didn't ever pester or whine – he was my rock and always stayed by my side. Now Scooby has a little sister (another rescue dog I adopted two months ago), and they get on so well you’d think they had always lived together.

Brave, loyal and the best teammate, Leri gives Katy a lot to be proud of

Lerihas recently retired from his role as a Protection Dog for the British Army. I first met him when he was two years old, after he had been postedto my unit fresh out of training. He was my first Military Working Dog and together, we guided each other through.

We guided each other through

We absolutely smashed our last licensing, and were awarded an advancedpass, something that has not been achieved in more than ten years at my unit. I have learnt so much from Leri and I’m honoured to have been able to take him home at the end of his service. I owe him all that life can give and I love him so much.He’s my big, slobbery, brave boy!

Lou and Pluto share an incredible connection that can never be broken

My best friend comes from a family who breeds German shepherds. In the summer of 2011, their dog Star gave birth to a litter of eight puppies, and I was helping to look after them all. I’d spend every day tending to the puppies, only ever stopping to sleep, which was quite often on the sofa in the puppy den.

Helping Star through her labour was a new experience for me. I found it as terrifying as it was inspiring, and it was so incredible to see each puppy take their first breath. After they had all grown and found a permanent home, I was given the last remaining one from the litter. He was called Pluto.

We share a very special bond

Nine years later and I still have my beautiful boy. We share a very special bond, since I’ve known him from the minute he was born. I live alone and he really is a huge part of my life. He’s the reason I smile every morning and laugh every day, the last face I see before I go to sleep at night, a shoulder to cry on when I’m upset and my brave protector when we’re out and about.

I’ve faced some really dark and difficult moments in the last nine years, and I’m not sure I could have managed them without Pluto by my side.

Carly created a loving home for Spanish rescue Hopper, and now he has a real spring in his step.

We adopted Hopper six months ago. He is a Galgo from Spain and was rescued just before Christmas last year. He was taken to Galga del Sol, a charity I am involved with. After a visit to the vets, an x-ray revealed that his leg had been broken so badly it would need to be amputated.

He has really come out of his shell!

It was touch and go after the surgery, but with intense nursing and care he turned a corner and started to improve. We adopted him officially at the end of March this year. At first, he was really timid and scared of people but over the last six months he has really come out of his shell!

We fundraise for this charity and he comes along with us – he has become a bit of an ambassador in my local area. He now loves attention from people and has become a gorgeous, goofy hound who makes us laugh every day and does not let the disability of missing a leg hold him back at all!