Nymeria has been through a lot, but Tabitha is in constant awe of how she takes everything in her stride

I’ve had Nym since she was just a puppy, and since then she has remained closely by my side. When she was younger, I taught her lots of tricks such as rolling, walking on her hind legs and pirouetting. She has got me through many tough times with her calm demeanour and cosy cuddles.

She very quickly grasped how to live with her blindness

In early 2020, Nym went suddenly and completely blind. She started running into things and became much more nervous. Fortunately, she’s a sweet and trusting dog, so she very quickly grasped how to live with her blindness, learning new words such as ‘careful’ and ‘step’. Now she’s used to navigating using her sense of smell and hearing and has even memorised the layout of the house as well as our regular walking routes, so she can get around with confidence.

I love my dog just as much now as the day I got her. I wouldn't change her for the world.

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.

With Graham by her side, Emma has the confidence to go out and experience new things, and now the pair are inseparable.

Since Graham has come into my life, he’s inspired me to get out and explore new places, as well as meet new people. I have never been a confident or particularly sociable person but having Graham by my side helps me to feel better and there isn’t anywhere I would go without him!

He’s come with me on a seven-mile-hike around the Peak District, travelled up to my hometown of Sheffield and even comes with me into cafes. Having him has pushed my partner and I to hire a camper van and travel around the Scottish Highlands. It’s always been a dream of mine, and now it’s even more special because he can come along with us!

Helps me to feel better

Graham is a very loving dog and is everyone’s best friend, even if he’s just met them. He is always up for a cuddle and loves giving people a ‘hug’ (where he puts his paw over your arm). I think meeting new people is one of his favourite things, along with food! He loves all food and will shamelessly do tricks for you in an attempt to get some – I haven’t found anything he won’t eat yet, even lettuce!

He’s also a pro at posing for the camera. Because of him photography is now a new hobby of mine, and of course he’s my favourite thing to take photos of. He is such a special dog and I honestly couldn’t imagine my life without him.

When things were tough, Max helped Emma to see the sunshine in every day

Max first came to us as an emergency foster from a shelter in Spain. We immediately fell in love with him and completed the adoption process soon after.

My physical and mental wellbeing started to improve

During lockdown, I was furloughed and then made redundant. Max got us out of the house as we walked to local beauty spots every day, and I found that both my physical and mental wellbeing started to improve. Now, we enjoy travelling further afield visiting National Trust sites, nature reserves and pretty places all over Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire.

We are so lucky to have found Max and welcomed him to our family. Being out in nature on walks has made a big difference to our lives – I’m hoping to start a blog featuring all our dog-friendly walks, so others can share in the joy of dog ownership and enjoying the great outdoors.

Bibi brings endless joy to Lisa’s life, and she’s also been great at helping her son with his epilepsy

Bibi is an absolute joy! She is a rescue pooch from Bulgaria, and we’ve had her for five years now. She was found on the streets with seven other pups. We saw her and wanted to give her the life she deserves.

She’s a beautiful angel that’s been sent from heaven

She’s very shy but since we’ve had our new puppy Bonnie she’s really come out of her shell. When she first arrived, she’d never seen traffic, a TV or dog toys before – everything was new to her.

My son was diagnosed with epilepsy five years ago and she always knew when he was going to have a seizure. While he was having one, she would lay by his bedroom door and bark and then lie on him. Honestly, she’s a beautiful angel that’s been sent from heaven. She’s gorgeous inside and out. We spoil her so much and she deserves it.

Chantel wasn’t prepared for how much she would love Xiaoxiao, and now he’s always on-hand to comfort her, support her son, and even groom her cats

Xiaoxiao (pronounced chowchow) was a street dog in China. He was rescued and adopted by me in October 2019. He’s slightly wonky so he can’t walk massive distances.

On the first night he came to me, he put his arms around my neck and just wouldn’t stop licking me. He spent that night asleep on my bed in my arms, and he’s slept there ever since.

I suffer from a few mental health conditions which affect my moods severely. Xiaoxiao always knows what I need in every moment. If I am angry or sad, he will sit next to me and lick me, then put himself on my lap to cuddle.

He is always by my side everywhere I go

He is always by my side everywhere I go, no matter what. Xiaoxiao has a thing about my socks. When I come home, I have to give him my socks or he will literally try and take them off my feet! He often plays with my cats as well – they run around together, and he helps groom them.

My son is currently on the road to being diagnosed with autism and Xiaoxiao is so good with him. If he is having a bad day, Xiaoxiao will sit with him, just letting my son stroke him while he calms down.

When I rescued Xiaoxiao, I had no idea how special he would be to me. Nothing I do doesn’t involve him. He came camping last summer for four days in Dartmoor, which he loved. We walked for miles, spent the nights in a tent on the moor and had the most amazing time.