Ozzy has stuck Aimee through some of the very hardest times, bringing sunshine day after day

My husky Ozzy really is my soul dog – that dog you connect with on a different level. I feel he and I were meant to be together. I rescued him when he was three in 2010. He's seen me the through the loss of four babies, the loss of my dad and several rather awful relationships.

I feel he and I were meant to be together

His love is unwavering. I've lost count of the amount of times he's pressed his face into mine when I've cried into his fur. He's now almost 15 and has lots of lumps, arthritis and is deaf and going blind, but he still thinks he's a puppy and is absolutely giddy telling me he needs his tea or frolicking on the beach. After a car accident in 2012 and working long hours away from him and my other dogs, he inspired me to start my own dog walking business which is now into its 10th year of business.

Oz has been into schools with me to teach young ones about how to approach dogs and has also been to lots of events as he inspired me to be a part of several husky rescues and to take on foster dogs before setting up my own business. When Oz goes it is going to leave a huge hole in my life and heart, but I'm so thankful that the best years of his life I've got to share.

Teddy is constantly making his owner Callum laugh with his hilarious antics

Teddy is a real character. I’m sure he thinks he’s a cat, as I’ll often find him attempting to climb the cat tree, which never ends well for him! He sure knows how to have fun – one minute he’ll be playing with his toys and the next he’s doing his famous Greyhound impression. He can also bea little terror, but no matter what he’s doing, he’ll always put a smile on your face.

He sure knows how to have fun

For Katie and her wife, Otis has been the perfect distraction from the stress of their demanding hospital jobs

We bought our cockapoo, Otis, home in October 2020. My wife and I both work in hospitals – she’s a doctor and I’m a hospital manager. Our jobs are stressful, and they’ve been made even more stressful by COVID, but every single day Otis has made us laugh, filled our house with love and kept us entertained with his funny little personality.

We simply can’t imagine our life without him

His favourite place to be is up on our shoulders – he would spend all day up there if he could. We think perhaps he is a cockatoo not a cockapoo.

He is such a gorgeous boy, he has us wrapped around his little paw and we simply can’t imagine our life without him. He loves everyone and is never happier than when there is a house full of people to give him fuss and attention.

Hank has been mostly blind for his whole life, but he inspires Paige and her family every day with his unwaveringly upbeat personality

At a very young age, we discovered Hank was partially blind, with very little to no sight. Hanks has had multiple operations to attempt to correct his vision and many, many vet visits over his short life. He’s faced all his challenges head on, with resilience and positivity, and his tail is constantly wagging.

He makes us proud every day with how far he has come

Hank has exceeded all the expectations that we had for him. He loves his Wainwright walks off-lead, he loves to swim in the water and play with all his other doggy friends. He’s allowed us to see that no matter what life throws at you, you can overcome it with the right mindset and be just like everyone else.

He makes us proud every day with how far he has come and what a lovely natured boy he’s been throughout it all. He is a firm favourite at his vets, with the nurses continuously complimenting him on his outlook on life. He has quite a fan base! On our bad days, Hank allows us to see the positivity and keeps us going.

After being rescued from her abusive trainer, life has only got better for Dora since she joined Claire’s family

Dora was rescued by the RSPCA in September 2022, and came into our lives when we adopted her in May 2023. She had survived starvation and neglect at the hands of her trainer, who was sentenced to 32 weeks in prison and given a lifetime ban from owning animals.

Dora is a sweet, bright and affectionate baby. She’s quite the comedian and wakes us up every morning by howling in our faces. She loves to 'curtsy' to greet people when they come into the house. She lightens up our work calls by laying on her back behind us and pulling goofy faces.

I want to give her as many experiences as I can to make up for her life before

Her favourite trick at the moment is to jump as high as she can when we leave the house on our walks. She also likes to outrun her best friend, Jadzia the German Shepherd, and play chase with her.

To me, Dora is an inspiration. She’s a reminder than no matter what you go through in life, you can't stop and wallow in misery. She’s a brave girl who genuinely loves humans and craves attention and affection. She makes my life better and I love thinking about the happy days I will give her.

She inspires me to look after myself, so that I can look after her. I’ve been to places I never would have gone, just because I want to give her as many experiences as I can to make up for her life before. She’s the best decision I've ever made.

Lynsey is so grateful for the joy Xander has brought into her life

I have a severe mental health disorder and was told that looking after a dog could improve my wellbeing. When I got Xander, I knew he would be apositive influence in my life, but I never could have guessed how much he’d change my whole world

He howls at the ice cream van

Xander has given me a purpose, helping me to get out of the house and meet new people. He always knows when I’m having a bad day, and he’ll lay his head in my lap or put his paw on my leg. It’s enough to make me feel loved.

He has so many funny quirks, like the way he howls at the ice cream van whenever we walk past. Xander also has a cheeky side, and whenever youtell him off, he barks back at you!