Christine’s dog Patch likes to keep her on her toes sometimes, but she knows he’ll always be there for her no matter what

Patch is such a loving dog. He enjoys nothing more than a good cuddle – but don’t be fooled, because he can also be a cheeky little rascal! One of his worst habits is unplugging things from their sockets. Once, he even managed to unplug my freezer! I’ve had to strategically place objects around the house now in an effort to deter him.

He can also be a cheeky little rascal!

One of the things I love most about Patch is his quirkiness. He likes to make himself comfortable, so every day he jumps up onto the sofa and rearranges the cushions so he has a stack of pillows to rest his head on. It makes us laugh every time!

He’s also extremely protective of me. Patch loves to sit and look out of the window, but if he sees someone approaching the house he barks like mad at them. Of course, that’s not to say he doesn’t know how to behave – every evening after I’ve done the dishes, he sits and waits patiently for me to give him his treat.

Jet helped Sue and her family heal after the loss of their beloved Banjo, and now he’s like an older brother to their two younger Whippets

Jet came to us with his brother Rebel via Whippet Rescue. We had recently lost our much-loved whippet, Banjo, at the age of three to an awful brain disease. We were heartbroken.

A few weeks after Banjo’s death, we received a phone call asking if we would consider adopting the two brothers. Their owner had become unwell and was no longer able to care for them. They were being passed around family members, none of whom wanted them. We thought long and hard for at least thirty seconds and said we would love them.

Jet is the venerable senior of our little pack

When we picked them up, every bone was visible. They were sunburnt, their ears were like old leather, and they were scared and bewildered. Over the next few weeks, we healed each other. They filled the enormous void left by our beloved Banjo, and we lavished them with good food and lots of TLC. They spent hours relaxing in the garden, and as they became more confident and settled, they helped out by digging and running all over the beds – but we didn’t mind.

We started taking them out in the car and they became firm favourites at our local National Trust property. They also loved trips to the beach as there was so much space to run. Sadly, we lost Rebel to kidney failure in March this year. However, Jet was not left alone as we had adopted a Whippet Bedlington Terrier cross called Reg in 2022.

At the end of May this year, we also had a message from a friend saying there was another Whippet in need, and she knew we had a ‘vacancy’, so Sam came to join us. Jet is the venerable senior of our little pack and keeps an eye on Reg and Sam.

Over the past six years, Rex has transformed from a crazy puppy into Emma’s top supporter

If you ever asked someone to describe the perfect dog, they would be describing my Rex. At six years old, he has sadly had multiple surgeries, including the recent removal of a fibrosarcoma from his mouth. Yet he is still the waggiest, most loving boy you could wish to meet.

Rex has dragged me through my darkest days. He’s loved me when I felt like the world didn't care, cuddled with me daily and very generously given us all endless sloppy kisses. He is an excellent big brother to two-year-old Elliott and is incredibly patient with him. He has adapted to his role so much better than I could have ever wished for.

He’s showing us the meaning of true unconditional love, in a way that only a dog can

Rex loves to come out on adventures and holidays with us, and he was even ring bearer at our wedding (although he was wearing a cone of shame with his suit). He was originally nicknamed ‘Shredder’ by my dad as a puppy due to his destructive habits, but his wild ways are no more. However, if there's food on the go, you can still guarantee he’s nearby, in true Labrador form.

To put it simply, Rex is just a joy to be around. He is a positive influence simply by being himself. He’s forever making us all smile and showing us the meaning of true unconditional love, in a way that only a dog can.

Tilly may seem cute and innocent, but she definitely reigns supreme in Anna’s house!

I wouldn’t be without my dog Tilly. Last year I had a nasty car accident and she got me through the low times. She’s full of mischief and such a great character. She’s not perfect – she’s got a crossbite so often shows off her tiny teeth – but she’s perfect to me.

She got me through the low times

Tilly is very affectionate. She loves to have a cuddle and be carried around. Though she’s also a very stubborn girl. She’s very much the boss of the family and has to be first with everything. She’ll often bite her ‘brother’ Scrappy’s ears, but he loves her just as I do. During the spring days, she loves to garden – digging holes and rolling in the mud!

Bramble’s funny antics and endless affection always put a smile on owner Diane’s face

Bramble is such a positive influence in my life. She’s always so happy and loves nothing more than making me laugh. One of her favourite things to play with is her Frisbee, especially when we’re on the beach.

She enjoys keeping me company and is always there to lend a paw. When I’m gardening, for instance, she’ll help me out by putting her ball in the trug. Bramble is also very affectionate, and won’t go to bed until she’s had her nightly kisses and cuddles.

Won’t go to bed until she’s had her nightly kisses

As a very clever dog, she knows exactly when it’s time for her treats in the morning and afternoon. I often find her waiting for me by the cupboard, and she won’t move until I’ve handed them over! Bramble has a love-hate relationship with our cat Alfie. I know she adores him, but he often rejects her with just a flick of his paw – it never seems to deter her from trying though.

Having a dog is great because they always wants to go for a walk. This means that even on the most wet and dismal days, I’m forced to get out and enjoy some fresh air, which really does help to keep me fit. Every day is special with Bramble in my life – she gives me a reason to carry on.

After the loss of her husband, rescuing and caring for Elsa gave Dawn the sense of purpose she needed

I got Elsa from a rescue centre in Doncaster. I was so pleased, and it made me feel great that I’d rescued her. She was so thin, and her coat was all matted up. I was told that she was mistreated previously. As I’d lost my husband, she became a great comfort to me. I now had someone to go for walks with, and she had someone to love and get love from.

It made me feel great that I’d rescued her

In the beginning, she always followed me about and just wanted to be mine. She was shy, but I made her happy. I got her coat clipped and fed her up. She was looking good, and I felt great every time I saw her improvement – it made me smile. She gave me lots of love and she even made friends with my son’s cat! We quickly became firm friends, and she would bark at anyone who came near me.

One day, my son Ken said to me: “You have a rest and I’ll walk Elsa.” He put her lead on and she went to the door. But when he opened the door, she sat down and refused to move. As soon as I came over, she was up and out! Poor Ken, bless him. He did try a few more times but she gave him the same reaction. All in all, she has such a loving personality and brings me so much joy.