We sadly lost our Springer Rowan about the same time that Pip was born. Rowan had travelled all over Europe with us in our caravan and was our constant companion. Losing him broke our hearts, but Pip mended them.
Pip has so many funny quirks
He’s a working Springer, but his favourite place to be is on the back of the sofa, where he sits crouched like a rather odd-looking leopard. Pip has so many funny quirks, like taking his bed out of his crate every morning. He always looks so proud trotting up and down the corridor with it, and he’s kept us going through lockdown just by making us laugh every day.
Pip has a long coat over his shoulders which curls the wrong way, which can sometimes make him look as though he’s got a lion’s mane. One of his favourite things to do is search for treats I’ve hidden around the house for him. In the evenings, he likes to curl round my neck to watch TV. He really is an adorable, loving little chap.
I wasn't the one who wanted a dog. We'd had one many years before, and it broke our hearts when she had to be put down due to illness. But when my hubby showed me a picture of this little ball of fur (Suzie is a Toy Poodle), the first hurdle was over!
We visited her and brought her home the same day. Immediately, I was under her thumb. Suzie spends most of her days with 'Dad' and greets me as though I've been away for months, not hours. She likes her walks and playing with her ball over the big fields. She loves helping around the garden and sitting on her dad's lap for a snooze and sunbathe.
She makes home life that little bit sweeter for us all
She's with me most evenings – it's almost like we’re tied together by two feet of invisible string. We play with her favourite doughnut toy, and I've found myself reading my book out loud as if she's listening! She sleeps in her upstairs bed on the floor next to me. I always have to say ‘night night’, or she won't settle down.
She also sits in front of me, does a little wave of her paws and 'talks' when she wants attention. Suzie’s a little ball of fur that makes home life that little bit sweeter for us all.
Beau is a wonderful family dog. He’s everybody’s friend, and I’m always getting requests from my neighbours to see if he wants to join them and their dogs for a walk.
Beau loves being at home
He provides us with endless laughter, especially when he gets given a treat and starts jumping around like a little puppy. Every evening, after hislast walk, he likes to enjoy a tummy rub or two. Beau loves being at home and is very protective of our house, though he’s great at sharing the garden with the birds, squirrels and hedgehogs. Our dog is a treasured member of our family, and we wouldn’t be without him.
Bowie is a ‘Huskador’ – his mum was a Siberian Husky and his dad was a chocolate Labrador. Bowie has chocolate fur with a Husky tail and ruff around his neck and chest. He also has one brown eye and one blue eye!
I got him after my daughter took her puppy, who had been living with me, back to live with her after the first lockdown. There was a huge empty space in our lives, which Bowie has filled for us all.
Has even learned to kiss on command
He has quite the fan club going in the village where we live. It’s not surprising, given he has so many adorable traits – like when he barks and it sounds like he’s shouting 'Hello' at us and our cat! He’s got such a gentle nature that he never barks at other dogs, doesn't chase cats and has even learned to kiss on command.
I’ve had two spinal surgeries, and this in addition to lockdown meant I stopped going on walks. Since Bowie is always keen to go out and explore, he’s succeeded in getting me out for walks up to three times a day!
Holly is a seven-year-old English Sheepdog. She has been there for me through thick and thin. Around seven years ago, I was severely ill with a mental health condition and had to be hospitalised. Holly was my motivation for getting better and helped me find joy in life again.
Holly was my motivation for getting better
She is there for me unconditionally, always giving me cuddles and kisses when I need them and making me smile with her funny antics. For instance, Holly thinks she is a tiny dog and loves to sit on people’s laps, but doesn’t seem to realise how large and clumsy she is!
Holly hasn’t had it easy and has needed surgery in the past, but despite all she has been through she remains a happy, playful girl who gives me all the love and joy in the world. I am so lucky to have her.
I first fell in love with Monty when I saw his photo on a Labrador rescue site. By the time I had registered with them, he had been taken. To my amazement, he was back two weeks later as the lady that had taken him couldn’t cope. The following day I was off to collect him.
I took him to a field to do recall training and soon learned that he loves water! He sniffed out that there was water nearby and took off. The lead went through my hands like butter. He went swimming in the lake with all the ducks, and I ended up in the hospital with second-degree burns. He’s a typical teenager but I still love him!
He’s a typical teenager but I still love him
We couldn’t go past any stream, river or canal as he would want to be in it – and usually was. So, I took him to the local hydro pool for dogs. He loves it and now goes once a month. He cannot wait to be in the pool.
He is a retriever by name and by nature. If it’s on the floor, he will bring it to you, whether you want it or not. If he’s bored, he will fetch you anything he can find, and then run around the living room with it.
He is also a Pets As Therapy (PAT) dog, so he visits our local hospital, as well as one in Leeds. They all love him, have his photo on the walls, and know when he will be coming to their ward. We walk into our local hospital and everyone seems to know him. You can be walking down a corridor and hear someone say “Look, Monty is coming”.