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.

London the dog was the most meaningful gift Verity could have ever received, and she is forever grateful for him

My mum bought London for me in the summer of 2017. I went all the way to Germany to collect him. She was so happy with our new puppy – he was sweet and gentle with all our other dogs. Mum knew that I would enjoy showing him off at dogs shows, talking him for long walks and grooming him.

She also knew that she wouldn’t be with me for much longer. By November, she had passed and I was devastated. But having London gave me the strength to carry on. Just as she’d hoped, I went out for walks and took him to dog shows – he gave me a reason to keep going, day in, day out.

Gave me the strength to carry on

London was patient with my tears, staying by my side throughout everything. Now, slowly and gently, he guides me through life. From the moment I get up in the morning to the moment I arrive home from work, he’s always there for me. Recently, he became a father to a wonderful puppy called Aster, who has been like a shining light of hope for the whole family this year.

My dog London truly is the gift that keeps on giving. He enhances my existence every day, and I couldn’t be without him.

Bruno has allowed Ellie and her partner to both overcome the loss of previous dogs

After losing my old dog Kai in November 2020, I was absolutely heartbroken. I couldn’t go to work, couldn’t eat or drink, my hair started to fall out – a lot. I said to myself I’d never get another dog, as I didn’t want to get heartbroken again. I met my partner in May 2021. He lost his dog in 2019 and he had the exact same problems with heartbreak.

For our one year anniversary, my partner bought me Bruno. I was so happy, I cried for hours! Since having Bruno, he has mended my heart and fixed a piece of me that was missing. He has cured my anxiety and depression, I am off my medication now for mental health. I was due to have the gastric sleeve this year, however, he has given me the motivation to go on long walks, I have lost nearly 7 stone now!

He is such an intelligent dog for nine months old

My partner is type 1 diabetic. Bruno magically knows when his sugars are high or low. He will jump all over me and won’t stop until I check my partner’s sugars, and would you believe it, they are either dangerously high or low. He is such an intelligent dog for nine months old. He is the best little man and he really deserves to be dog of the year or month as without him, I wouldn’t be here today. He truly is my little angel.

With Maki by her side, working from home could never be a chore for Meredith

Maki is a Romanian rescue who came over to the UK in January last year. Ifostered him for a few months and instantly fell in love. I knew I’d be working from home for a while, and Maki was a sweet boy who made me laugh and smile every day.

I can see it’s building his confidence

When he first arrived, he was scared of everything and always stuck very close by my side. Now he’s settled he goes to scent training classes, as it’s an activity he can do with little distraction and no other dogs around. He really loves this, and I can see it’s building his confidence.

Maki also has a very mischievous side, and his favourite thing to do is run upstairs and un-make my bed! He usually leaves one of his toys up there, which always gives him away. Having Maki by my side has massively boosted my mental health. He rescued me just as much as I rescued him.

Mackenzie is a treasured member of Aynslie’s family

Our beloved boy Mackenzie has given us so many precious memories. From jumping onto a stranger’s skateboard when we walked past a group of teenagers to running into a shop and stealing a bread roll, we’re alwayslaughing when he’s around.

We’re always laughing when he’s around

We have our ups and downs as a family, but Mackenzie is the glue that holds us all together. We’ll cherish our time with him forever.

Sophie was told Mildred would never be affectionate, but she’s gone on to defy everyone’s expectations

We got our Mildred from a Rescue home in Chobam around 11 years ago. She didn't have the best start to life, as she was mistreated quite badly as a puppy. We were told by the trainer that she would never be able to give us cuddles or love, as her upbringing had made it hard for her to trust humans.

We decided to give Millie a chance, as we knew we could give her the love she deserved. The first year or two was difficult, as we tried to train her and gain her trust. But we pulled through, and now she’s the most loving, loyal and caring dog.

She’s the most loving, loyal and caring dog

She truly is part of the family, and she’s even become a part-time therapy dog to us. She knows when anyone is feeling down or upset and will cuddle right up to us. She has these eyes that look right into you. But we have to make sure we have a little treat for her after – especially cheese!

For a dog that was never expected to show love, it’s extremely hard to get her out of our beds! She truly is the best. It just goes to show, if you give dogs a chance and offer them the love they deserve, they’ll be forever grateful.