Although it hasn’t always been easy, Emily adores Ruaridh and all the positivity he has brought into her life.

Little Ruaridh came into our lives only one month ago but the impact he has made has been substantial. Although extremely hard work, he has already made our little family happier and healthier in every way. From getting us up bright and early (5am!) to getting us out in the fresh air more – he really has improved our wellbeing.

He really has improved our wellbeing

He’s the greediest dog and the loves to explore the world through his mouth. The strangest thing he enjoyed eating was the binmen’s gloves after the binman tried to give him a cuddle.

As he grows, so do Ruaridh’s eyebrows and his long golden hair often glimmers in the sun. We love our little bundle of fluff and would love to spend some quality time away with him on his first holiday.

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.

Whether they’re out for walks or snuggling up at home, Sam’s puppy Lilly has been the light of her life for the past year

Ever since I got Lilly, my Spanish Water Dog puppy, she’s brought me lots of love, happiness and fun. In January this year, my beloved dog Zuky crossed the rainbow bridge at the old age of 15, but Lilly has been a wonderful companion. She checks up on me to make sure I’m OK, and she’s helping me cope with the huge loss in my heart.

When I went to see Lilly as a puppy, I entered the room and she came over, licked my face and snuggled up. They do say a puppy chooses their owner! Before I got her, my health was declining rapidly. Now I feel like a different person. Not only has she been excellent for my physical health, but she’s helped my confidence with meeting people – something I find difficult due to a neurological condition I have.

Lilly’s more than just a dog

Every day we go for a walk, come rain or shine. We have lots of fun walking in the countryside, and then in the evening, we relax watching our favourite nature documentaries with David Attenborough. She gets the zoomies every evening. And she has loads of different toys, but her favourite is my outdoor Crocs!

Lilly’s more than just a dog, she’s my world. She loves her life and has everything a young dog needs to remain happy and healthy. I couldn’t imagine life without her. She’s also doing really well with her training as I have lots of dog knowledge, so she’s a very good puppy. She’ll soon be at her teenage stage, which could be a challenge, but I’m ready for whatever comes our way.

Last year, Linda decided to adopt a deaf puppy as a companion for Tamia, and the pair have been best friends ever since

Tamia came to live with us just over two years ago. We love having her and she goes just about everywhere with us – camping, events, markets etc.

We always felt she was missing out on a doggy companion. Then last autumn, her breeder told us she had a deaf puppy and she needed to find the right home for him. When Tamia met him, they adored each other from the start.

They are both trained using sign language. They play, travel and are generally inseparable. She is his ears and looks out for him. When we need to recall him in the field, we ask her to find him, and she brings him back. They are the most beautiful pair, and she’s the best big sister a deaf pup could have.

She’s the best big sister a deaf pup could have

Alexandra knew that getting a dog might help her, but she could never have predicted how much joy and companionship Freddie would offer

Freddie has saved me. I suffer with anxiety and panic attacks, which got particularly bad last year. I knew getting a dog wouldn’t ‘fix’ me but I also knew that for some people, having a dog can be a source of comfort.

It’s safe to say Freddie has been my saviour – he truly lights up my world every single day. He’s got such a big personality that everyone always comments on how ‘human’ he is.

Freddie has been my saviour

Freddie likes to chat, so he’ll howl at me whenever I talk to him. Every morning and every time I come home after being out, he makes this cute little growl – I’m sure it’s his way of telling me he loves me.

Deb’s dog Mac may look like an old man, but he’s got the spirit of a young pup

Mac is my confidant. I have health issues and have had to retire because of them, but Mac keeps me going, even on my darkest days. It’s almost as though he can sense when things are really bad, because he’ll always give me lots of cuddles to cheer me up.

Mac keeps me going

Balls are his favourite toy, so he has a rather large collection. He also has a few quirky habits, like how he hates walking on the tiled floor and will refuse to come in unless I put his bed down for him, or how much he barks at the postman. Mac always waits until you’ve finished your food before he eats his, just in case you give him any extras!

As he’s getting old, he has a few health issues now, but as soon as you throw a ball, he turns into a young pup again. He does look like an old man with his bushy eyebrows and podgy tummy, but that just makes him all the more adorable.