The past year has been incredibly difficult for Theresa, but Bella’s been there for her every step of the way

Bella came to us at a very stressful and distressing time. At the end of October 2022, my late mum had a stroke, which sped up her dementia. A couple of weeks later, our dear dog of eight years lay down one night and left us. Whilst reeling from all this, mum and I were determined to share our home with another rescue dog.

As my mum's health deteriorated, Bella never left her side

This was when sweet, gentle Bella came into our lives. She’s a Greyhound cross and the most caring dog. As my mum's health deteriorated, Bella never left her side until she went to bed at night. After that, she would come to me.

Even when mum became totally bed-bound, Bella would sit next to her, close enough for mum to stroke her. Since mum passed, she still enjoys lying in her bedroom and spending the evenings with me.

Coco proved the perfect addition to Joanne’s family, especially for her son James

Coco was bought for my son James. James was an only child and Coco soon became his best friend. James looked after Coco and walked her everyday (I know kids always say they will then lose interest but James never did).

James really came out of his shell since getting Coco and became more confident. James started joining after school clubs and joined the Sea Cadets, and when he left school he joined the Royal Navy and is a serving sailor who has just been deployed for his first Christmas away.

Coco’s tail never stops wagging

Coco misses him very much when he goes, and needs lots of TLC. When James is home on leave they still share that special bond and Coco’s tail never stops wagging. Coco gave James the confidence to start to do things; he realised that he could take care of a dog and therefore he could do things he would never have tried.

For all Coco loves rolling in smelly things, barks at the wind and farts a lot, she is a big part of our family and helped to shape my sons teenage and early adult years.

Caroline couldn’t have asked for a kinder, more loving furry friend than her dog Gin

We got Gin during lockdown, and she injected some colour into my very grey life. She is so fun, sweet and kind, and truly doesn’t have a bad bone in her body

She injected some colour into my very grey life

When she was just 14 weeks old, I suffered from a broken knee which meant I had to spend a lot of time resting at home. Gin stayed so patiently by my side the whole time. We expected her to get bored and maybe even a bit naughty with all her unspent energy, but she was an absolute dream.

Now, Gin is seven months old and I’m fully mobile again, so we’re looking forward to lots of long, relaxing walks together.

After many years of working as a sheep dog for Lauren’s family, Toby is enjoying a well-earned retirement

Toby is a working sheep dog! He’s been the best dog we’ve had on our farm – no job was ever too big or too small for him. He has been my companion and best friend since I was two.

He has been my companion and best friend since I was two

Toby only retired from rounding up sheep and farm work around two years ago so has had a very long working life. He’s still going strong and now enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle just pottering around the farmyard. He’s a caring, gentle boy, and a big softy at heart. Plus, he knows how to pull at the heart strings to get his own way!

Blaze the bulldog was exactly what Chloe and her family needed after the loss of their previous dog

Blaze is a one-year-old Olde Tyme English bulldog. He’s such a funny character and brings joy to the entire family. When we first got him, he couldn't walk and had no use of his back legs so, once he had the all-clear from the vets that it wasn't neurological, we had to teach him to walk.

Despite still having weakness in his legs, Blaze bombs around the house, constantly getting into mischief. He loves to steal socks and shoes, or anything he's not meant to have and hide behind the couch with it. He’s also friendly with our elderly hamster.

He bombs around the house, constantly getting into mischief

Blaze comes everywhere with us, and we’ve recently come back from Crail, Scotland where he was a fan favourite. He comes swimming with us down the beach, and even has doggy swimming lessons.

After we lost our old dog, Bruno, at the age of 13, our lives felt empty without a dog and the house felt quiet. We were all mourning the loss of our best friend. Blaze has definitely filled a hole in our hearts – and our beds. He loves to have a good snooze!

Molly and Poppy are happy helpers for school chaplain Alison, and the pupils love them too

I have two border collie dogs: Poppy (who is 11years old) and Molly (8 months). Molly was a lockdown rescue pup when her owners bought her then decided not to have her! I am a Chaplain in a school and take both dogs in with me every day.

Poppy and Molly deserve a treat!

They are great pastoral assistants! Poppy is a big teddy bear who loves to be hugged, Molly is a mischief and allows some of our ‘naughtier’ children to relate to her! We’ve worked all the way through the lockdown and Poppy and Molly deserve a treat!