Christina wasn’t a big fan of dogs until she met Gizmo – now, she’s truly besotted!

Before getting my pup, Gizmo, I never really understood the whole dog thing. I wondered why are people so obsessed with their pets?

This completely changed when I met Gizmo. She’s my baby, my precious little puppy and my sweet, never-does-a-thing-wrong-in-her-life angel.

I love her with all my heart

If I could carry her around in a baby carrier on my chest, I would (without embarrassment or hesitation!). In fact, I have more than two thousand photos of her on my phone, and I spend more money on her diet and healthcare needs than I do my own.

I pull myself out of bed come rain or shine to take her for a walk each day. She gives me purpose, she makes me happy, and I love her with all my heart!

The moment Cleo appeared in Heather’s life, she changed it for the better

Cleo arrived on my doorstep as her owner had become ill and couldn’t keep her. She was referred to as ‘number five’, because she was the fifth dog in the house. It didn’t take long before she made friends with all the others and became a member of our family.

She’s helped me make new friends

She was so caring and spent a lot of time with my lodger, who was unwell.Cleo encouraged him to get out, and the pair of them would go for gentle walks together. Now, she walks with me every day when I go litter picking down by the river. Everyone we meet stops to talk to her, so she’s helped me make new friends, which I’ve especially appreciated throughout the last year.

Life isn’t always easy for Rachel, but Brewster does everything he can to make each day a little better

Brewster is a rescue dog, but I think he’s saved me just as much as I saved him. I have severe endometriosis which causes me a lot of pain and I can sometimes feel very low. Brewster has only lived with me for a short while, but we already have such a strong bond, and he's changed my life immeasurably.

He loves exploring outside and has learned how to walk nicely on his lead. I'm so proud of him. Keeping active is good for me too, and I can already feel my health and mood improving because of our daily adventures.

I can already feel my health and mood improving

Brewster is such a perceptive boy and can always tell if I'm having a difficult day. He loves to play and can be quite boisterous, but when I'm feeling low, he's so gentle and will just come and rest his head on my leg or put his front paw over my hand. He lives for cuddles and adores having his face stroked.

I work from home, and Brewster likes to lie on the floor and keep my feet warm – which is always very welcome on those wet and cold days! My dog has had such a huge impact on my life in such a short space of time. He's loving, friendly and fun and I feel like the luckiest dog mum in the world.

Catherine and her family were told they wouldn’t ever be able to train Lola, but she went on to defy everyone’s expectations

Lola is the light in the family. She greets you with cuddles and barks when you walk in the door like you’ve not seen her for 10 years.

If you’re having a bad day, she cheers you up. She always knows when something’s wrong. And even when she’s been for a four-mile walk, the squeaky toys come out as soon as she gets home.

Lola is a rescue dog, and we were told we wouldn’t be able to train her or walk her off-lead. Now she always walks without a lead, sits at the curb before crossing and stops on the country lane when she hears a car.

She always knows when something’s wrong

Donna adores how kind and attentive her dog Milo is, especially towards her daughter and grandmother

Milo is such a happy soul who makes everyone smile. He helped my daughter through a tough time at school and he also assists me in caring for my elderly grandmother. He’s so slow and gentle around her, and my gran adores him so much she even spoon feeds him!

Milo knows the sound of the ice cream van

As a dog who loves his food, Milo knows the sound of the ice cream van and will sit and wait for it to come round. He also visits the local coffee shop and manages to charm the staff into giving him sausages! Milo is such a loving and good-natured dog, and we would never be without him.

Nicola gives Boo the best life possible, and in return, Boo showers her with affection

We saw an advert for Boo online when she was just four months old, and went to have a look at her. We fell in love with her straight away and welcomed her into our home.

At first she was really scared, and it was clear she had never been played with or cuddled. It wasn’t long before we taught her how good life can be and started to earn her trust. Now, she loves playing in the mud and chasing squirrels.

She has changed our lives

In lockdown, I was taking Boo on lots of walks, which inspired me to start a recall course and become a dog trainer. Now my business is going from strength to strength, all thanks to Boo. She has changed our lives for the better.

Boo has so many quirks that make us all laugh, like the way she sneaks into my bed every night. She really is the cutest dog you could ever ask for!