Over the years, Kenny has helped his owner Prudence through some of the most challenging times

Kenny is a joy. I got him as a puppy when I was 19 years old, and he has been a constant companion and support in my life ever since.

He’s brought me through so much

When I was 27, I lost my mum very suddenly and Kenny became my reason for carrying on. He’s brought me through so much and has always been full of character.

He was very unwell last year when I was heavily pregnant, and I was scared I was going to lose him, but thankfully, he pulled through and although he’s now very old, he’s still full of life! My baby might never remember him, but I’m so glad they’ve been able to meet one another.

Poppy is an important and treasured member of Vicki’s family. Life simply wouldn’t be the same without her

Poppy has been my little ray of sunshine through some pretty tough times. She never fails to make me smile, no matter what’s going on in my life. She is also the apple of my husband’s eye, and was a big part of our wedding – she wore her flower collar with pride and posed perfectly for all the photos!

She makes us laugh every day

We welcomed a baby into our lives in 2019, who has since become a typical toddler. He adores Poppy just as much as we do, and calls her his little ‘Poppy dog’. She really is the gentlest and most understanding dog I’ve ever known. Sadly, she’s battled with arthritis for many years now and has also ruptured her ligament, so we’ve had to swap her field-sprints for some slow and steady pram-walks, but I don’t think she minds too much.

She makes us laugh every day, particularly because she thinks we don’t know that she steals the cat’s biscuits the minute we go to bed – unfortunately for her, she’s clumsy and always knocks the big bowl over, which gives her away every time! Poppy is our crazy pup, always full of energy and ready to play, especially when there are bubbles and balloons involved. She is my constant companion and best friend.

Brave, loyal and the best teammate, Leri gives Katy a lot to be proud of

Lerihas recently retired from his role as a Protection Dog for the British Army. I first met him when he was two years old, after he had been postedto my unit fresh out of training. He was my first Military Working Dog and together, we guided each other through.

We guided each other through

We absolutely smashed our last licensing, and were awarded an advancedpass, something that has not been achieved in more than ten years at my unit. I have learnt so much from Leri and I’m honoured to have been able to take him home at the end of his service. I owe him all that life can give and I love him so much.He’s my big, slobbery, brave boy!

Georgina’s dog Sprocket has oodles of energy, and that’s exactly why she loves him so much

Sprocket is the best thing to ever have happened to our family. His endearing quirks never fail to put a smile on our faces. For instance, he always runs with his legs so straight he looks like a cartoon, and in the evening, he huffs and puffs very loudly before dramatically opening his pen, just to let us know he wants to go to bed.

He can sometimes be a bit of a diva

He’s a tiny bundle of energy and always ready to play. I wouldn’t say he’s spoilt, but he is well-loved and so always enjoys – and expects – a cuddle or two in our bed. He can sometimes be bit of a diva, and we often find ourselves having to pause the TV because he’s making a racket by digging around or barking because he wants to go out.

None of this really matters though, because our little pup is such a sweetheart. We love him for all of his funny habits and his adorable personality.

Katie and her family were struggling with Freddy’s behavioural issues until Frank the pug came into their lives

Six months ago, we rehomed Freddy, a five-month-old Husky cross. He was a kind, funny bundle of energy. A month or so after his arrival, we started to notice some strange behaviours. And, after months of back and forth with vets and behaviourists, it was established that Fred suffered from a stress disorder, verging on PTSD.

With lots of work, Fred has been improving day by day, but the one thing that didn’t change was his distress when other dogs walked away from him or didn’t interact.

I work closely with a rescue centre in my job. They asked if we’d try fostering as it would help us with Fred, while also helping an unwell pug who wasn’t happy in rescue. We went over with Fred and took them both for a walk in the forest. Frank, the pug, was pretty tolerant of Fred’s manic leaping and pawing – he just waggled his little bottom and carried on.

Instantly it was like they understood one another

Frank moved in and instantly it was like they understood one another. Frank was due to have BOAS surgery so his breathing was awful, and quite hard to listen to. Fred’s yelping in the car ended almost instantly and instead he would lean against the wall of Frank’s crate, and Frank would lean back onto him.

Fred is still erratic at times, but Frank has totally changed him and our famiy life. He’s 10 days post BOAS surgery now and is the happiest, most loving boy. As both are rescues, we cannot ever imagine how someone chose to abandon either of them.

I think it’s important for people to see that dogs which require more work are also more rewarding. Everything we achieve with Fred or Frank leaves us full of pride. The boys are the very best of friends and we’re so glad we took the leap into changing Frank from our foster dog to Fred’s big (or little) brother.

The two happiest, kindest, oddest pair of dogs in the world, but the best match!

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.