Ruth’s dog Lazlo has helped to bring her family even closer together

When Lazlo came into our life, we had not long adopted our children. He helped them to understand that we were their forever family.

A while later, when I temporarily lost sight in one eye, Lazlo was my loyal companion. He guided me until I was better, always looking out for me to make sure I was ok. He’s such a calming influence and adapts so well to any situation.

Lazlo was my loyal companion

He fits in perfectly with our family and looks after his furry companions as much as his human ones. He has two sister cats, Flossie and Raven, two house rabbits called Harley and Quinn, and this year, he even got a new sister puppy, Lyra.

Lazlo is so protective of us all that he can sometimes get quite ‘barky’ when anyone new approaches us. He may be a dog, but he’s got the heart of a lion!

Poppy the cockapoo and her owner Victoria share such a special bond

Poppy is a puppy farm rescue dog with a lot of physical and behavioural issues. Although she’s a bit crackers, that’s what makes us best friends. She’s the best secret keeper, hill walker and sofa snuggler on cold winter days – I’m so grateful to have her in my life.

Poppy never judges me. She just listens and loves me unconditionally

From injuries, surgeries and sickness to friendships, relationships, new jobs, holidays, and adventures, we’ve been through so much together. Poppy never judges me. She just listens and loves me unconditionally, and I love her more than I ever realised was possible – I don’t know where I’d be without her.

From looking after his health to making him laugh, Frank the Dachshund is James’s best pal

Frank is such a character. He absolutely loves cuddles. Being a Dachshund, he can usually be found snuggling under a blanket, or wrapped up in a cardigan all cosy and warm. He constantly tries to 'burrow' under the duvet if he’s on the bed.

He’ll appear in the doorway as if by magic

He also loves food, and his favourites includes eggs, toast and bananas. Frank can sense when one of us is eating a banana without him. Once youstart peeling, he’ll appear in the doorway as if by magic, ready for a bite!

I suffer from seizures, and Frank always senses when I am having one andwill not leave my side until I have recovered. He’s a firm part of our family

Demelza can’t imagine her life without Barney, her adorable dog who goes everywhere with her

Barney is my best friend and brings me joy every single day. I love our daily walks, and since having children, they’ve become even more valuable. Not only does it get us all out enjoying the fresh air, but walking Barney helps me to escape from everything and simply be in the moment.

I always enjoy watching him when he goes swimming (he snorts like a pig while paddling), and when he’s hunting for sticks it’s as though he’s having the time of his life.

As though he’s having the time of his life

After each swim, I put Barney in the car, so he warms up, and I dry his ears. He goes into a happy trance, then it’s a treat and home. He’s such a loyal companion and always joins my son and I for nap time – they even sleep side by side!

Barney was my best dog at my wedding, and I take him everywhere he’s allowed, including shops and restaurants. I honestly can’t imagine life without Barney, he is always here for me, and his daily antics never fail to make me laugh.

Whether she’s demanding cuddles or knocking things over, Willa always makes Gillian and her family laugh with her silly personality

Willa is a daft German Shorthaired Pointer. She loves to walk and scent chase. You hardly see her on a walk but one whistle and she's back in a second – unless something requires her urgent attention!

In the house, she’s a massive lap dog. She wants cuddles and covers even when it's 28° outside. She runs a tight ship too: breakfast at 8am prompt, lunchtime snack at 12 exactly, dinner at 5pm and supper at 9pm on the button. We joke that she is a dictator. This is her life and you’re privileged to be a part of it, thank you very much!

She always makes us laugh with her silly antics

She always makes us laugh with her silly antics. Her nickname is doof-dog because she 'doofs' things with her nose and knocks them over. When you’re in the bath. the deodorant often ends up in with you! She also has a weird obsession with metal and likes to chew coins. She won’t eat them; she’ll just faff about with them in her mouth.

Willa has always been a goof and that's why we love her so much. There is never a dull moment.

Kareen admires the way her dog Vizsla always stays positive, no matter what life throws at him

Dudley is a Hungarian Vizsla who was born with a deformed front leg. By the time he arrived at the rescue centre it couldn’t be corrected, and so he underwent amputation surgery at just ten weeks old. I decided to foster him on the night of his surgery and subsequently adopted him permanently

Always shows his loving, caring and empathetic side

We knew this lad was special, but he has really shone during lockdown. Last year, we had to shield to protect our son Jack who has Downs Syndrome and is waiting for a new heart valve. Our crazy, rambunctious pup always shows his loving, caring and empathic side whenever he's withhis best friend Jack, but he stayed especially close to him during this tough time.

Dudley’s antics make us laugh and his cuddles warm our hearts. He’s helped us to stay positive and has fast become the centre of our family.