I always refer to Missie as an angel sent from heaven, as she’s provided life-saving therapy for both my dad and me, throughout our mental health struggles.
Missie is the most loving dog I’ve ever known. She always wants to say hello to every human she meets, although she’s wary of other dogs. She’s such a family dog – wherever we are in the house she has to be there too, even the bathroom! She always likes to be touching a part of you to know you’re close. If she’s not on your lap, she’ll place a paw on your arm or her head on your feet.
Missie is the most loving dog I’ve ever known
Her favourite toy is her tennis ball, which is affectionately called ‘Ballie’ – we’ve actually been through multiple, but shh! Her favourite activity is playing fetch with it on the beach, but she also likes to take Ballie with her to bed and cuddle up with it.
I am beyond thankful for our loving, healing girl Missie, and I want to give her the biggest treat she deserves.
Treacle was found abandoned in the Bulgarian ski resort we were working at last winter. She was only about two months old, and not in the best condition. We took her in and nursed her back to health until she was strong enough to go outside and play in the snow. She grew into a happy, cheeky puppy who loved to spend time with us.
When the first lockdown happened, we were stuck in Bulgaria and couldn’t get home, so we found work on a campsite nearby. Treacle adored having us around all the time, and spent her days going on long walks and playing with the other dogs on the site.
She’s a major hit with all the guests
After a while, we managed to get a new job with a caravan park in the UK, and drove all the way through Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria, Germany and France with Treacle sleeping in the backseat. She was so well-behaved, charming every border control team we encountered and even waiting patiently when our van broke down.
Now we’re back in England, and Treacle loves her new countryside life. She likes to sit outside on the decking of our caravan and watch the world go by, or join us for a ride around the site in a golf buggy. She’s a major hit with all the guests too, and always manages to wrangle a treat out of them!
We’ve had Roscoe since he was 10 weeks old. He is a bundle of fun and trouble all rolled into one! He’s chewed pretty much everything in my house, but every time I look into his big, brown eyes I can’t stay angry for long.
A bundle of fun and trouble all rolled into one
Throughout lockdown he has kept our family entertained by learning new tricks and just being his happy self. If you’re sad, he comes over and sits on your lap to cheer you up, even though he’s a huge Labrador!
Roscoe is a ball of energy and jumps from the chair to the sofa doing zoomies, knocking over anything and everything in his path. He loves his ball and also enjoys going for a swim. Our dog is a hugely important member of our family, and everyone who meets him wants to keep him.
Just as my parents before me, we finally succumbed to my daughter’s persistent requests to get a puppy. A few months later we arrived home with Teddy, a 12-week-old Golden Retriever. I’ll admit, before Teddy I never would have classed myself as a dog-fanatic – but oh how my opinion has changed!
I'm 51 and have suffered with severe anxiety all my life, but Teddy’s smiling face and unconditional love have uplifted me beyond belief. I had could never have imagined the positive impact he’d have on my wellbeing, but he really has had a hugely profound impact on all of our lives.
Uplifted me beyond belief
Because of my anxiety, I tend to wake up very early every morning, which can be frustrating. But now that I have Teddy I’ve started using that time to get out for a walk in the woods, which always helps me to start the day in a better mood. Watching him bound around and explore with such energy and relentless enthusiasm just makes me so happy. He’s always so determined to catch a bird, but hasn’t yet grasped the fact that he can’t fly!
Before Teddy, I never truly understood what it meant when people referred to dogs as ‘man’s best friend’ – but now, I couldn’t be without him. Just looking at his smiling face fills me with joy and makes me feel optimistic about the day ahead.
I adopted Buzz Lightyear when he was a puppy. He has become an amazing therapy dog, who has helped improve my mental health. He has helped me with living on my own independently, and I couldn’t go a day without him by my side.
He has improved my life drastically
He loves a good run around, and if you throw a ball that’s his favourite thing to do. He loves the outside, and although it’s difficult for me to sometimes get about because of my MS, he relaxes my state of mind with that smile on his face.
He has improved my life drastically and I love him so much. I can live independently and do as I wish, as I know I have him to help me along the way. He is the best dog, always friendly, energetic, full of personality and there to cheer me up when I am not in a good place. I couldn’t wish for a better companion, I adore him. Whoever you are Buzz will always greet you with a smile — he is just one happy, loving dog.
Bonnie is a gorgeous, fun-loving and affectionate Cocker Spaniel. She is always wagging her tail, which never fails to cheer me up. We go for walksat least twice a day and she loves nothing more than chasing after a ball. She also does agility training once a week, and that’s helped me to get fitter.
Never fails to cheer me up
We take her on holiday with us, and this year we’re looking forward to going on a staycation where we can enjoy long and peaceful walks. We’ll also be joined by another little Cocker Spaniel called Bella. Bonnie has taken so well to the new pup, mothering her, and enjoying the odd game of tug of war with her new companion. She even washes Bella, and they always like to sleep curled up together. It’s so adorable!