Monty has been there for Emily on good days and bad, and now he’s doing the same for her new baby

We’ve had Monty the Springer Spaniel for 2.5 years. We’ve always had dogs as children and felt our home wasn’t complete without one of our own.

As a pup, he was a bit of a terror, but he certainly kept us entertained as we went into lockdown. He was such a legend whilst we completed the extension on our home. He took having his house turned upside down and living in a building site all in his stride.

He always knows when I’ve had bad days

I work for the ambulance service, and he always knows when I’ve had bad days. His usual bumpiness settles, and he’ll allow me to cuddle into him and cry if needed. But he’ll never let me wallow in sadness for too long – he’ll always do something silly to make me laugh. Our long walks also help clear my head.

Three months ago, we brought home our baby girl. We were slightly dubious of how Monty would react to no longer being the centre of attention, but he has stepped up to being the best big brother. He is protective of the baby and will always look at me for reassurance if someone else is holding her. If she cries, he is always the first to her side to check she is okay. Monty truly is the best dog.

Even when the sun isn’t shining, life seems a little brighter when Julia sees Mango clowning around.

Mango has made life in lockdown so much more enjoyable. She loves playing in the garden and is a very fast runner! When there is hot weather, Mango loves jumping around in the water from the hose. She also loves playing with ice cubes filled with treats.

She has been such a loving companion while we work from home

We love her cute snoring and clown-like behaviour. She has been such a loving companion while we work from home. She loves nothing more than playing with other dogs, her food (which she munches down in seconds!) and playing with squeaky toys. We love you Mango – you might be a bit of a clown, but we wouldn’t change a thing!

Ayda is always by Alyson’s side, whether she’s heading to work or healing from an injury

Ayda is an ex-racing Greyhound. During the first COVID lockdown, when there was no Greyhound racing, her trainer put her up for adoption with a local rescue. From the minute I saw her, I knew she was coming home with us.

From the minute I saw her, I knew she was coming home with us

She’s the most gentle dog. I take her to the care home where I work, and everyone loves her. I also volunteer for the small rescue who rehomed her. We stand outside supermarkets raising much-needed funds for them.

Ayda loves people and she’ll draw you in with her eyes, then she’ll lean on you with all her weight. Recently I broke my ankle, and I don't know how I would have coped without her. During the day, she was my only company – and a good listener, too. She means the world to me. She's my best friend and a truly amazing dog.

After a tough start in life, Bailey is enjoying lazing away his days with Paul and his partner

Master Bailey is such a delightful part of our small family. He’s a Patterdale/Jack Russell mix, or Patterjack for short. He can be extremely lazy when he wants to be, and loves to play with his chews but will not have anything to do with a ball. He used to have a favourite soft toy that he took everywhere with him when he was younger. It was just a little too big for him, but he still loved it.

Bailey loves his sleep – he would sleep for 14 hours a day if you didn't persuade him to get up. He loves to walk but rarely runs unless there's a chew thrown or another dog comes trotting by, especially if it’s a female. He's a bit of a ladies’ dog. He's also very observant and can be loud when he wants to be, particularly when it comes to strangers.

I love him with all my heart, and he knows it

Bailey had a harsh upbringing. The people who owned him didn't respect him and confined him to a cat carrier, instead of a crate. He didn't have any room to turn around and they said he was uncontrollable, which is why they kept him in very crammed conditions.

He was abused and taken up the yard and blasted with a water hose. Now, he hates violence and barks uncontrollably for it to stop, as he saw a lot of it before he came to us. But he's very loyal to me and his dad. I love him with all my heart, and he knows it.

Billy has been a huge source of support for Patricia while her husband has been suffering from dementia

Billy is a rescue. He’s very special, as he rescued me, too. He was 14 months old when I got him, and he was three and a half kilos underweight, as he'd been kept in a cage with no exercise. He was a scared boy, but he soon came to trust me enough for me to train him.

He’s a clever Border Collie and picked things up very quickly. My husband, Tony, has dementia. And when he was still living at home, he couldn’t be left alone. So, when the carer came for an hour or so to get Tony ready for the day, Billy and I would escape to Woodbury Common, our happy place, and walk away our cares!

I really don’t know how I would have coped without him

Tony is now in a nursing home, and Billy and I visit him regularly. Billy has a routine – when he arrives, he goes to each resident in turn for them to give him a stroke, and he gives them his love in return. He’s always done this, right from day one. On the first day we visited, I let him off the lead and he went straight to the first wheelchair, sat beside it and lay his head very gently on the resident's lap.

I really don’t know how I would have coped with the stress of having a partner with dementia if I had not had my boy, Bill. Not only does he give me his unconditional love, but he also gives the same to Tony and his fellow residents, too. Billy is definitely my hero.

Theo has a very special way of bringing reassurance and joy to Janine’s life

Theo, our beloved rescue dog, has had a tremendously positive influence on our lives. From the moment we brought him home, he’s been a calming presence – always ready to offer comfort and snuggles.

With his big, cuddly frame and friendly demeanour, Theo has a way of easing any stress or anxiety I might be feeling after a long day. After all, who doesn't love doggy tail wags and hugs?

One of Theo's favourite quirks is playing ‘go find’ with treats. He loves using his keen sense of smell to track down hidden goodies, and his excitement when he finds them is contagious. Watching him sniff around and wag his tail in anticipation always brings a smile to my face.

Theo's presence in my life has been a true blessing

As well as this, Theo is a smart and eager learner when it comes to tricks. He can speak on command, play dead, and even give me his paw with just a simple gesture.

I love seeing him jump through long grass like a kangaroo. His joy is evident as he bounds through the tall blades, popping up his big head now and again in the sun!

Overall, Theo's presence in my life has been a true blessing. His calming nature, playful quirks, and boundless love have brought so much joy and positivity into my world. I am grateful every day for my sweet, loyal, and endlessly entertaining best friend, Theo.