Whether he’s snoring, licking or running, Rocco brings love and laughter to Claire and her family

If you've ever wondered what it's like to have a tiny, snorting bundle of joy glued to your side, let me introduce you to Rocco, our French Bulldog. We rescued him during the pandemic over three years ago, and life hasn't been the same since – in the best way possible, of course.

Rocco is like a little furry therapist, minus the fees. He's got this knack for making even the dreariest days bright with his quirky habits and boundless affection. Take his snoring, for example. Some might find it annoying, but to me, it's like a white noise machine with a heartbeat. There's something oddly comforting about knowing he's snoozing away nearby, dreaming of fields and footballs.

Ah, the footballs. You should see him in action! For a dog with legs as short as his, Rocco can sprint across a field like he's auditioning for the next World Cup. He chases that ball with a passion that could put any professional footballer to shame. And when he's not being an athletic superstar, he's a world-class cuddler. Whether I'm watching TV, working on my laptop, or just sitting on the couch, Rocco is right there, either at my feet or attempting to lick my legs like they're a five-star meal.

If you ever need a reminder that love can transform, just spend a day with Rocco

Rocco's past wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. He wasn't treated well in his last home, which makes his love and trust even more special. He's come to adore his new family life with us – my husband Mark, our two boys Finlay and Ted, and his sausage dog brother, River. Yes, that's right, Rocco has a sausage dog brother. Together, they form the dynamic duo of cuteness and chaos.

One of Rocco's favourite activities is heading to the beach. Picture this: a French Bulldog running through the sand, ears flopping, tail wagging, pure joy on his face. It's a sight that never fails to make us laugh. And when we're all together, away in our caravan, Rocco's happiness reaches new heights. He loves being surrounded by his people, and his contentment is contagious.

In short, Rocco is more than just a pet; he's a positive influence, a constant companion, and a source of endless entertainment. From his snoring symphonies to his enthusiastic leg-licking, Rocco has brought immeasurable joy into our lives. And if you ever need a reminder that love can transform, just spend a day with Rocco. He'll show you how it's done, one wag and one snore at a time.

Katie knows how special her dog Koko is, and everyone that meets her can’t help but agree

I got my dog Koko when she was just six months old. She settled in straight away, and even though she had never been around children, she was absolutely amazing with my three right from the start.

Koko has a lovely temperament, she’s so calm and chilled that I really feel as though I have the perfect dog. When I first got her, I was able to spend pretty much all day keeping her company, since we were in lockdown at the time. After I went back to work, I was worried she wouldn’t adjust, but she took it all in her stride.

She behaves just like a cat

One of the funniest things about Koko is that she behaves just like a cat. She sleeps a lot and loves lazing around, so she’ll only go on a walk if you make her. I think she’d rather stay curled up on the comfy sofa all day long. When we do get out of the house, people always make a fuss of her because she’s so striking – you don’t see many Japanese Shiba Inus around here.

Koko also has a penchant for toffee popcorn, which is rather unusual for a dog. Her previous owners told us this and we were sceptical, but if you open a bag in another room she always comes running straight in!

Tessa didn’t adopt Misto in the conventional way – but the pair were meant to find each other, and Misto has helped Tessa to live the dolce vita ever since.

Misto is such a special dog, and he appeared in my life when I was really struggling. My mum had died a few months before and my daughter had moved out, leaving me quite lonely and down.

I went on holiday to Sicily with my niece, staying in a remote spot and one day Misto just appeared! He took a shine to me (and me to him!) and would fine me every day, curling up beside me wherever I was. It felt like my mum had sent him to me, and so we named him Misto in her memory - her favourite greyhound was a brindle called misty, so we ‘italianised’ the name to Misto - which is fitting, as in Italian it means ‘mixed’!

In Italian it means mixed

When I asked hotel staff about him they said he was just a stray - they’d had quite a few pups and various Italian visitors had adopted them but he was the last one.  I asked about the possibility of me adopting him, and they put me in contact with an Italian woman who takes in strays and finds homes for them - not usually as far away as England though

Communicating largely through google translate, we arranged for her to take him in. She kept him for about six weeks, got all his jabs, pet passport and arranged his flight over, and he finally arrived at Heathrow in December 2016.

He brings unimaginable joy to my life. I live by the sea and we both love walks and runs on the beach - which is where the photo was taken.

Whether Pickle’s chasing, cuddling or finishing ice creams, owner Stephanie finds she’s always a pleasure to be around

We’ve had Pickle since she was two years old, when another family decided they no longer wanted her.

Our youngest daughter had been suffering from mental health issues for several years and persuaded us that a therapy dog would really help her move forward in a positive way.

She brings great joy to our lives

In actual fact, Pickle has been a blessing to the entire family. From daily dog walks, chasing squirrels and learning new tricks, to constant cuddles, making us smile and finishing our ice creams, she brings great joy to our lives.

Pickle has saved our family and helped us navigate difficult times. We cannot imagine life without our gorgeous furry friend, and we love her to the moon and back.

Otty may be a fluffy whirlwind of chaos, but that’s why Lyn loves him so much

Otty is nicknamed ‘the destructor’ because he’s just so clumsy. If he’s not knocking something over with his wagging tail, he’s slipping and sliding onthe wooden floor. He always gives me such a funny look afterwards, almost as though he finds himself as hilarious as I do!

He’s just so clumsy

Otty is also a stock-stealer, and our garden has become a graveyard for all of his buried treasure. He may be a big, fluffy disaster, but I wouldn’t have him any other way.

Niki adores her kind, caring and hilarious dog Lottie, who never fails to make her smile

Our pooch Lottie has got bucket loads of character. Whenever anyone comes round to visit, she automatically thinks they’re there to see her andgets her toys out to show off!

She’d just lie there with me

When I was off work a couple of years ago, she never left my side. I’d spend all day resting on the sofa and she’d just lie there with me. Lottie has three feline companions who she adores, and regularly tries to round up as though they’re hers to look after.