Despite Roxy’s health problems, Sarah feels fortunate to have her in her life

We bought Roxy from a farm while we were on holiday in Llandudno, Wales. I was buying a drink, and an old collie came up to greet me. I told the farmer how lovely he was, and he responded with: “Do you want a puppy?”

The rest is history.

Roxy’s had a difficult time with her health. Five years ago, she developed epilepsy. The first time we saw her having a seizure was heartbreaking – being unable to help feels terrible. The worst part is that afterwards, for a short while, she’s really scared and doesn’t know who we are. Then, it’s like a switch is flicked and she comes running to us crying.

Roxy is so loving

She’s now on two different types of medication, and although her seizures aren’t quite under control yet, she still copes well.

Roxy is so loving and is always happy to see us. She hops on the sofa whenever anyone sits down and snuggles into them. She’s very tolerant, too. For instance, since we’ve had her we’ve got two cats, two house rabbits and a tortoise. She’s accepted every one of them into her home and they all follow her around as if she’s their mum – even the tortoise!

In the absence of sheep, she loves to chase a ball. I think she sees it as her job. She also has the softest head to stroke!

All in all, she’s amazing and we’re incredibly lucky to have her.

Life isn’t easy for Nicola or her dog Poppy, but they both know that thanks to their friendship, they can overcome anything.

I have suffered from anxiety and depression since my twenties, which can be quite tough. But as soon as I got Poppy, she helped me to start living my life to the full. Every morning, she gets me up and forces me to enjoy some fresh air, which is a great way to start the day.

She’s always happy to see me

I don’t have many friends, but with Poppy by my side I’m more than happy to spend a Saturday night on my own! She’s always so happy to see me and makes me laugh with her quirky ways. She is obsessed with tennis balls, likes to chase squirrels (but has never managed to catch one!) and enjoys nothing better than snuggling in my duvet.

She’s been diagnosed with scoliosis in her back, which means she will eventually become paralysed. But thanks to her medication she’s doing really well and continues to soldier on every day.

Poppy has been a constant companion for me, as I am for her. She is my whole world.

Thanks to her dog Alfie’s unconditional love and support, Debra knows she can face even the hardest of days

Alfie the Springer Spaniel is my best friend. He loves nothing more than spending time outdoors and so we spend hours exploring forests and nature trails together. He also enjoys snuggling and snoozing, and most evenings you can find him curled up on my daughter’s bed – she’s the family member that spoils him most!

Alfie always knows how to brighten my day

He is such a well-behaved dog. Recently, I was diagnosed with a visual impairment and started to struggle both physically and mentally. Luckily for me, Alfie always knows exactly how to brighten my day – it’s almost as if he can sense that I’m having problems with my sight. He sticks closely by my side no matter where I go and always likes to make sure I’m not left alone to struggle. He is my very own adorable hero.

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.

Peanut the Pomeranian suffered from health issues due to his tiny size, but that hasn’t stopped him from keeping Julii on her toes with his antics

Peanut is a Pomeranian who was imported in early 2019, and seized at Dover as he was suspected of being underage and was very poorly, weighing just 0.7kg.

He went to Dogs Trust and received veterinary care, but his importer decided not to claim him, so he was put up for adoption. We went to meet him and decided to adopt him. But two days before I was due to collect him, he collapsed and was found having a seizure in his kennel.

He likes to practice Parkour whenever he sees a chance

He then spent several weeks at vets across Kent where he was tested for everything and finally diagnosed with Toy Dog hypoglycaemia. We fostered him and eventually signed the adoption papers in April 2019.

Peanut is tiny. He weighs 2.6kg, has a massive coat and likes to practice Parkour whenever he sees a chance. He’s already had to go to the emergency vets following a fall from a windowsill and a coffee table (twice!).

He is cheeky and a proper handful to train. He flies at the TV if they dare to put an animal on it and he is very high maintenance. But he is also very loving, he likes to be read a story (he tends to join in with his own comments!) and he has a wicked sense of humour. I can’t imagine life without him.

Whether he’s playing with her niece and nephew or checking in on her mum, Riley is loved by everyone in Lisa’s family

Riley is my best friend, and the most loveable, funny dog you could wish to meet. We brought him home when he was a tiny puppy to make sure he would be comfortable with my young niece and nephew.

He's so attentive and caring. He loves other dogs and people, especially my now eight-year-old niece and six-year-old nephew. We walk every day, which I need to do as I’ve had back problems for more than 20 years, and it keeps me moving.

He’s the most loveable, funny dog you could wish to meet

Riley waits at the window for me to come home from work and always lets me know when it's time for his walk. We often visit my mum, who lives a few minutes away, and he pops in to check the house is okay when we get there.

He’s struggled with allergies since he was a baby. They’ve made him quite ill at times, but he’s never let that get him down and he's always up for an adventure. After lots of tests, we now know what to avoid to keep him happy and healthy.