Spot’s energy and silliness are an endless source of fun and laughter for Jackie and her family

Spot is the goofiest, most in-your-face boy dog you could ever meet. He has a lovely teddy bear face with a big black nose and a brown spot on his head, which is how he got his name.

He’s the most in-your-face boy dog you could ever meet

He’s generous with his kisses, and his drool if he sees any food. When he runs, he does this funny little skip and wiggles his bum. He's also very, very clever but not always in a good way (don’t ask me about the bar of chocolate and the huge vet bill!).

He constantly amuses us with his futile attempts at catching the pigeons, who torment him from the top of the fence. And he has selective hearing. Spot is Spot and we love him to bits!

Despite being adamant he didn’t want a dog, Gordon fell in love with Arthur at first sight

Although other people’s dogs didn’t bother me, I never planned to have my own. But my daughter wanted a dachshund, so I agreed to get one after a job change.

When my wife and daughter brought Arthur home as an eight-week-old pup, they immediately fell in love. With eyes to die for and a charming and bubbly personality, it took me just a few minutes to feel the exact same way about him.

We can’t imagine ever being without him

I was shocked at my sudden transformation. From sleeping inside my fleece to joining me on my motorcycle, Arthur came with me everywhere. He even started sleeping with us in bed! And the rest is history.

Five years on, Arthur still sleeps in my fleece and is as beautiful and stubborn as ever. We also have five dachshunds now, so he sparked a complete change in our lifestyle – and I love every second of it. We can’t imagine ever being without him.

Katie and her family were struggling with Freddy’s behavioural issues until Frank the pug came into their lives

Six months ago, we rehomed Freddy, a five-month-old Husky cross. He was a kind, funny bundle of energy. A month or so after his arrival, we started to notice some strange behaviours. And, after months of back and forth with vets and behaviourists, it was established that Fred suffered from a stress disorder, verging on PTSD.

With lots of work, Fred has been improving day by day, but the one thing that didn’t change was his distress when other dogs walked away from him or didn’t interact.

I work closely with a rescue centre in my job. They asked if we’d try fostering as it would help us with Fred, while also helping an unwell pug who wasn’t happy in rescue. We went over with Fred and took them both for a walk in the forest. Frank, the pug, was pretty tolerant of Fred’s manic leaping and pawing – he just waggled his little bottom and carried on.

Instantly it was like they understood one another

Frank moved in and instantly it was like they understood one another. Frank was due to have BOAS surgery so his breathing was awful, and quite hard to listen to. Fred’s yelping in the car ended almost instantly and instead he would lean against the wall of Frank’s crate, and Frank would lean back onto him.

Fred is still erratic at times, but Frank has totally changed him and our famiy life. He’s 10 days post BOAS surgery now and is the happiest, most loving boy. As both are rescues, we cannot ever imagine how someone chose to abandon either of them.

I think it’s important for people to see that dogs which require more work are also more rewarding. Everything we achieve with Fred or Frank leaves us full of pride. The boys are the very best of friends and we’re so glad we took the leap into changing Frank from our foster dog to Fred’s big (or little) brother.

The two happiest, kindest, oddest pair of dogs in the world, but the best match!

Suzanne and her faithful rescue dog Morgan have an amazing bond

Morgan is from the local rescue centre, but I’m not sure if I rescued him or he rescued me!

With just one look, we made an instant connection at the centre, which was only one month after I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Since then, he’s faithfully been by my side.

Each morning, he nudges me with his nose when it’s time for me to get up, waiting patiently while I struggle to get moving due to stiffness and pain. He carries my socks downstairs from the bedroom and helps me load the washing machine, keeping watch as I load it and spinning round once the task is complete.

Thank you for being my special friend

He loves the pop-up toaster and yelps with excitement to let me know when the toast is ready, but his favourite part of the day is his walk, which he encourages me to do regularly. I feel so much better after seeing him run so freely with his friend Jessie. He brings me great joy.

Finally, after his tea and when it’s time for bed, he pushes the recliner chair footrest in for me and off we go to bed. He curls up next to me making me feel contented and safe.

Thank you, Morgan, for being you and for being my special friend.

Marion’s dogs inspired her to start a Facebook group encouraging dog owners to pick up litter – an idea which eventually evolved into the Paws on Plastic charity

My dog was a huge source of comfort when I was on long-term sick leave from my job as a primary teacher nearly four years ago. I suffered complications after having shingles and had no idea when I’d get better.

But Paddy forced me out in the fresh air and it lifted my mood. I’d been teaching Eco subjects and my dogs have always loved a plastic bottle, which is why I started noticing and picking up more litter on our walks.

Eventually, I formed a Facebook group – Paws on Plastic – and added everyone I knew who had dogs, encouraging them to pick up a few pieces of litter on their dog walks every day and share a photo of their dog. More people joined as friends were added and I started posting in other groups. It became a lovely, supportive community that really gave me a focus and extra support at a time when I really struggled.

I started this huge campaign that removes over 30 million pieces of litter every year

The group grew to over 21,000 members with followers in over 70 countries worldwide across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We became a charity in September 2021.

I never made it back to the classroom, but I started this huge campaign that removes well over 30 million pieces of litter every year, saving lots of animals from harm and preventing plastic from entering the sea. I’m extremely grateful to my dog Paddy, my other dog Ted who joined us in 2019 and my original bottle-loving dog, Murphy, who we lost in 2015.

Paddy and Ted are gorgeous fox red Labradors. They are extremely friendly and loving, and completely inseparable. Ted is epileptic and Paddy is extremely protective of him. He adored him from the minute he arrived and is so patient with him. Ted is extremely clingy with me, always glued to my side. He’s a really sweet dog.

Sprocket quickly became a treasured member of Carla’s family

Sprocket is our first dog. It took us a while to decide whether getting a dog was for us, but it was without a doubt the best decision we have ever made as a family. Sprocket is such a lovely boy – he's a working Cocker Spaniel so is full of energy and enthusiasm for life. He has a wonderful, sweet temperament and wouldn't hurt a fly. He loves his walks and taking him out in the countryside is an absolute joy.

He joins in with everything we do

As we’ve never had a dog before, we didn't realise just how much they become a part of your family. Sprocket plays a huge role in all our lives, and we couldn't bear to be without him. He joins in with everything we do,from kayaking to camping. He is very funny and has mad moments where he zooms around the house. He also likes to do his ‘happy howl’, which wethink is him telling us how much he’s enjoying life.