Rhiannon had never really wanted a dog before, but her life is infinitely better now Tilly is in it

At 62 years old, I got my very first dog. I didn't know I liked dogs until I met little Tilly, my Toy Poodle.

I now never have a bad day

Tilly is my unconditionally loving companion, who has ensured I now never have a bad day. She sits on my bed every morning and eagerly waits for just one of my eyes to open. Then that is officially the start of happy time.

She faceplants me with licks and hugs me between her paws. Her zest for discovery, fun and nature has given me back my purpose in life.

Geraldine’s dog Lucy has a big personality – and she’s not afraid to let you know it!

Lucy is the happiest, cheekiest little pup there is. Although she has arthritis, she still loves to play and always keeps a teddy bear close by. In her prime she loved to chase cats around the garden, but now she’s older she enjoys just lying down and waiting for them to approach her. She’s also obsessed with cold things, and will sit and growl at her bowl of water if it reaches room temperature until we replace it!

Lucy is also the neighborhood watchdog

Initially, my son was uninterested in her, but now they’re best buddies. He gives any of his leftover food to her and she’s always more than willing to eat it. Lucy is also the neighborhood watchdog. Every night, she sits outside just watching the world go by and doing her part to protect us all.

Mickey was unlucky with his previous owners, but he’s found his forever home with Annamaria

Mickey didn’t have a great start in life. Not only was he abandoned by his first owner and kept at the shelter for 18 months, but when he was eventually adopted, he was returned after a few days for being too boisterous.

Mickey is very lively

Since we adopted him 10 years ago, we’ve found that Mickey is very lively and loves playtime, snacks and spending time with his human and doggy friends. He also enjoys walking, bringing us his favourite toys at any given moment and foraging for berries (and has an acquired taste for only picking the ripe ones!).

Lockdown has been tough on Barbara, but Jester’s love and personality are just what she needs to get through.

Jester is just three months old but has already made a big difference to my life. I was widowed suddenly last year and I am classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, so found the first lockdown very hard. My daughter and family did all they could but obviously cannot be here 24/7.

He has already made a big difference to my life

This lockdown is hard, but I have a purpose: woken at 6.30am, puppy training, regular meals, games and enforced rest whilst he sleeps – usually on me, given the chance!

He may not be able to talk but he cocks his head and listens, probably thinking ‘is she going mad?!’ Help in the garden involves digging, pulling trailing plants, collecting and dispersing fallen apples.

Sally was told Bob couldn’t survive his cancer, but now he’s seven years old and still thriving

Bob had to have one of his rear legs amputated at the age of three, following an osteosarcoma. He then underwent chemotherapy, and we were told that at best he would have 12-18 months. Bob didn’t hear that though. He is the most amazing dog with the most amazing zest for life.

He makes us laugh with his antics every day. On his daily walks with his mum, granny, great-uncle and nephew, he gambols like a lamb and throws himself down on the ground, rolling just for the fun of it.

He seems to know if we are down and will come and place his beautiful head on our laps, looking at us with his wonderful deep eyes. It’s as though he knows we helped him when he needed us and now, following my cancer diagnosis, he’s helping me, too.

He adores everyone he meets, and they adore him, often not noticing he only has three legs. He has been an inspiration to owners of other dogs with the same condition, some of whom have made it like him and others who haven’t. Life with Bob is a better life.

Life with Bob is a better life

Over the past five years, Liz has watched George transform from a naughty little puppy into the best dog she could ask for

George was the most mischievous pup ever. He was banned from two different dog training classes and the trainer refused to have him. He was also banned from our local pub for trying to bully the landlord’s dog. At home, he chewed through kitchen work tops, chair legs, cushions etc... I could go on.

Now, he’s the best boy ever. Our family wouldn’t be without him. At the age of five, he’s already blind in one eye, but it doesn’t hold him back. We just love him.

George was the most mischievous pup ever