Tell us what your pets mean to you - for a chance to win a Fitbit Alta plus a copy of Finding Gobi. Now closed.

Pets show children unconditional love and children respond so well to looking after and caring for their pets.
We had a rabbit that my sons cared for and loved so much. It taught them love and respect

My pets are part of the spirit of our home, without them it lacks soul.

Pets mean absolutely everything to me, they are basically a part of the family. I would hate to be without any of them

My dog means the world to me! I love her so much! she is almost like a baby to me x

My Giant African Land Snail Maui is awesome, I've been struggling with anxiety and watching him chills me out and we also have a very similar running technique x

My cat is better than all the other cats. He's a ginger cracker. We had many pets growing up and I used to dream of running a cattery in the country somewhere.
Obviously, I live in a flat in London now. My cat has adapted and is loyal and loving.
He would never eat me.

Our family pets mean my rough and tumble boy has learned how to be really gentle. He is really thoughtful always wondering what new toy or food they would prefer. Family pets be them fish, dogs, snails or cats are so important teaching responsibility and kindness.

My dogs mean the absolute world to me, I love and care for them immensely I never shirk from taking them out no matter what the weather is doing. When you have animals you are never lonely, the love is unconditional.

This is Stella. This 3kg cat was my only companion when I was very ill and near suicidal with depression. I had a high stress job in the emergency services and was working myself into the ground.

Having Stella at home gave me a reason to get out of bed on my days off to play with her instead of sleeping 23 hours a day. She gave me a reason not to work double shifts, as she needed to be fed and have company.

When I was especially unwell, she was a great comfort. When I was better and practicing for a promotion interview, she listened to me reciting the law over and over!

This tiny cat has been a godsend, and has been such a wonderful gift to me. She 12 now and is starting to slow down a touch, but still rules the roost!

My dog is one of my best mates. She gives me the motivation to go out every day. Watching her run when we go to the woods/park/quarry/beach makes me smile on my darkest days. I need to move my body even though each step can be painful. When I call her back & she runs to me (looking like she's grinning) makes me feel loved. She senses when I really shouldn't move though & sits on me & wont budge (she's a better judge on my health than I am). She lies outside my you gears bedroom when she has nightmares. She helps my eldest burn off her energy by playing and middle child always has a floppy ear to whisper her pre-teen hormones to. She's completed our family.
Keep an eye on your pork pie if she's around though

I'm going to tell you about our first cat, who was brought home by my now-DH when we'd just moved in together because someone at work had told him they were returning their cat to the cat's shelter they'd rescued it from, because it "didn't like children or men". I didn't really want a cat, but he was a beautiful black and white fellow who hid behind the sofa in our small flat for a good day or so before coming out of his shell and totally taking over.

He became the cat who'd fuss my DH constantly, so much for his man-hating ways. He charmed everyone- our neighbours (various, including chain-smoking downstairs old lady who he'd hang out with in the day before returning at night reeking of fags, only ending when he developed an asthmatic wheeze and we had to put a stop to the full-time friendship in favour of his health); my grandmother, when we'd take him to visit over the Christmas holidays she'd dote on him, once carrying him back from the shed down the garden where he'd most likely been happily ratting "in case he was lost" on her somewhat frail 88 year old legs; and every toddler who ever passed through our house - he would seek them out to be petted and pulled and carried floppily in arms.

If our children were playing outside he would "guard" them, like a dog, never straying far from them and seeing off any other cat that appeared. He was extremely vocal, and a big hunter - but we forgave him.

Not at all a lap cat until he aged, he all of a sudden at about 10 turned into the biggest lap cat of all. I knew I was pregnant when he refused to tread on me at all.

He was at least 17 when he died, perhaps older, and we do miss him so. We have other rescue cats who've come to fill the hole, but they are their own unique characters rather than replacements.

I have a cat named Star, I've had her for 7 years, long before I had my kids and she means a lot to me and the kids. She's like one of my children and I would really feel like one of the family was missing if anything ever happened to her.

We've had cats ever since we met and they are well and truly part of our family unit. We are now on our second 'long-term' puss but she's been joined by two cute moggies. We love them all, particularly DD. Couldn't imagine life without them!

Our bunny and degus are part of the family they are also my babies

I'll tell you about my Mum's cat. My Dad is very ill and went to full time nursing care 2 years ago, being apart for first time after a 56 year marriage, and last autumn mum got a rescue cat.
The cat is perfect to keep mum company - she accompanies mum up the stairs to bed each night, and after ind night on the drawers she moved onto the bed covers. The next night she moved into the bed, and ever since has snuggled under the duvet and sleeps with her head on the pillow next to my mum's head! She couldn't be a better companion, and has made a huge difference to my mum at a very difficult time.

My pets are my reason for living, my reason for getting up in the morning, and for why I leave the house every day. I have rarely known a human in rl that has ever been nice to me, whether the staff in the childrens home that raised me, or past ex bf's to friends that seem to expect me to pay for their friendship so I tend to keep myself to myself and have as little a contact with humans as I can muster, even walking down the street to go to the shop will result in someone shouting abuse from a car or something being thrown at me, the joys of being disabled eh

so my pets are my company, they don't judge me, they are happy to see me, my dog follows me everywhere, the rabbits would too given half a chance, I'm sure they don't realise the responsibility they have being in my life, they owe me nothing, I owe them everything

My dog is my friend and loyal companion who always listens to me. He had been passed from home to home as a pup until he found a home with us. He was unsettled to begin with but now he is our dog

Our fish provide a calming influence

My dog Bonnie means the world to me. She's most definitely considered part of the family and I wouldn't change her for the world! We got her 7 years ago from Manchester dogs home and initially she was timid and nervous but soon overcome that to become a very much loved member of our family

I'm allergic to fur, so it's very difficult for me to have any pets. We have had fish in the past, but they're not really an animal you can connect with in the same way as a dog or cat.

My dog is like a 4th child to me, I love her to bits :)

I cannot begin to tell you how much our dog Tiny means to me. She was my 19th birthday present from my fiance Dean back in 2005. She is a massive part of my life and a member of the family.

Over her 12 years she has had lots of health problems including chronic bronchitis, chronic pancreatitis and having an op to deepen her knee joint and my tummy flips with anxiety whenever she is unwell. She is my little fur baby and i love her more than she'll ever know!!

I love her little quirks....she is too ladylike to walk through puddles or chase sticks, yet will eat flies that buzz in the window. She will lay on the ironing pile and will check our son's room every night when he is asleep. I love how excited she gets when we come trough the door, even if we only left 5 minutes earlier. Her love is unconditional for us and ours is for her too.

I dread the day that i know will come one day - she is my first dog and has been by my side every day for 12 years.

Pets are a great addition to the family. Someone to show affection to and receive affection from. A great welcome when you get home. We have a dog called zara. She provides great inspiration for some amazing days outdoors.

They mean the world to me! My 2 dogs are family, companionship and Charlie is my special helper, he picks up things for me whether I want him to or not....he's very rarely awake though. Unlike Nora who is always on permanent patrol for invaders!

I love all of my animals, but the most special thing to me is how my older dog interacts with my mum who has severe dementia. She responds to very little, and shows interest in nothing - but ddog1 puts his head in her lap and she smiles and strokes him for ages while he stays absolutely still