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

My dog Max is my best friend and means the world to me. I love walking but unfortunately my husband is disabled and unable to walk more than a few steps. Max keeps me active, makes me smile and makes me walk everyday. He's such a character and I've met lots of fellow dog walkers this way
I love him to bits and he's never saw from my side...he's a very important member of our family and everyone adores him.

Pets are a huge part of our family life. They mean fun, love, company and heartache. Our family is never complete without a dog or cat.

Pets are a huge part of our family life. They mean fun, love, company and heartache. Our family is never complete without a dog or cat.

I saw a lovely dog coat recently. Among the "Assistance dog," "I'm friendly" "Nervous," etc there was one that said, "I rescued my owner." That's exactly how I feel about our rescue hound that we adopted as I was trying to find a new normal after some brutal cancer treatment. My reason to get up in the morning and out into the woods as I'm trying to regain fitness. Such a happy dog - True Mindfulness in action!

Our dogs are a part of the family. We got Guinness(black cocker spaniel) when our eldest turned one because we wanted our kids to grow up with a family pet. Teddy (shih Tzu) is a new addition less than a year ago. Our dogs are our boys best friends and there's nothing better than us all spending the day together going for a long dog walk and a picnic.

Our crazy pup Heidi is an 18 month old chocapoo (choc lab x cockapoo) and she is completely unique. She is so very full of life. I consider her as a very important member of our family. Our kids are growing up and sometimes it can be hard to communicate and stay in touch with teenagers thoughts and feelings - their need to be independent is so strong - but Heidi has given us all a bond we might never have had without her. They love her, we (the parents) love her, we love them (the teenagers), the teenagers can show love without losing face, making it easier for them to express emotions towards us and others in the family. And Heidi loves us all, especially when there are treats on offer! ;)

Monty our Border the Terrier is a huge part of our family. He is 3 and a half now but still full of fun and everyday we laugh at him and his funny ways!

My dog is the reason I am still here.

We got her as a puppy two years ago for dh, as his older dog was needing to slow down and retire. He is a farmer and she goes in the tractor with him.

This little bundle of fluff rolled into our home and chose me. I have never had a dog of my own before. It is amazing. She follows me everywhere. Wagging her tail and waiting for cuddles.

In her two years we have had three miscarriages and failed IVF. She has held me together. Three weeks ago I had another miscarriage, this time at 12 weeks. She lay beside me in the bathroom and never left my side. Her little eyes look at me with such utter love and devotion. She's a funny naughty little scamp but that love is something else.

In my darkest moments she's there, just being my friend. I love her so much.

My dog Bella has got me through tough times in my marriage, hard times with my children, and is my confidante, I tell her everything, thank goodness she can't speak! I'd be lost without her, she's my best friend.

We had a rabbit (peter) original I know. He was more like a cat than a rabbit, and would stretch out on the rug in front of the fire, he had the freedom of the garden all day and when he heard my husbands car turn int our driveway he would rush to the gate to greet him, we had him for 10 years and were devastated when he died. We have not had another pet as we would never get one like him

Pets are part of the family! My first pet Tansley was a Yorkshire terrior crossed with a jack Russell. As a child I found it very therapeutic to have her and to help look after her, and I used to tell her a lot of things too, such as my worries. When she died I was heartbtoken. We now have Florence a yorkie/Patterdale cross and she's as mad as can be. She brings a lot of happiness to our lives and my daughter nancy loves her and plays with her just like I did with tansey. It's so lovely to see x

I have a dog and a cat and to be honest they are the world to me unlike the kids they don't answer back and cause bruises (although they do like to play fight together)

My dog Max (part Red Setter & Part Golden Labrador) is part of the family, my son picked him out of a family of 13 pups. He is a playmate for my son, a watch dog and a companion to me. As a one parent family it makes me feel secure knowing that Max is there to protect us.

We don't have any pets in our house but I have 2 parrots which are at my mam and dads. I got them when I was at school they are amazing family pets but a lot of hard work to look after. I'm so thankful my parents can still look after them as I can't with working long hours. They are the most loving, intelligent animals and I wouldn't change them for the world!

My dog Freddie meant the absolute world to us. Sadly he passed away last month at home, all very traumatic but the super star picked a time when the kids were away to go. The house is so quiet without him - even when the kids were at school I always knew that there was someone in the house with me. I really miss the pitter patter on the floor hearing him coming to me.

Freddie was the cutest sausage dog ever and managed to get to a good old age of 14 - we miss him so much

Pets add to family life. They are companions...they help families understand love, compassion and responsibility. They Unite, create long lasting bonds and show loyalty.

My dog is like another baby to me. I know it sounds cheesy but he really is another member of the family and a really important one at that. Love him so much.

My cat is a friend and he is always there when I need a cuddle.

Our 2 dogs and cat are our family,loving,loyal and funny in equal measures. They may need us ,but we also need them, as a happy family should be.the look in there eyes when we come home from work is amazing,that look that says we love you and we missed you,and I'm sure they see it in our faces too.Especially if we have a bag of shopping that the cat can jump in and investigate!

I think our dogs have been instrumental in keeping my husbands arthritis at bay. Since we got the dogs he goes out walking every day with them, up to 6 miles a day. This is keeping his joints moving which I thin is helping. We have got 2 adults dogs, a wolfhound x deerhound and a deerhound lurcher, and, 3 weeks ago we bought a 9 week old puppy who is a deerhound :)

my dog is my life

Our pets mean the world to us, they really help keep with routines and elevate mood, my dog saved my life after a very bad period. I couldn't imagine my life without any pets now, I believe they are great for both mental and physical health and bring joy to us all.

I have a pet parrot who my parents owned even before I was born. I've grown up with her all of my life and she is almost like a sibling to me I think. It's amazing how attached you can get to your animals, especially parrots since they are able to talk and are really intelligent. She's 30 years old at the moment but will probably be around for the next ten years too which is amazing!

My dog really is like my fourth child - he is much loved and we would hate to be without hm

I got my dog 4 years ago for company as I had terrible PND, ex worked 6 nights a week and I was scared and lonely every night. She means the world to me because she is the most loyal dog I've ever had. She's always glad to come home from my parents even though they give her way more fuss, walks and treats than I do! She used to go for my ex when he hit me even though he had her first. When I cry she rests her head on my shoulder and stays there ages.

Recently got another dog but ddog1 will always be my favourite.