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 actually potentially saved my life more than once by alerting other adults in the house when my health took a turn for the worse when I was going through a bad patch, she hasn't been trained but would bark then go to find someone and scratch their legs until they followed her, then once they were with me she wouldn't leave my side. She wasn't a barker and she would never scratch or jump up other than those few occasions

My boxer bruno means the world to us

Our cat CoCo means the world to us. My sister was very poorly with unmanageable diabetes and had to take an extended time off work and went back to live with my parents. CoCo joined the family a few months in to this period and was a real little rock to my sister during a difficult time. She was always by my sisters side and helped bring some structure to the day with feeding, petting, grooming etc and really helped my sister to get better. A few months later her diabetes was under control and since then she has gone back to work which involves travel. CoCo came to live with us a couple of years ago and she is a pivotal member of the family!! My DD adores her-CoCo is such a warming, soothing and positive little cat! Love her!

We have a tortoise! we follow him round the garden and hand feed him. low maintenance + big reward!

Winning the trust of our guinea pigs, who we rehomed when they were about 8 months old, was so amazing. I had resigned myself to the fact that one in particular would never be tame, would always be terrified when I caught her to put her out in her run each day, and woukd always barely tolerate people. She now comes when she hears me call (for food, of course) and they let me reach into their cage and stroke them. It's so calming and pleasing to watch them out in their run, enjoying the fresh air and eating grass- especially when I remember how they'd never been on grass before and it took a while before they dared step on I when they first came to live with us. I love how my children enjoying feeding them, and finding dandelions for them- and how the guinea pigs will run up to them too now!

They're small animals, but grab a big chunk of your heart.

Tilly, our black lab is my greatest daytime companion - she keeps me company while the kids are at school, is my reason every day for me getting out for a walk (in fact this year she was my training buddy for the London MoonWalk), listens to me wittering on all day (better than talking to myself?) and even watches me do the ironing (now that is dedication). She's got the sweetest nature, senses everyone's moods and seems to know just what to do and when to be there to make us all feel better. Our family life would definitely be much emptier without her!

I've got two rescued cats who mean the world to me Not only do they entertain me, and keep me company, but somehow they seem to know when I'm upset or in pain.

When I've got a headache, one of them sits on the back of my chair and massages my head with her paws, whilst the other one licks my forehead, and won't leave my side.

Our Gus is a four year old Kerry Blue Terrier and despite being stubborn and over protective I have fallen for him and his quirky habits. For my husband who is disabled he's company while I'm at work and he does get spoilt (the dog, not my husband!).

I'm a cat person, have always had a cat at home since I was born. To me, pets are a part of the family, so much more than just an animal you share your house with.
My cat, Ben, seems to be able to sense when I'm feeling low or upset and will come up to me for a cuddle. He is companionship for when I'm home alone and I admit I do talk to him like he is another member of the family - which of course he is.

The longest I've ever been without a cat is only a few months, in between moving out of home and getting my own place. I can't imagine ever not having a cat around. To me a house isn't a home without a cat.

My pets are my life. I am shy and if it weren't for my dogs I wouldn't ever leave the house! They also keep my company and love me for who I am

My pets are my family, I make no difference to talking or non-talking members. Pets (and animals in general) is the constant in my life that has never changed. I'm so amazed by them today as I was when I was little. I love them, and if I had money, I'd spend it in them, sanctuaries, refuges, anything!

i could write on and on on ths subject.but all I will say is she means my everything.evry single thing.she is my love.my best friend my family.she know when I'm upset.she moves me to postion when I have seizures anddrags me out of danger if I fall onto dangerous surfaces. she lies with me til I wake from them
she laughs with me and makes me laugh and sits with her head on me when I cry.
shes my whole world.

Our cat is a real part of the family, bringing a bit more life into what's otherwise a small household.

My dog was my rock in the turbulence of childhood. If he hadn't been there, I don't think I'd be here now. He was the most benign presence I had around me.

Our dog Buddy means the world to our family. I often find the kids lying in his bed with him! He is epileptic and can be a handful but we love him a lot

Pets mean the word to us and are the cornerstone of our family unit

My Beagle, Bruce is everything to me.

I first met him when he was 5 and lived with the new tenants of my local pub. They explained that he had originally been tested on as a puppy, and had then been taken by a family who didn't treat him properly. They had found him in their local Dog's Trust and immediately fell in love.
A year later they were forced to move from the pub when it was sold, and they knew that they were not going to be able to give Bruce the time he needed, and immediately thought of me because I had been looking after him at weekends, and we had formed a close bond.
So, at the age of 6 he started yet another chapter in his life......
I suffer with depression and anxiety, and I have found Bruce has been my saviour. When I'm really down his endless cuddles reassure me, and I no longer have an excuse for not going outside, and having to walk him every day has stopped me getting so scared of leaving my home.
Last month his previous owners got married, and we were invited to the wedding, the picture is Bruce at the wedding, where he behaved impeccably!

Our pets mean companionship, unconditional love, support, a sense of purpose and focus. They are part of the family and increase our sense of wellbeing. 💛

My ddog is much loved and the key to my sanity. Having to walk her everyday gets me out of the house and clears my head. She has got me through some very difficult times. My ds was bullied a few years ago and from that time onwards she has sneaked into his bedroom when she thinks DP are asleep and sneaks out before we get up. She thinks we don't know she sleeps on his bed. I am certain that she's been protecting him all this time.

I've just had this conversation with a friend as we are replacing our much loved 15yr old car. The fact that it still smells of my first baby, I still find her hairs in there and the fact that the car took us to the vet that fated day hurts just as much as when we lost her. Since then I have 3 cats. Each one is just like my child. Much loved, much wanted and in some ways better company (my teens grunt, my cats purr)

My cat Ziggy is part of the household, almost like another child to me. He was given to me as a birthday present by a boyfriend, the cat is still with me but the boyfriend long gone. Ziggy loves to eat, sleep and always likes to be by my side when he does so .. he wakes me up in the night if he wants feeding by stomping all over me and he has been an angel to put up with what I can only call 'exuberant' behaviour on the part of my son since he was born, although he didn't come home until 2am that first night I brought my son back from the hospital!! I think pets are a wonderful thing for a household, they teach children about unconditional love, humanity and just bring something different to a family.

Our cat, Cupcake, is like our second daughter. We adore her!

My pets mean so much to me! In fact all the pets we have ever had have a special place in my heart. We've had our dog for 18 months and she has completely changed all of our lives. I've had lots of health problems but she gets me out every day, no matter what and we've learnt so much together - she's a rescue who has learnt about the world around her, whilst I've got out and about more which I desperately needed. She is also an amazing playmate for DD who is an only child. We all the love our lovely dog so, so much! Soppy as that sounds!

We don't have any pets currently. Son1 would like us to get a labrador puppy whilst son2 wants a pug, but I don't think it is fair whilst I'm working fulltime

Yoda is a member of the family - she's 12 now and Lucas coming along 6 years ago was probably a bit of a shock but she's adjusted really well. She's still very much my cat and tends to avoid the males of the house lol (unless there's a chance of food)