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 cats mean the world to me. They are as important as the people in my life. Each has a really distinct personality. Two are getting on now and slowing down a bit but they've still got the energy to keep my third cat, a lively 3 year old, in check. I did try living in a petless household and was just miserable. Every day you could feel that something was missing.

We got Ruby from the local dog's home, she was a medium sized mongrel, but with such a sweet nature. She just permanently looked sad, but when she was out she would bound around like a puppy even though the vet said she was probably a bit older as she was starting to lose teeth. She then started to get ill, but luckily she was insured as the medications were over £100 a month something which we wouldn't have been able to pay ourselves. Then one day she refused them and it broke our hearts, she had always been so good just licking the tablets out of our hands. She refused her food as well and it was like she had decided it was time. My husband and I cried for days, we had her cremated and her urn is sat in our house, 6.5 yrs later we still miss her.

My dogs mean the world to me. They give me structure and make me get up and be active - important when my SAD takes hold. They love and are loved.

My puppy means a new better life for me.

Kids all getting themselves to school so no need to go out much.
Health not great but she's given me a reason to get up and go out. Is making me feel better about life. Makes me happy every day. Gives me purpose. Is my best friend. Best thing I ever did was get my puppy.

Before we bought our dog Alma I suffered from a dog phobia. I had been afraid of dogs for as long as I can remember and this fear kept growing until it was completely out of control. I even stopped going places like the beach or the park, and I stopped running because I was worried I might meet a dog. Then one day I had enough and I enrolled in therapy which worked wonders. It didn't just get rid of the fear but I started loving dogs so much I wanted one myself. I also noticed that I still felt nervous around dogs I didn't know so I wanted to make sure I spent a lot of time with dogs. When we brought Alma home at first I felt wary around her but we got to know each other and now she means everything to me. She is the reason my phobia has not come back and in that way she has changed my life. I can do all the things I was scared of before, and I even bring her running!

My pets are completely part of the family in every way - love them to bits!

I had a cattery in Spain and have written a book about the cats adventures. Sadly, no agent or publisher as yet but I have a literary agent interested in my children's sci fi book called Planet Zu Tu

My cat Soot is the fattest, most adorable cat around. He is a big lump & just loves to sit by the side of you for you to stroke him & stroke his tum. he crys & you feel like he can talk to you!

I recently lost my 5 year old cat suddenly and unexpectedly. I feel he has left a real hole in my life and my heart. During the day his clumsiness was always making us laugh. And then in the evening when we sat down after a long day to watch TV, he would be up on my knee purring and taking all my stress away. When we had visitors, he was always keen to say hello and would climb onto their laps and make his presence known. Since we lost him I've realised that he meant more to me than I ever realised. Even a month down the road I'm crying typing this.

My cats offer me unconditional love and just stroking and cuddling them brings my stress levels down and puts everything into perspective. They run around creating chaos but bring me joy and laughter and in return I will look after them and give them the best moggie life they can have 😻

My cat Felix means the world to me, without any doubt I am his mummy. I have had him since he was 6 weeks and now he is 17 and fetting old like me, we both hobble about together.

My chubby little cat max helps teach my boys about patience (wait until he's finished his food) and being kind to others (gentle hands please!). He's always following us to nursery and waiting for us at the end of the day to walk home with us. It really helps my eldest to think about how others feel by understanding how his actions can make the cat angry or happy, and that it's important to think about that before trying to play with him or cuddle him. Pets are a great way to teach children!

My cats are incredible creatures and have really helped me through a rough time recently. I was diagnosed with work related stress at the beginning of the year and was suffering from dreadful anxiety. My two cats, a brother and sister we got from the Cats Protection League seven years ago, became very snuggly and affectionate. My lap was always occupied by one or sometimes two of them! Perhaps I was always too busy before with the laptop always open on my knee while I was working. Suddenly though, I became aware of the stress busting aspects of being a cat owner. Sitting quietly stroking them and listening to the rhythmic purring was tremendously calming and relaxing. I love them running up to me and circling my legs...that's not to say they don't have their moments of being standoffish though!

My dog is three and she is my companion, my shoulder and my partner in crime. She is undemanding and all giving. I love her.

our dog is a strong part of the family and all our plans are revolved around his well being.

My two cats were a huge part of our family even though they were the smallest members. They not only gave us love and companionship they lighten our moods by doing something silly and making us laugh. Unfortunately they are no longer with us but we miss them everday. They had their own little habbits which we came to love and know so well and basically the home ran around them but we wouldn't have changed a thing, as they brought so much into our family x

i love my beautiful boy Bobby so much! its amazing how attached you can get to a furry creature but i cant imagine being without him

my cats are my best friends, I keep telling my children that my ambition is to become a crazy old cat lady. they're not quite sure if I am serious or not and neither am I.

My cat growing up was a big part of my life. We got her when I was 11, and just about to start secondary school. There's a biggish age gap between my older sisters and I and my parents worked so I was often coming home to an empty house.
Although technically a family cat, she claimed me early on, and would meet me from the school bus and walk me home.

i adore my animals, my dog loves us all unconditionally and is so good with my grandchildren :)

our pets mean everything to us, we have always had dogs and cats, they are very much part of the family. We have 2 Border Collies and a 19 year old cat. we love them very much indeed.

My beautiful 2 cats are both rescue cats, and they always come to greet me after a long day at work. I have built them their own bed shelves high up in the room so that they can have their own space.
I can't imagine not having them.

when i'm feeling lonely she is a friend & companion for me :)

My cat Timmy is adorable and likes to snooze at the end of my bed. Enjoys sunbathing if the weathers nice but not fond of rain prefers to look out the window then, means everything to me as he's got a smiley face and cheers me up !