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

I could go on and on about my 2 cats and 2 dogs but will sum it up in 2 words - Furry Children! lol

I have a two year old chocolate Labrador named Maggie and she is my best friend. She is always there for me, she never judges me, and she always know when I need some comfort. I would never be without her.

We found my cat at school when she was a newborn kitten, abandoned and sheltering from a storm. We rescued her and the only thing we could find to take her home in was a Twix box ... so she became known as Twix! She has since passed and even though we have had many other cats since then, she remains my beloved and favourite cat.

He's my little furry best mate. I love him.

Hearing him purr is the best sound ever.

I suffer from social anxiety so for me pets give me confidence and a connection I find difficult to make with most people.

Our dog is family, not just a pet. He is my best friend and keeps me company when the kids are at school - she is someone to talk to as well!

We have two cats, and they are so much a part of the family.

TCat is a grumpy old man. He was a rescue cat who was adopted by our friends, but when they emigrated he came to live with us. He prefers older people, so spends most of his time next door with the neighbours. We have a 2 year old, so we can't really blame him. He is always home at tea time, though.

We've had RCat since he was a rescue kitten. He loves to sit on my knee for cuddles, and has nearly forgiven me for having a baby who took all of the attention away from him. Nearly! He also follows us when we go out for walks, but then lays in the middle of the road because he knows I will have to go and move him so he gets another cheeky cuddle in!

We got his brother too, but he was knocked down on our quiet cul de sac about 6 months after he came to live with us. We were devastated. We were renting, so JCat is buried in my parents' back garden. Along with their dog and my sister's hamster.

We were unable to get a pet as my husband and 3 out of the 4 children were allergic sneezing runny eyes itchy skin , then we heard of a cavapoo which is king charles crossed with a poodle that then made non moulting hypoallergenic, we went to see and hey presto nothing they are all fine, we have wanted a dog for 15 years and we have loved having this bundle of fluff our little copper he is such a lovable kind dog truly made our family complete well id actually like another lol xx

I never wanted pets as an adult, although we had them as a family when I was a child. I didn't want the responsibility or the lack of spontaneity that animals bring. This only increased when I had children and I felt that I didn't want the added mess or hassle.
Then, just as the kids were getting a bit more independent, just as I felt I was beginning to get my life back, my DH did the worst thing possible. Very late one night, somewhat worse for wear from the pub, he arrived in our bedroom and plonked on the duvet a tiny furry scrap of puppy- all waggy and licky and hyper-excited.

And that was it. From that day to this I have been "Mum". That tiny scrap was shortly followed by a second to "keep him company" and our lives have never been richer. I genuinely now have 5 kids, not 3.

They drive me up the wall. They're messy, noisy, bouncy and have a habit of destroying just exactly where I've just tidied. They follow me everywhere, "help" with the housework, ride on the sofa when I'm hoovering behind it, hide under the duvet when I'm making the beds.

There isn't one inch of my life that hasn't been doggified in some way. They are my babies and I am their mum, for ever and ever.

And I couldn't be happier.

We have had cats in our house always...couldn't do without the friendship they give. We only have one now that we took on to re-home....what a character she is ...a long haired black and white 7 year old.. will only eat dried posh cat food no fresh chicken or fish bits, she wouldn't purr for 3 years but does now. She adores my husband and spends hours with him in his shed and the garden for tummy rubs..Treats me with caution but loves to be brushed by me with a plastic brush...but will run off when I approach her in the garden....I cried buckets when my 19 year old tabby had to be put down she was so so loving and part of me. Yes, I do love cats and they are so part of the family.

Our dog, Kaiser, is a member of the family. He means everything to us and my sons love him so much.

It really is like a having a second child having our dog Doodles. Amazing how much a part of the family he has become :-)

I have grown up always having pet cats. In fact a cat was there in the family home before I came in to the world. I can't imagine life without a pet cat

My Ruby-Blue means the world to me, after losing my previous dog many years ago it had been a long time since i had owned a dog, Four years ago i had a sudden serious illness, which left me without a career or job, complete loss of direction, my confidence was shattered and i became quite ill with depression and really struggling, although my husband is not confident with dogs, he offered for us to find me a little friend to help,and then came along my beautiful girl. She is my twin, not very confident, very soft and loving and she brightened my world more than words can say, she became my purpose for getting up, the reason i was able to fight through anxiety and agrophobia, getting me outside and facing those fears, the most gentle beautiful girl in the world we are inseperable and i love her so....

Princess may be 6 but she’s a kitten at heart
Up & down trees through the woodlands she’ll dart
She loves to chase squirrels, badgers & foxes
As guardian of her territory she ticks all the boxes
But don’t get me wrong she’s an angel deep down
She’s the one who can turn a smile from a frown
Greedy for kisses & cuddles galore
She falls at my feet & rolls on the floor
From the moment we met she won me over with her charms
She loves nothing more than curling up in my arms
On her unconditional love I can depend
She’s not just my pet but my very best friend

ou house is like a zoo, guinea pigs rocky, chuckie, jupiter and hubble. fish kate and williams dog rasco and cats donnie sonny and chey. wouldnt have it any other wy though! i love my pets thhy are family! seeing them in the morining always puts me in a good mood!

My pets are such a companion to me, I have depression but they always help me to feel better when things aren't so good.

My dog is a rescue, we were sold a pig in a poke! He is the most neurotic, high maintenance boy I've ever had, but he is what I get up for in the morning. He is so entertaining, with his cheery smile and waggly tail and bottom- some days I find it hard to get going and get interested in the world, but he makes my heart lift with his daftness. He likes to play and cuddle, and is so pleased to see me when I come home. He shouts when he hears my car pull up, and shouts again if I take too long to come in. He's a sweetheart!

They all have different personalities, they are like children to me

My pet dog Barney means everything to me.

We've had him for almost 7 years now, and keeps me fit by walking every day. Neither of us are very big, but we walk miles along canal banks and exploring local woods.

He gets me up in the mornings - sometimes reluctantly! - and we get busy. I can't be late walking him, otherwise I get 'the stare'

He's my boy!

Stanley is both fun and naughty......a companion and a reason to leave the house and exercise. He seems to realise when I'm upset and I love him.

For a dog you are their whole life. They give unconditional love & in return I do the same. Mine makes me go out in all weathers. She & my cat are best friends & it is wonderful to see the interaction. I cry for days when a pet of mine dies.

We have 3 mice. George, Graham and Spot. They are a lot of fun, and my children are very fond of them.
They can be difficult to look after as they sometimes fight, and we have had to separate them on occasions.
As we have had to one when of them has been ill.
Though not the easiest of animals to look after, they are a lot of fun.

Our dog is part of the family and brings a smile to everyone's face. We walk her twice a day and it gives the family time outside together to talk about the day ahead and reflect on the day. I wouldn't be without our dog.

We got the first ever pets in our home last month - my daughter got 2 gorgeous little guinea pigs. It might sound silly but I can't quite believe how much we love our little girls already! They were a little poorly not long after we got them but they recovered and now they are full family members! We chat to them all the time, loves having cuddles and even though they were nervous to start with they seem to enjoy our company now too :-)