Mumsnet users share how their dog helped them and their family

[YanaMumsnet]

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Sleepeezee have recently released personalised dog beds, and to celebrate International Dog Day on the 26th August and dogs all year round, they’d like to hear about the ways your dogs have helped you and your family.

Here’s what Sleepeezee has to say: “British bed manufacturer Sleepeezee is proud to launch a collection of dog beds, in partnership with Battersea Dogs Home, which offer your companion a great sleep. Two distinct styles are available in a selection of sizes and colours, all of which can be personalised with your dogs name on.”

Perhaps the need to get out and walk your dog each day has helped you feel fitter and stronger? Or has the task of walking the dog helped your teenager gain some responsibility and independence they enjoy? Have you or your children learned any important lessons from your dog? Maybe being greeted by your dog’s smiling face and wagging tail at the end of a tough day helps you deal with stress?

However your dog has helped you and your family, share on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list) and a Sleepeezee dog bed.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ
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We unfortunately lost 6 family members in one year. My daughter was only young and felt the losses hard. Being around so much grief, funeral preparations/post organisations and everybody busy lead her to feel lonely. As well as sad. She was able to focus on her 🐕 and their routine of walking, feeding, bedtime and playing. This gave her a positive focus each day and helped her heal. She was also able to tell her 🐕 how she felt. I was able to understand from her point of view how she was feeling in any given day via those conversations. This made it easier for me to help her deal with her grief.

My daughter has epilepsy and functional seizures. Our rescue lurcher will sit beside her as she’s seizing and lick her face as she’s coming round. He’s a brilliant dog, but he shares a bed with our other dog, so he doesn’t need another one. If he won, I’d probably give it to the rescue we got both dog’s from, to raffle for funds.

Our dogs keep us fit as we have to walk them whatever the weather! We now spend lots of time outdoors which helps with mood and also we all sleep well now. They make us laugh everyday with their silly antics, they bring so much fun and unconditional into our family, I appreciate every day we have with them.

great company and keep fit

Our dog is a family member who encourages us to be silly, get daily exercise and be responsible.

My dog is the happiest, friendliest and loyal little pooch. She makes me feel really happy, she knows if I'm feeling down and will be extra cuddly. We go on adventures together, she's been travelling all over the place with me. Now she is 12 she is really slowing down and on pain medication and it's very hard to see. I love her so much, she is my family.

I think the poor dog has become a stress absorber, when anyone's feeling down he's a therapy dog. Getting teenagers to go for walks, upset younger children to cry on, whole family to laugh about...just a lot of love really

Since getting our dog the family has been going outside more and getting more exercise. Also, she cheers us up if we've had a stressful day.

Bella has helped the family in many ways, we get out more in the fresh air and get exercise, she welcomes us when we come home and teaches the children that we have take care of her as she depends on us. Many a time she has made us laugh and lifted our mood. True companion too.

He's a constant in our lives and a focus away from our problems. I also love getting out for a walk with him. It clears my mind and we have fun!

Our dog is our best friend, she calms us all, encourages us to get outside more and fills our hearts with love x

We have 2 6 month old puppies they make us smile everyday and get us out in the fresh air enjoying the lovely surroundings around us. They also listen to our moaning, it's nice to talk to someone that can't answer back.

Helped us through being a comfort, dogs seem to have a sixth sense about things that are going on in the background.

He's a good guard dog and a great companion

Our dog makes us laugh every day so she's a great mood lifter!

My lovely old girl Bonnie was rescued 10 years ago from Manchester Dogs Home. My husband had been diagnosed with cancer and had always wanted a dog (I didn't) so I relented and we chose her. Almost immediately she became the most loved family member, she brings all of us so much joy and the love we get from her is totally unconditional

being given advise by the doctor to lose weight Sally the dog has made me walk twice a day come rain or shine

We’ve had a few dogs over the years ... and with having 3 kids, there’s always one that falls out with the other 2 or doesn’t want to play what they’re playing... so they tend to hang out with their best friend the dog ... talking, reading, playing... a dog is a great companion

When I was away from home a became depressed, I was on anti depressants and wanted to do nothing but stay in bed. When I'd visit home the way he greeted me was a massive uplift, I got out of bed to walk him and it stopped me wallowing in the house.

I'm off the meds now that I'm in a better place but I really think I wouldn't have recovered the way I did without him. I still have my down days but his dopey face and waggy tail makes me feel better.

He is having a bit of trouble with his back and hips now we think so a comfy bed would be ideal for him.

My pup has shown our kids responsibility and how to be kind and caring ❤️❤️

My girls spent a long time persuading me to have a dog and eventually I succumbed. Best decision I ever made as Misty joined our family and became the focal point. She taught the girls how to love, care, be responsible, cheered them up when they were feeling down and was always something we shared and enjoyed together.

I always say that my dog has saved my daughters life. She has a very serious medical problem, She was very sick,, needed a wheelchair to walk more that 5 mins, was very depressed and in so much pain she just laid on the sofa all day. Serendipitously I got her a new puppy on the same day we finally got a diagnosis and started a treatment plan. I was desperate to think of anything that could help her and cheer her up and this gorgeous dog was the answer. Our puppy was a Newfoundland called Tay. She brought Jessica out of her depression, gave her company during the day and most importantly a purpose. Training and playing with her got Jess off the sofa. As She started her treatment and Tay grew, she could slowly walk further and so did Jessica. She has been by our side through jessica's 8 operations including 3 spinal operations. It gave me piece of mind knowing she had Tay with her. Jessica no longer needs a wheelchair and her condition is mostly under control but I honestly think it would have been very different without Tay.

My dog gets me out into the woods when I'd rather stay under the duvet.
He's a rescue dog, but such a happy boy he's an inspiration!
I'd say he rescued me when I was struggling to find a new normal, (The old 'Normal,' if it ever existed, was long gone!) after a long period of quite harsh medical treatmnet.

Our dog Bruce (one year old Saint Bernard) Has taught our son to be kind and gentle and loving towards others. Even when he has his moments (terrible twos) he stops when Bruce is around!

Encourages us to all go out for walks together