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

[SorchaMumsnet]

Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard is the heart-warming tale of how a dog and man changed each others' lives forever.

In 2016, Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultramarathon runner, unexpectedly stumbled across a little stray dog while competing in a gruelling 155-mile race across the Gobi Desert. The lovable pup, who earned the name ‘Gobi’, proved that what she lacked in size, she more than made up for in heart, as she went step for step with Dion over the treacherous Tian Shan Mountains, managing to keep pace with him for nearly 80 miles.

As Dion witnessed the incredible determination of this small animal, he felt something change within himself. In the past he had always focused on winning and being the best, but his goal now was simply to make sure that his new friend was safe, nourished and hydrated. Although Dion did not finish first, he felt he had won something far greater and promised to bring Gobi back to the UK for good to become a new addition to his family. This was the start of an unforgettable journey for the both of them, consisting of drama, grief, heartbreak, joy and love.

Finding Gobi is the ultimate story of hope, of resilience and of friendship; proving that dogs can really be 'man's best friend.' It is essential reading for all animal lovers and fans of A Streetcat Named Bob.

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of the book plus a Fitbit Alta, just tell us: what do your pets mean to you?

This discussion is sponsored by HarperCollins and will end on Wednesday 5 July

Books T&Cs apply

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.

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'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.

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!

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.

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

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!

My boxer bruno means the world to us

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

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.

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

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!

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.

my dog is my life

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 :)

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!

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

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.

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 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

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 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.

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)

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

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