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

My teenage daughter has depression and anxiety so having our two pet rats Dorothy and Florence to look after has meant the world to her. We all love them, they're so friendly and inquisitive. Pets do truly enrich people's lives!

As a family of animal lovers we have never been without pets in our lives and I personally love all animals more than many humans! When I was born my father bought a dog the same day and we grew up together. I have carried that on with my own children who both have the love of a dog to grow up with.

I have been lucky enough to have two beautiful special canine members of my family. They joined us from dogs trust the year we got married long before we had children. Instantly we went from being a couple to being a family, because that's what they are....family. And from a family of 4 we became a family of 6. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my son and daughter's love and respect for our dogs, but more broadly all dogs. That's how it should be.

My dogs, Grizzlybear and his mother, Jessie are real family members. They go eveerywhere with us and are a primary consideration when plans are made. I think it is very important that children grow up with pets as it teaches them to be caring and responsible. We are fortunate in living by the North Yorkshire coast, so have beautiful beaches and the Moors nearby for family walks.

POPPY OUR 10 YEAR OLD BOSTON TERRIER IS PART OF THE FAMILY. SHE IS LOYAL, FRIENDLY AND LOVING. POPPY CRUMPTON!

Our beautiful dog Honey is as much part of the family as everyone else and is treated as such.
She comes everywhere with us and I can't imagine life without her.
She makes us laugh, is always ready for a cuddle and adores the children.
She's like my child really lol

my little Maltese is a gentle soul, he likes nothing more than sitting next to you, he is so quiet and calm, my son adores him, and will love and talk to him, pick him up and he is the first person he will say hello to in the morning and coming home from school. Having a dog has made sure my son has a pal and someone who loves him back unconditionally.

I once looked after an elderly lady who was in a care home following a stroke. She was very depressed and we tried all sorts of drugs and therapies to help her, but nothing worked.
One day, a scruffy stray cat came in through her open window and settled on her lap. Every night the staff would shoo him away but every morning he came back and slept on her lap all day.
The difference in her mood after his daily visits started was amazing- her depression lifted, she stopped all her antidepressants and was like a different person. Two tired souls found each other. It was beautiful.

my cats are loving and give me company :)

I love all of my animals, but the most special thing to me is how my older dog interacts with my mum who has severe dementia. She responds to very little, and shows interest in nothing - but ddog1 puts his head in her lap and she smiles and strokes him for ages while he stays absolutely still

They mean the world to me! My 2 dogs are family, companionship and Charlie is my special helper, he picks up things for me whether I want him to or not....he's very rarely awake though. Unlike Nora who is always on permanent patrol for invaders!

Pets are a great addition to the family. Someone to show affection to and receive affection from. A great welcome when you get home. We have a dog called zara. She provides great inspiration for some amazing days outdoors.

I cannot begin to tell you how much our dog Tiny means to me. She was my 19th birthday present from my fiance Dean back in 2005. She is a massive part of my life and a member of the family.

Over her 12 years she has had lots of health problems including chronic bronchitis, chronic pancreatitis and having an op to deepen her knee joint and my tummy flips with anxiety whenever she is unwell. She is my little fur baby and i love her more than she'll ever know!!

I love her little quirks....she is too ladylike to walk through puddles or chase sticks, yet will eat flies that buzz in the window. She will lay on the ironing pile and will check our son's room every night when he is asleep. I love how excited she gets when we come trough the door, even if we only left 5 minutes earlier. Her love is unconditional for us and ours is for her too.

I dread the day that i know will come one day - she is my first dog and has been by my side every day for 12 years.

My dog is like a 4th child to me, I love her to bits :)

I'm allergic to fur, so it's very difficult for me to have any pets. We have had fish in the past, but they're not really an animal you can connect with in the same way as a dog or cat.

My dog Bonnie means the world to me. She's most definitely considered part of the family and I wouldn't change her for the world! We got her 7 years ago from Manchester dogs home and initially she was timid and nervous but soon overcome that to become a very much loved member of our family

Our fish provide a calming influence

My dog is my friend and loyal companion who always listens to me. He had been passed from home to home as a pup until he found a home with us. He was unsettled to begin with but now he is our dog

My pets are my reason for living, my reason for getting up in the morning, and for why I leave the house every day. I have rarely known a human in rl that has ever been nice to me, whether the staff in the childrens home that raised me, or past ex bf's to friends that seem to expect me to pay for their friendship so I tend to keep myself to myself and have as little a contact with humans as I can muster, even walking down the street to go to the shop will result in someone shouting abuse from a car or something being thrown at me, the joys of being disabled eh

so my pets are my company, they don't judge me, they are happy to see me, my dog follows me everywhere, the rabbits would too given half a chance, I'm sure they don't realise the responsibility they have being in my life, they owe me nothing, I owe them everything

I'll tell you about my Mum's cat. My Dad is very ill and went to full time nursing care 2 years ago, being apart for first time after a 56 year marriage, and last autumn mum got a rescue cat.
The cat is perfect to keep mum company - she accompanies mum up the stairs to bed each night, and after ind night on the drawers she moved onto the bed covers. The next night she moved into the bed, and ever since has snuggled under the duvet and sleeps with her head on the pillow next to my mum's head! She couldn't be a better companion, and has made a huge difference to my mum at a very difficult time.

Our bunny and degus are part of the family they are also my babies

We've had cats ever since we met and they are well and truly part of our family unit. We are now on our second 'long-term' puss but she's been joined by two cute moggies. We love them all, particularly DD. Couldn't imagine life without them!

I have a cat named Star, I've had her for 7 years, long before I had my kids and she means a lot to me and the kids. She's like one of my children and I would really feel like one of the family was missing if anything ever happened to her.

I'm going to tell you about our first cat, who was brought home by my now-DH when we'd just moved in together because someone at work had told him they were returning their cat to the cat's shelter they'd rescued it from, because it "didn't like children or men". I didn't really want a cat, but he was a beautiful black and white fellow who hid behind the sofa in our small flat for a good day or so before coming out of his shell and totally taking over.

He became the cat who'd fuss my DH constantly, so much for his man-hating ways. He charmed everyone- our neighbours (various, including chain-smoking downstairs old lady who he'd hang out with in the day before returning at night reeking of fags, only ending when he developed an asthmatic wheeze and we had to put a stop to the full-time friendship in favour of his health); my grandmother, when we'd take him to visit over the Christmas holidays she'd dote on him, once carrying him back from the shed down the garden where he'd most likely been happily ratting "in case he was lost" on her somewhat frail 88 year old legs; and every toddler who ever passed through our house - he would seek them out to be petted and pulled and carried floppily in arms.

If our children were playing outside he would "guard" them, like a dog, never straying far from them and seeing off any other cat that appeared. He was extremely vocal, and a big hunter - but we forgave him.

Not at all a lap cat until he aged, he all of a sudden at about 10 turned into the biggest lap cat of all. I knew I was pregnant when he refused to tread on me at all.

He was at least 17 when he died, perhaps older, and we do miss him so. We have other rescue cats who've come to fill the hole, but they are their own unique characters rather than replacements.

My dog is one of my best mates. She gives me the motivation to go out every day. Watching her run when we go to the woods/park/quarry/beach makes me smile on my darkest days. I need to move my body even though each step can be painful. When I call her back & she runs to me (looking like she's grinning) makes me feel loved. She senses when I really shouldn't move though & sits on me & wont budge (she's a better judge on my health than I am). She lies outside my you gears bedroom when she has nightmares. She helps my eldest burn off her energy by playing and middle child always has a floppy ear to whisper her pre-teen hormones to. She's completed our family.
Keep an eye on your pork pie if she's around though