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A rescue Labrador that failed becoming a shooting dog. Very nervous to start with but later a very sensitive caring dog to moods & family problems from losing a house to illness. She had a swim the day before she died & we miss her madly.

I suffer from long term severe depression and it was a hard decision to get a dog again - but she means I get out of the house several times a day, whatever the weather, people will talk to you when you have a dog and I now find speaking with people much easier, you can practice "mindfulness" when walking, you can benefit from being in green space . near trees etc. She also is a pleasure to be with and it is lovely having her snuggle in on a cold winter evening.

My little mongrel Yoko has been a life saver for me...I had to have my lovely old boy Larry the Lurcher put to sleep in January 2018, after having had his sweet, gentle company for nearly fourteen years. I had always said that he would be my last dog - however after three months of not doing all the things I said I'd do when I didn't have responsibility for a pet, I caved in and found Yoko - the first time I've had a puppy for many, many years! She is such fun - she gets me out into the fresh air, keeps me company at home and makes me laugh if I'm feeling a bit lonely. Seeing that smiley little face looking up at me hopefully as she lobs various toys in my direction, is worth all the hard work that having a puppy has meant. Looking after her makes me get up, get out and get on with life! Love her to bits...

I have a real black dog (Dorcha, a 9 yr old Lab) who chases away my psychological ‘black dog’. She and her chocolate sister take me out walking twice a day, every day (no matter the weather), allowing me to appreciate nature, chat with neighbours and other walkers, clear my head and appreciate how fortunate I really am. My dogs have helped me through all sorts of difficult times, providing non-judgemental, unconditional love and support and the warmest welcome home at any time. Dogs should be available on prescription!

I had dogs before, when the children were growing. I lost My lovely Springer Spaniel in 2001. Having retired in 2008 and plenty time on my hands when the grandchildren went to school i decided to look around for a small rescue dog. I had lived in this home for almost 10 years and not being a very sociable person I spoke to very few people in the course of any da.y In 2010 my daughter, after much research found Westie Rescue and I was given my gorgeous Westie, Tilly. She gets a walk 3 times each day, this has kept me fit, has given me a reason to get fresh air. ( the Beach is 1 Mile away) and we speak to so many people with dogs of all sizes and shapes and people without dogs too. That small dog has given me a reason to get out of bed in the morning and I have met so many lovely people and dog owners My life is different since she came and certainly not lonely any more.

Our dog alerted us to someone in our back garden with her barking. We discovered that a rear window in our integral garage had been broken in a corner. Burglary aborted. Good dog ???

My dog is my first ever. I got her when my hubby was diagnosed with young onset dementia at 57. She’s been an amazing companion for him giving him outside time without me hounding him! Sadly he went into specialist care 21 months ago and my pup has been my constant companion. She gets me up and out of the house everyday and what can I say about the dog walking community? Fabulous people. I’d be totally lost without Jura.

I LOVE MY DOGS❤❤
I suffer from panic disorder, migraines, diabetes along with a lot of other health problems. I have also recently been bereaved. My dogs Carlos my, fiesty chihuahua and my Milly my beautiful Jack Russell/ Chihuahua, have kept me going. They are helping me through and indeed keep me going. They need me and that gives me purpose. They know when I'm not well and cuddle up with me. When I'm feeling better they are mischievous and fun and bring joy to my life. I have always had animals and quite honestly could not imagine my life without them. my amazing fur babiesxx

Great having a dog, a friend, who loves you warts and all - and listens to your problems, when there is no-one else around

We were going through a very traumatic time with a family member and I was having some really bad panic attacks.

One afternoon it was so bad that I could hardly breath, it felt as if I had a brick in my chest. I lay down on my bed and my toy poodle lay down next to me, as close as he could get. I placed my hand on him and gradually began to regulate my breathing with his until eventually I could breath normally.

I fell asleep and when I woke up he was still there lying beside me.

We have had our rescue dog for almost 15 years now and she is the love of your lives, she makes us smile when she acts like a 'puppy' and she is always there with a waggy tail to cheer us up.

Dogs have brought our neighbours and ourselves closer together. A single elderly lady a few doors down has been given a dog to keep her company, but she has had two bad falls and hasnt been able to go outside for weeks at a time.

My sons who love animals have been walking the dog for her, along with other neighbours helping out too. They really enjoy it and because we work long hours and don't have time to keep animals my boys have liked helping our neighbour and caring for an animal at the same time. All the neighbours work together to cover the dog walks so it gets us all chatting.

My sons have enjoyed it so much they've decided to try to volunteer and help out at a local animal shelter, which I think is a great idea.

Our family golden retriever Ted was an integral part of the family. He was patient and loving with children of all ages and a great companion for everyone. He died not long ago after a long and very happy life but we is much missed. If ever on his own in the house he liked the radio on, and we still leave it on out of habit!

If only to make you feel less like a mad woman, and others seeing you, when you talk to yourself in talk to your dog! A bit of exercise and fresh air when you talk them out for their 'business'. It's amazing how many people talk to you as well. Social interaction is always a plus. Lowering your blood pressure when you pet them. If only it didn't rain he moment the lease was in your hand.

When my husband and I retired, I had a 'rose coloured spectacles' idea of what our life would be - short breaks away, theatre trips, meals out etc. However, my husband uses his travel pass to go to football which I have no interest in. He goes two or three times a week and will not plan anything else at all in the long football season. He spends all his spare money on football and having a drink with 'the boys'. This means that our lives have become very separate and I began to become dissatisfied and depressed.
A year ago, I decided to take on a rescue dog. My little companion has turned my life around. He gives my life structure, companionship and a lot of love. He is quite difficult because he has obviously been mistreated in his earlier life. I am patiently trying to build his confidence and hope that perhaps next summer I can do my short breaks in doggy friendly places.
My little dog has truly given me a reason to feel positive about my life again.

Our family puppy-walked for Guide Dos for the Blind Association (GDBA) for four puppies while we had young children. It was great to watch their rapid progress from cuddly handfuls to young dogs with really good potential to become the working dogs as intended.

I'd recommend it to anyone who has the least interest in having a dog as the practical support and guidance from GDBA is really useful and can always be transferred to having a dog simply as a pet.

Many people we tell about this comment along the lines of "How could you ever give them back to GDBA?" The answer we give is that one knows from the start that that will happen and it means that the dogs have got to the stage where they can be really useful to potential owners.

Perhaps the need to get out and walk your dog each day has helped you feel fitter and stronger?

Oh definitely, since getting my Cockerpoo, I have felt fitter, happier, met people who have now become friends, who were former dog walkers I would say a polite hello to, my blood pressure has gone down, and I feel 10 years younger since getting him 3 years ago.

Have you learned any important lessons from your dog?

Just say hello to everyone on your travels, and if you see someone without a smile - give them one of yours.

Maybe being greeted by your dog’s smiling face and wagging tail at the end of a tough day helps you deal with stress?

After a day at work, coming home grumpy - perhaps the day has taken it's toll, the brown bundle of joy wagging so hard you can see his delight cannot fail to bring my mood back to where it should be.

I’ve read and enjoyed every post on here . I echo so many feelings all the owners have shared . What has struck me the most is unlike many other threads on Gransnet everyone who has posted has seemed a person who has often suffered in life yet still has the capacity to love and to be kind . Makes me wonder if we have taught our lovely dogs this or they in fact are the teachers themselves . Would love to mention certain posters personally but I guess you know who you are . Xxxx

We've had my little Jack Russell Cross for 9 years and she was the apple of my Husband's eye. We were due to attend my step-daughters funeral. Sadly it was all too much for him and he collapsed that day and died Christmas eve 2017 7 days later unexpectedly. I collected my dog from friends who were looking after her and returned home. My little dog was confused for sometime, sitting in his chair and sniffing around, sitting on the back of the sofa looking out of the window. I then moved into a small flat, I bought my husband's chair with me which she uses, and she sits in the front seat of the car with a doggy seat belt as she used to sit on his lap. We've come a long way since then, she sticks to me like glue and I to her. She is now the apple of my eye. I can't bear the thought of losing her but I know the day will come.....

Having a dog has helped me in many ways.

My fitness levels has increased as I have been going on longer and longer walks be it rain, hale ot shine this has affected my mood, appetite and sleeping patterns in a positive way.

It has also helped my social life as I now have many dog walking friends I have a chat with which has made me feel a part of the community

I never thought of myself a dog person and from a young age was terrified of them. whilst on holiday i saw a ball of fluff barely moving by the side of the rd. it was love at first sight! she was in a bad way and it took weekss of vet treatments but i persisted and finally hav her home with my i couldnt imagine my life without her!

We lost our beloved boxer dog Prudence last year, she was nearly 13 , she bought so much happiness into my life, she was my baby, giving me unconditional love, how I miss her big brown eyes following me around stroking her soft velvety ears would help get me to sleep, people say it's only a dog but no one loves quite like a dog. Rest in Peace my sweet girl.

They have brought lots of fun and laughter into our lives.

I have also rehomed rescue dogs and helping them has helped me to overcome serious health issues and to get me out and about and interacting with people. Being able to help dogs has made up for not having any children and they are infact my 'babies' and my life has been enriched enormously

I have had a fair few dogs over the years and every single one has been an individual and each has affected me and helped form my outlook on life. Mitzi an apricot toy poodle who was all dog despite her looks and her frou frou name. Duke, the Golden Retreiver who could most definitely count and was a stickler for fair play and bane of unguarded socks, and the reason I am compelled not to leave anyone out.
Spuggy who was a yorkie and the bravest little thing ever, Beau another Golden Retreiver who wrung every inch of joy out of life, Guffrim the Great Dane who was a nervous wreck when we got him, but learned to trust us and grew so much, Finbar another Goldie who had hip problems masses of painful operations and was still always up for a pootle around the woods, and our current boys Tiberius (rottie) and Hugo (staffie) who remind me every day that you can't judge a book by its cover, and are two of the soppiest idiots ever, and my poor, poor Tilly the only non rescue and the only puppy, who had Parvo when we got her and who didn't make it, despite the vet's best efforts. Our chaps have all been brave and funny and loving even when they were poorly. They help me to look at my life differently and take whatever pleasures now offers, and not concentrate on what I have lost - or indeed have never had. Each and every one has brought me huge joy and some pain, and I would have been a much poorer person if I had failed to meet any one of them. To be honest I dread the day when I am too old to share my life with a dog.