I have a dog and a cat: Dude and Tosh. Tosh is called Tosh because he has a moustache (he’s black and white). So it should be Tash for his moustache, but that’s short for Natasha and he’s a boy! So he’s Tosh. He’s really friendly. Some of the neighbours have a bed for him so I say they’re trying to steal him!
Dude is a Pomeranian. He’s pretty cool and friendly, but he’s quite old now, about 15. I take him with me when I go into town. He can walk there but he struggles to get back, so we always have to take a taxi home. He’s famous too – he was on the Pets at Home website!
They get on together. They get on with my mum’s sheepdog too, although she’s the boss! I used to have a house rabbit too and they’d all sleep in the same bed together. Dude actually prefers rabbits and cats to other dogs.
When I’m sad, Dude looks after me. I have epilepsy and Dude knows when I’m going to have a seizure. He comes up and licks my face while I zone out. He’s not an assistance dog, he just knows. He’s so clever.
If it weren’t for Dude and Tosh, I probably wouldn’t want to get up in the morning. They are the best thing and I need to care for them. They’re just everything to me.
Dawn Butler, Warwickshire
Stewie, Dobby, Kisses, Squeaker and Simon
We have two chihuahuas, Stewie and Dobby, and two cats, Kisses and Squeaker. We did have another chihuahua, Simon, until about six weeks ago. He was so beautiful, the sweetest little thing. The house felt so empty when he went. He was a rescue and had been ill-treated. How could anyone do that to such a beautiful, kind-hearted boy?
Dobby is a year old and he’s a proper scatty puppy. Stewie is a bit older, nearly eight, and he’s quieter. He’s quite good with Dobby, but he does send him off when he’s had enough! We have CCTV around the house and garden and Dobby likes to watch it.
Squeaker is very vocal and shouts all the time, but he doesn’t actually miaow – he squeaks! That’s why he’s called Squeaker. He’s stopped hunting and bringing things in now, which I’m pleased about, but at night he likes to crash through the cat flap miaowing or should I say squeaking!
Kisses is a real little lady. She’s very gentle and kind, but she can stand up for herself. Dobby thinks the cats are for chasing, so she gets on her back legs and punches him! But she never uses her claws and nor does Squeaker. She’s bigger than he is. They look like tigers against him because he’s so diddy.
A home just isn’t a home without an animal. Cats are a bit more independent but they’re all just so loving and part of the family.
Rita Sheehan and Mick Cox, Gainsborough
Tulip, Betsy, Rabo and Shadow
I’ve got two cats, a rabbit and a dog. The cats are called Tulip and Betsy, the dog is Shadow and the rabbit is Rabo. That’s short for Ribena, since I like Ribena!
I had Betsy from when she was first born. Then I got Tulip when my mum’s mate had a friend who had kittens that needed homes. Tulip really clung to me more than anything, so I knew she was the one. – The cats live with my mum at the moment because they’re quite old and as Shadow is only four, he’s all in his bouncy, bouncy, bouncy time! But Mum only lives at the back of me, so I still see them all the time and they’re very happy. I give her money for their keep and I can go over whenever 😊
Rabo is actually my mum’s rabbit’s daughter. So Mum has a rabbit and her daughter has her rabbit’s daughter! Rabo has a cage in the house and she comes out when it’s just her and me.
Shadow is a rescue. I got him a few months ago from the ex-partner of a lass I worked with. She was going to ring the RSPCA, but I said no, I’ll take him.
My pets are so important to me – they’re my fur babies! I even had two bearded dragons once. I’m a caring person and I could never see an animal without a home. Even down the alleyways I’m looking at making some little huts so animals have somewhere warm to lie. I’m thinking about doing it in my back garden too.
If I didn’t have my animals, I don’t think I’d be able to cope with my mental health. Especially Shadow. He’s very clingy when I have my breakdowns. He and Rabo both know. When I’m chilled and relaxed, Rabo will just lie in her cage, but if I’m struggling, she sits right up.
I always put my animals first. Even when I go shopping, I buy their food first. And at home, they get their food before I get mine. That’s how important they are.
Vicki Rimini, Gainsborough