Is your dog Britain’s finest lockdown pet?
NEW ADDITION TO FAMILY HELPS THEM COPE WITH LOCKDOWN
DOGS have always been there for us, through the good times and the bad.
Their loyalty and unwavering love was essential during lockdown, as we came to terms with a new way of living.
Consequently, pet owners across the country found their dogs were bringing joy into their homes and lifting spirits during a very difficult time.
Andy and Clare Corser adopted a maltipoo called Bert on March 18, a few days before lockdown.
Andy, 29, said: “I have always wanted a dog, despite never having one of my own before.
“Clare is not really a dog person but her mum has a little cavapoo called Ernie and she loves him, so I knew she would love having a dog.
“I was right – she treats Bert like a baby!”
Clare, 28, said: “I do really like being able to look after something. It must be my maternal instinct.”
The couple went back and forth about getting a dog for more than a year and decided to take the plunge after returning from holiday in March.
They had done a lot of research and decided they wanted a poodle crossbreed – then fate intervened and they found Bert.
Andy added: “We planned to get a cavapoo like Clare’s mum’s dog but when we organised to visit the breeder we got the dates mixed up and all the cavapoos had been sold.
“Fortunately we saw the breeder also had maltipoos for sale and we ended up preferring Bert, so it was meant to be.”
Bert is now 17 weeks old and he has settled into life with Andy and Clare, embracing lockdown with the couple.
Clare added: “He has taken our mind off anything lockdown-related and lockdown has not been a chore for us at all, as I know others have really struggled.”
Andy agreed, saying: “We have really loved it.
“Bert is the reason we have enjoyed lockdown as when we take him for a walk we can really switch off after working from home.
“I enjoy having him around the house, although he does a lot of sleeping at the moment.”
Clare said: “It is also the unconditional love he gives you, he is so cute and loves us so much.”
Is your dog Britain’s finest lockdown pet?
We have teamed up with Butcher’s Nourishing Food For Dogs to honour the nation’s unsung heroes, reward them for helping us through tough times and celebrate all the lockdown love they have given us.
Whatever it is which makes your dog special, we want to hear all about it. You might want to send us a few words, or pen a couple of lines sharing your best memories of the last few weeks.
Or you might even want to write a short poem about your hero.
The competition is open now and the final chance to enter will be on Friday. More details at http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/lockdowndogheroes.