Got the January blues? Banish them with these pictures from the latest entries to the T&A's Pet of the Year competition. We have flooded with entries to the contest - whose closing date was yesterday - and our hearts have been warmed by all the amazing stories you have told as to why you love your pets.

You sent pictures of much-loved animals including cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and even a horse. They made us smile, and I hope they make you smile too.

Here are some of your stories:

Carrie Talbot-Ashby and Arthur

“Our pup Arthur is part of the family, and he has helped my son so much since we got him. My son has suffered from mental health problems and anxiety since losing his friend and two other family members in quick succession. Tthis left my son very down, nothing would pick him back up, until Arthur came along. He picks everybody up, makes everyone smile, and gets us out and about exercising. He is definitely the best medicine we could have.”

Katrina Wilson and Gilly

“Gilly was previously a resident at a cat rescue shelter where I volunteered with my son. She was an adorable cute little fluffy bundle with a particularly long fluffy tail. My son desperately wanted to adopt her but I said we weren't currently looking for another cat as we already had one at home. Gilly was soon adopted and went off to her new home, much to our disappointment. Only a couple of weeks later, she was admitted to a vet and needed extensive surgery for injuries she had sadly sustained from her new owner. “After emergency surgery and amongst other procedures, she had most of her tail amputated. We volunteered to have her at home with us for recuperation rather than be returned to the shelter which would have been more stressful for her. We could also administer her medication and take very good care of her wound. An RSPCA case ensured and justice was served quite swiftly, but for Gilly, her recovery both physically and emotionally would take much longer. She had understandably, psychological issues, and was very reluctant to trust humans. But with patience and perseverance, we now have a very content little cat - who, although wary of strangers is very trusting of us. She is our world.”

Kieran Torbuck and Ginger

“Ginger was sadly abandoned along with the rest of her litter at just a few weeks old. Knowing our love for animals, a friend who found them in a roadside bush but did not know what to do asked my wife and I to help. After finding a home for all her brothers and sisters (some very nearby), we simply couldn't let Ginger go. She was the only one of her colour in the litter and just the cutest pup we'd ever seen. Six months later we were so pleased we kept her. She is incredibly playful which does wind our cats up a bit but she is just the happiest, sweetest dog and totally full of love.”

Jenny Harlow and Max

“We'd been looking for a puppy for a while to join our family when I came across a litter of puppies on a farm. We had to go and take a look. I went with my four-year-old son went to see them. There were two that I really liked but I couldn't decide. Fortunately Max decided for us - the whole hour we were there he didn't leave my son's side and followed him everywhere. They formed an immediate connection and bond. Max came home with us the same day and has been by my son's side every day since. Max has brought such love and happiness into our family and has helped to support my son in more ways than I thought possible. I am so proud of Max.”

Ann-Marie Chandler and Shadow “My son wanted a cat desperately but I wouldn’t let him have a pet until he was old enough to look after one himself. When we brought her home, he asked his school friends to vote on the best name for her - she is Shadow by name and she is Shadow by nature, she follows us around everywhere.”

Rachel Walsh and Cat

“Cat is the funniest, most uncat animal you will meet! Anything a cat should do.. cat doesn’t! Anything cats should hate.. cat loves! He is so funny and makes us laugh and smile all the time - no matter how dirty he is we still have time for lots of cuddles.”

Nicola Godfrey and Willow

“I’ve wanted a dog of my own for years, but my mum was always against it and as I live with her, it was out of the question. So much so that I gave up asking. Then the news showed a lottery winner saying how he would spend the money and mum asked me what I’d do. I knew straight away, that I would buy a house up the road and have a dog. Mum started crying. I thought ‘I’m only moving up the road, it’s not a big deal’. She mumbled through tears “I could have a dog” and it didn’t register. Turns out that she had been thinking about letting me have a dog for years but never let me know. “Willow is more than a pet to me, she’s my best friend and gives me a reason to get out of bed each morning. I live with chronic pain, due to disease of the spine, which affects every part of my daily life, physically and mentally. So being excited to get out of bed each morning is huge for me.”

Esther Shevlin and Judy “It's been just over two years since our last dog died, so we decided the time was right to seek a new friend .Judy has brought smiles to our faces she is one big bundle of energy. She was 20 days-old when we first met her and she has brought joy to our hearts, especially when I come home from work and her little tail keeps wagging and she jumps up to say hello.”

Amy Halliday and Teddie

“I turned 40 last year - we had been trying for a baby since 2016 but had six miscarriages in that time - all under consultant care, all unexplained. We would’ve been happy with boy or girl but as my husband has two girls we had a dream of a baby, Teddie - we decided 40 was our limit as couldn’t take any more heartache. Fast forward to my birthday and hubby brings baby Teddie home - she’s my absolute world - she’s saved me in more ways than she’ll ever know and has completed us.” Tracey Ryder, Simba and Nala “We rescued Simba and Nala from some children who were throwing them around. We brought them home and they made friends with our three cats and we all loved them. We couldn’t part with them as they are so loving. They are part of our family and we dote on them.”

Nicci Cowdell-Murray and Skyla

“Our elderly whippet died in September and our Borzoi Lzzy was absolutely lost without her friend , as were we as a family . We wanted another sighthound, then saw a little saluki pup which was quite a way away but decided we would wait for her once she was ready. She has totally changed our other dog, who was really upset, and she has been a new friend to our eight-year-old daughter too.”

Anna Bettis and Leon

“Leon is a very special dog. He has been so brave recently. We adopted him three years ago in Lanzarote when his owner sadly died. He has been my best pal ever since. We decided to move back home to the UK last year and so Leon had to brave a long flight. The day was a drama and the airport on arrival was shut down. I’ve never worried so much in my life. When we were able to pick him up he was so happy so see us and so content and amazed to have a life in England. Much more interesting for him here, more to see and smell than Lanzarote sand. Here he is keeping warm after a life of sun.”

Sam Macaree and Shia

“I adopted Shia and his brother, Siege, from Battersea in 2018 when they were 11 weeks old. Like typical boys, they played and fought.

“Shia is quite shy and isn't a fan of being touched much, unlike his brother, and is definitely not a lap cat. On Easter Sunday 2021, Siege was killed by a car. As soon as Shia came home from an adventure that day, he got on my lap and settled. It was exactly what I needed, he just seemed to know.

In October 2021, Shia went missing for a week, it was the longest week of my life. We think he got trapped somewhere after having been hit by a car, and then somehow dragged himself home when freed. Despite having multiple fractures and hip joint luxation, he had an operation to fix his injuries and is still recovering now. I'm so thankful to have him home.”

Megan Bailey and Gus

“I have always wanted a dog and my parents wouldn't let me until I got my own home. I had been searching for several months and then I came across a gamekeeper in the Peak District advertising puppies for sale. I viewed the photograph and immediately fell in love with one of the golden labs - he took to me straight away and fell asleep in my arms,  whereas another one I handled didn't want to know and was struggling to get away! Gus means the world  to me and I can't imagine life without him. I love him so much and it would break my heart if anything happened to him. He has really helped me through the past 12 months both physically and mentally."