The Petplan Pet Awards celebrate the unconditional love between pets and their owners. You've been nominating in your thousands and we've been blown away by your pets and their incredible stories.
We are delighted to announce the finalists and winners of the 2023 Petplan Pet Awards!
Name: Duke
Species: Dog
Age: 8 Years
Breed: Pointer
My husband and Duke went out for a walk while I stayed home to make lunch. I started hearing a noise at the front door and when I opened it Duke was there alone, my husband was not with him. Duke was really agitated, he didn't go straight to the kitchen to have his lunch as he normally does after the walk, he was jumping around and making noises.
I left the house with Duke to see if could find my husband, Duke kept agitating and pulling on the lead. I followed Duke and found my husband struggling to breathe. He was having a severe reaction, we guess to the pollens in the field, and his eyes were massively swollen and his asthma flared up. I ran home to fetch his inhaler and medication. We called 111 and they advised us to take him to the hospital.
Duke had left my husband, ran home and took me back to him. He crossed roads to come home by himself, was able to find the house and was able to know where my husband was. I was so amazed and at the same time scared and relieved. Duke was amazing!
Name: Jack
Species: Horse
Age: 22 Years
Breed: Cob
I purchased Jack at a young age and had the most amazing life with him for 10 years. He was diagnosed with arthritis and was given a 50/50 chance of recovering. Six months recovery and we were back in the saddle. A couple of years later he tore his suspensory which the vet was shocked at the size of the tear and was unsure of his recovery. Yet he bounced back again! Four years ago the worst news came that Jack had ringbone. He is a little fighter and has proven vets wrong on many occasions. He has battled through and never complained and still has to this day the best attitude to live life to the maximum.
He is the most loving and loyal horse with the most amazing personality and is a favourite on the yard. He knows how to turn a bad day into a great day.
Name: Blue Belle
Species: Dog
Age: 9 Years
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Blue Belle (Bella) has been a constant support over the last 2yrs while I've been struggling to take care of our other dog, Coco. Coco was diagnosed with epilepsy and she suffers frequent cluster seizures. What blows me away is how Bella suddenly stepped up, without any prompting or training, to help care for Coco. She instinctively alerts me if she thinks Coco is behaving oddly. She has, in effect, become my second pair of eyes and ears.
She has also started to assist Coco up and down the stairs. She knows how to use her body to block her and waits for Coco to take a step before Bella then takes a step.
I've always known that Bella was special but I never imagined she had such an amazing instinct to care and protect. To me, she is a God send and my personal hero!
Name: Jasper
Species: Dog
Age: 8 Years
Breed: Golden Retriever
I fought and survived an acute attack of Guillian Barre Syndrome; a sudden onset of full-body paralysis. Some of the symptoms I am left with are widespread pain and sudden collapsing episodes.
Jasper has received no specialist training but when I feel pain, he seems to want to lick my feet, arms, legs or even head! It has reduced my need for pain relief and seems to comfort us both. If I stop him licking before he calms me, he seems to fret and act fractious. I realised it’s because the more pain I feel, the more likely I’ll fall or collapse. I don’t have any warning for when I’m about to collapse but Jasper seems to know instinctively. If I do collapse he immediately sits next to me or even on me and licks and snuggles until the sensations return.
He must have saved me from falling and collapsing over 100 times. He’s amazing, I love him and appreciate him so very much!
Name: Jem
Species: Cat
Age: 15 Years
Breed: Crossbreed
Over the past few years, we noticed that Jem was trying to tell us something was wrong whenever my blood sugar levels went low or high. She will try and wake me up by tapping my face and walking on me, and she will meow until I respond. When she doesn’t get a response she will run to get my mum or sister. She will meow and run back and forth from them to me and will do so until they follow her. Jem will lay on me and stay with me until an ambulance arrives.
She is also able to sense when my mental health is getting bad. When a panic attack is starting or an autistic meltdown is occurring, Jem will jump straight into action and climb onto me. Her warmth and purring help to calm me down and bring me back to reality.
Jem is truly my hero, and I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for my little superstar.
Name: Duke
Species: Dog
Age: 8 Years
Breed: Pointer
My husband and Duke went out for a walk while I stayed home to make lunch. I started hearing a noise at the front door and when I opened it Duke was there alone, my husband was not with him. Duke was really agitated, he didn't go straight to the kitchen to have his lunch as he normally does after the walk, he was jumping around and making noises.
I left the house with Duke to see if could find my husband, Duke kept agitating and pulling on the lead. I followed Duke and found my husband struggling to breathe. He was having a severe reaction, we guess to the pollens in the field, and his eyes were massively swollen and his asthma flared up. I ran home to fetch his inhaler and medication. We called 111 and they advised us to take him to the hospital.
Duke had left my husband, ran home and took me back to him. He crossed roads to come home by himself, was able to find the house and was able to know where my husband was. I was so amazed and at the same time scared and relieved. Duke was amazing!
Name: Jack
Species: Horse
Age: 22 Years
Breed: Cob
I purchased Jack at a young age and had the most amazing life with him for 10 years. He was diagnosed with arthritis and was given a 50/50 chance of recovering. Six months recovery and we were back in the saddle. A couple of years later he tore his suspensory which the vet was shocked at the size of the tear and was unsure of his recovery. Yet he bounced back again! Four years ago the worst news came that Jack had ringbone. He is a little fighter and has proven vets wrong on many occasions. He has battled through and never complained and still has to this day the best attitude to live life to the maximum.
He is the most loving and loyal horse with the most amazing personality and is a favourite on the yard. He knows how to turn a bad day into a great day.
Name: Blue Belle
Species: Dog
Age: 9 Years
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Blue Belle (Bella) has been a constant support over the last 2yrs while I've been struggling to take care of our other dog, Coco. Coco was diagnosed with epilepsy and she suffers frequent cluster seizures. What blows me away is how Bella suddenly stepped up, without any prompting or training, to help care for Coco. She instinctively alerts me if she thinks Coco is behaving oddly. She has, in effect, become my second pair of eyes and ears.
She has also started to assist Coco up and down the stairs. She knows how to use her body to block her and waits for Coco to take a step before Bella then takes a step.
I've always known that Bella was special but I never imagined she had such an amazing instinct to care and protect. To me, she is a God send and my personal hero!
Name: Jasper
Species: Dog
Age: 8 Years
Breed: Golden Retriever
I fought and survived an acute attack of Guillian Barre Syndrome; a sudden onset of full-body paralysis. Some of the symptoms I am left with are widespread pain and sudden collapsing episodes.
Jasper has received no specialist training but when I feel pain, he seems to want to lick my feet, arms, legs or even head! It has reduced my need for pain relief and seems to comfort us both. If I stop him licking before he calms me, he seems to fret and act fractious. I realised it’s because the more pain I feel, the more likely I’ll fall or collapse. I don’t have any warning for when I’m about to collapse but Jasper seems to know instinctively. If I do collapse he immediately sits next to me or even on me and licks and snuggles until the sensations return.
He must have saved me from falling and collapsing over 100 times. He’s amazing, I love him and appreciate him so very much!
Name: Jem
Species: Cat
Age: 15 Years
Breed: Crossbreed
Over the past few years, we noticed that Jem was trying to tell us something was wrong whenever my blood sugar levels went low or high. She will try and wake me up by tapping my face and walking on me, and she will meow until I respond. When she doesn’t get a response she will run to get my mum or sister. She will meow and run back and forth from them to me and will do so until they follow her. Jem will lay on me and stay with me until an ambulance arrives.
She is also able to sense when my mental health is getting bad. When a panic attack is starting or an autistic meltdown is occurring, Jem will jump straight into action and climb onto me. Her warmth and purring help to calm me down and bring me back to reality.
Jem is truly my hero, and I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for my little superstar.
Name: Duke
Species: Dog
Age: 8 Years
Breed: Pointer
My husband and Duke went out for a walk while I stayed home to make lunch. I started hearing a noise at the front door and when I opened it Duke was there alone, my husband was not with him. Duke was really agitated, he didn't go straight to the kitchen to have his lunch as he normally does after the walk, he was jumping around and making noises.
I left the house with Duke to see if could find my husband, Duke kept agitating and pulling on the lead. I followed Duke and found my husband struggling to breathe. He was having a severe reaction, we guess to the pollens in the field, and his eyes were massively swollen and his asthma flared up. I ran home to fetch his inhaler and medication. We called 111 and they advised us to take him to the hospital.
Duke had left my husband, ran home and took me back to him. He crossed roads to come home by himself, was able to find the house and was able to know where my husband was. I was so amazed and at the same time scared and relieved. Duke was amazing!
Name: Jack
Species: Horse
Age: 22 Years
Breed: Cob
I purchased Jack at a young age and had the most amazing life with him for 10 years. He was diagnosed with arthritis and was given a 50/50 chance of recovering. Six months recovery and we were back in the saddle. A couple of years later he tore his suspensory which the vet was shocked at the size of the tear and was unsure of his recovery. Yet he bounced back again! Four years ago the worst news came that Jack had ringbone. He is a little fighter and has proven vets wrong on many occasions. He has battled through and never complained and still has to this day the best attitude to live life to the maximum.
He is the most loving and loyal horse with the most amazing personality and is a favourite on the yard. He knows how to turn a bad day into a great day.
Name: Blue Belle
Species: Dog
Age: 9 Years
Breed: Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Blue Belle (Bella) has been a constant support over the last 2yrs while I've been struggling to take care of our other dog, Coco. Coco was diagnosed with epilepsy and she suffers frequent cluster seizures. What blows me away is how Bella suddenly stepped up, without any prompting or training, to help care for Coco. She instinctively alerts me if she thinks Coco is behaving oddly. She has, in effect, become my second pair of eyes and ears.
She has also started to assist Coco up and down the stairs. She knows how to use her body to block her and waits for Coco to take a step before Bella then takes a step.
I've always known that Bella was special but I never imagined she had such an amazing instinct to care and protect. To me, she is a God send and my personal hero!
Name: Jasper
Species: Dog
Age: 8 Years
Breed: Golden Retriever
I fought and survived an acute attack of Guillian Barre Syndrome; a sudden onset of full-body paralysis. Some of the symptoms I am left with are widespread pain and sudden collapsing episodes.
Jasper has received no specialist training but when I feel pain, he seems to want to lick my feet, arms, legs or even head! It has reduced my need for pain relief and seems to comfort us both. If I stop him licking before he calms me, he seems to fret and act fractious. I realised it’s because the more pain I feel, the more likely I’ll fall or collapse. I don’t have any warning for when I’m about to collapse but Jasper seems to know instinctively. If I do collapse he immediately sits next to me or even on me and licks and snuggles until the sensations return.
He must have saved me from falling and collapsing over 100 times. He’s amazing, I love him and appreciate him so very much!
Name: Jem
Species: Cat
Age: 15 Years
Breed: Crossbreed
Over the past few years, we noticed that Jem was trying to tell us something was wrong whenever my blood sugar levels went low or high. She will try and wake me up by tapping my face and walking on me, and she will meow until I respond. When she doesn’t get a response she will run to get my mum or sister. She will meow and run back and forth from them to me and will do so until they follow her. Jem will lay on me and stay with me until an ambulance arrives.
She is also able to sense when my mental health is getting bad. When a panic attack is starting or an autistic meltdown is occurring, Jem will jump straight into action and climb onto me. Her warmth and purring help to calm me down and bring me back to reality.
Jem is truly my hero, and I wouldn’t be alive today if it wasn’t for my little superstar.
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