Interview: Winston

Pets, they’re your best friend and confidant. Big or small, fluffy or a bit scruffy, it doesn’t matter, we love them all. They’re there for you unconditionally and the feeling is mutual. Our interview series celebrates this special bond between animals and hoomans. Let the awws begin.

Doggo: Winston (1 year old miniature smooth coat dachshund)

Aka: Winnie, Sausage, Silly Sausage and Noodle

Home: Wales, UK

When I finished university I decided it was time to get a sausage dog. I've wanted one for about 10 years. When I was a child, my hairdresser had a sausage dog and she used to let her sit on my lap while she cut my hair and I fell in love with them from then on.

I thought I wanted a black and tan sausage dog but when I saw Winston (a chocolate and tan) I thought he was so beautiful and I fell in love with him straight away.

To be honest, I don't even remember where his name came from. I've just always wanted a sausage dog and I've always known that I would call him Winston. I think it definitely suits his personality though. It's a very strong name and he's a very stubborn and strong-willed dog.

Winston can be very needy and loves attention. He is very playful and enjoys being outdoors playing fetch or tug-of-war with one of his rope toys. He can be shy sometimes, especially around bigger dogs, and it takes him a while to feel comfortable around them. He has the most loving and loyal personality and loves nothing more than cuddling up on the sofa at the end of the day and getting some much-deserved belly rubs.

Winston has the loudest snore I've ever heard from a dog (he actually sounds like a human). When he's asleep on my lap at the end of the day, it's sometimes hard to hear the TV properly because his snoring is that loud but it never fails to make me chuckle and I find it really adorable.

It was really hard to choose one thing that I love most about Winston, because there are so many things that I love about Winston but I think my favourite thing is how happy and affectionate he always is. It's so hard to be unhappy when I'm around him because he's just the cutest bundle of joy.

My life has definitely changed since getting Winston. He never fails to make me happy and coming home after work and seeing him so excited to see me can make any bad day a million times better.

I've definitely become a stereotypical dog-mum, Winston is my fur-baby and I definitely spoil him (although I always say that there's no such thing as a spoilt dog, just a well-loved one) and want him to be happy. I never want to go anywhere without him anymore (our weekend trips and activities are now planned around our ability to take Winston with us). But I honestly wouldn't have it any other way. He's definitely changed our lives for the better and I love having him in our lives.

Follow Winston and watch him grow up on Instagram here.

#QuickFetch with Winston

Favourite hooman: Either mum or dad (depending on who gives him the most treats that day).

Favourite animal friend: His roommate, Jess, a six year-old cat who is Winston's best buddy and is always really patient with him even though he can sometimes annoy her a bit.

Favourite toys or games: His favourite toy is a rope toy with a ball on the end. He loves playing tug-of-war with us.

Favourite food or snack: CHEESE!!

Prefers to be naked or dressed up: It depends on his mood. He prefers to be naked most of the time but loves wearing a bandana or bowtie occasionally.

Likes: Napping, sunbathing, finding sticks, running on the beach or through long grass, riding in the car...and did I mention cheese already?!

Dislikes: Rain and bath time.

If Winston was a hooman, he would be…This was really tough and I couldn't think of a human that fit Winston's personality. He's just so unique! But I definitely think he thinks he's some sort of prince or something so I could see him as a human sitting on a throne and being waited on.