Louisa Grimsdell lives in Northern Ireland, with her husband.
In 2021 he decided to enlist in the army, a decision that often takes him away on missions around the world.
The dream dog
Often alone for weeks or even months at a time, Louisa decided to take matters into her own hands.
She found a Golden Retriever puppy, the dog of her dreams when she was a little girl.
Willow soon brought a smile back to Louisa's face, at a time when she was finding it very difficult without her husband at home.
A year after Willow's arrival, a friend asked the dog lover to look after her Pit Bull Terriers. Louisa happily agreed, and quickly noticed how much Willow enjoyed spending time with her four-legged friends.
Two new arrivals
Her mother then suggested that she adopt another dog, to which Louisa gladly agreed.
She visited the local animal rescue, but they had no Golden Retrievers in need of new homes.
Then, as if it were meant to be, she stumbled across a post about Oscar, a Retriever puppy in need of a new home.
She immediately arranged to visit the pup at the rescue centre where he was being looked after.
"When we arrived at the shelter, Oscar was so scared, and he didn't even look like a retriever at that point. But we knew he was going to come home with us", Louisa explained.
While still on site, Louisa learned that Oscar was not alone. His sister was also up for adoption, and she wanted nothing more than to stay with her brother.
In a matter of days, Willow went from being an only child to the eldest sister of three. And while it may have taken the trio several days to settle in, they are now the best of friends.
Louisa's husband Cameron returned from his mission to find three dogs at home. But fully aware of his wife's loving nature, he said he "wasn't surprised" that his partner had adopted two puppies in the time he'd been away.
