“So Flo is the dog that I probably would never have chosen, and I think this is a really good example which I would say to people - when you’re thinking about bringing a rescue dog into your home, try to be as open-minded as possible and look beyond appearance, beyond breed and focus on personality,” says Dr Sam Gaines, Head of Companion Animals For the RSPCA.

“We got Florence about 10 years ago. At the time I had a four-year-old daughter. I also had a 40-kilogram Labrador-Mastiff cross and I’d say I’m quite a fan of big dogs.

"I knew that when I was bringing another dog into my home, I had to obviously be very considerate about the fact that I had a very young child and also another big dog.

"I work for the RSPCA, but I went through the whole selection process, and the dog who came out as a match to me was this seven-kilo little white Bichon Frise cross.

"My immediate response was: 'I’ve never had a small dog.'  But you know, it absolutely was the right decision for our family.

"When Flo came to live with us, she had a few little issues. She’d been found as a stray in London with a broken leg. We didn’t quite know how that had happened. But she came into our home, we worked through several behavioural issues with her and now she is just absolutely delightful. I could not imagine my life without her.

"My daughter is now nearly 14. The bond that they have is just incredible and something that I look at every day with great fondness.

"Flo has taught me - probably more than any dog - that it’s really important to look beyond preconceptions that you might have.

"She is the most huge amount of character packed into a very tiny body. I know a lot of people say that about small dogs, but she really is. She’s just such an amazing personality and I’m just so, so glad that she was the dog that we were matched to when we were looking.”

Have you welcomed a rescue pet into your home? Tell us about them and share a pic with us. We’d love to hear your story.

For more information go to www.rspca.org.uk