Leading pet food brand EUKANUBA has released ‘A Pawfect Pair’, a children’s story book that celebrates the benefits of people living life together with their dogs.

The heart-warming story follows the adventures of EUKANUBA Live Life Well Together Ambassadors, 17-year-old Roxy Carr and her Cockapoo, Poppy, as they search for the important things in life – companionship and connection. 

By sharing their tale of dog ownership and the friendships they’ve encountered along the way, EUKANUBA hopes to inspire the next generation about the benefits of dog ownership and raise awareness of the special relationship they can experience by living life with a four-legged friend.

The story supports findings that dog ownership in Britain is trending younger than ever. According to a survey of 2,000 UK dog owners, 90% of Generation Z already own and are wholly responsible for their own pet dog by the age of 16, unlike their parents’ generation, where for over half, the dog was the family pet and responsibility of their parents. 

This survey also highlighted that the always on smartphone generation (born between 1996-2016) are suffering from a crisis of stress and social isolation, with depression, anxiety and loneliness the key pressure points. 

However, it seems there is a solution in man’s best friend as young Britons seek solace in their four-legged companions. In fact, the desire for companionship is driving pet ownership for almost half (46%) of dog owners between the ages of 16-19, while an overwhelming majority (84%) claim their dog provides vital emotional support to help them face every day stress and pressures.

Commenting on the activity, Kellie Ceccarelli, EUKANUBA’s Veterinary Expert says: “The survey results not only show that dog ownership is important to Britain’s youth, but also just how disconnected many young adults feel.

"At EUKANUBA, we’re passionate about helping owners of every age to live life well together with their dogs. While caring for a dog is a responsibility that should only be taken on by those who have the time and patience, the results highlight how powerful the connection between humans and dogs truly is, and how beneficial this relationship can be for positive mental health.”

This is one of the reasons why we created the book, ‘A Pawfect Pair’, to highlight the special bond between dog and owner, as well as showing what’s truly important in today’s fast paced world. By telling the inspiring story of Roxy and her friends on the EUKANUBA Ambassador Programme, we want to inspire pet owners of all ages to share a long healthy life with their dogs.”

The ‘Pawfect Pair’, Roxy and Poppy, are EUKANUBA Live Life Well Together Ambassadors. As part of this activity, Poppy, alongside four other beautiful dogs trialled EUKANUBA’s new and improved recipes for 12 weeks to see if the new formulae could help to improve their dogs’ optimal body condition.  The results clearly demonstrated the difference that EUKANUBA’s tailored life stage nutrition can make to dogs of all ages.

Retailers can find out more about the Ambassadors’ journeys at www.eukanuba.co.uk/ambassadors, where they will also find a digital copy of the children’s book available to download for free from January 2019. Shoppers can also be in with a chance of winning a FREE signed (hardcopy of the) book by visiting the EUKANUBA stand at Crufts 2019.