It may be known to some and not known to others, but since 2004 I have suffered with depression. Medication is a choice, a choice which can only get you so far. Whilst medication has enabled me to live a "normal" life, exercise is also the other key to success, that and happiness, or "quality of life" as my dad says.

On a lovely holiday to Skiathos in July 2017, my fiance and I went to Skiathos dog shelter. There I met a lovely little girl, a little pointer/lab cross who at 8 weeks old had been abandoned under a car with her siblings at 2 weeks old.

She instantly took to my partner and I and for the rest of the day we both had a niggling feeling that we just couldn't leave without her.

So, as you can probably guess, we adopted her and In September 2017 she came to live with us in the UK.

She is a lovely little girl, who is so clever and friendly. She loves our cat Fudge and has adapted to her new home life amazing. She was the smallest in the pack, hence why we call her Minnie.

The truth is, there are many other "greekies" at Skiathos dog shelter who also need help. The shelter does an amazing job and you can tell how well our little Minnie was cared for before she came to us and they selflessly work around the clock to care for the dogs.

As told by a close friend, dogs are one of the only animals who care for you more than they care for themselves.

I would go as far to say that, along with my partner, Minnie has saved me.

So, I would like to raise money for the shelter by giving up alcohol for October 2017. Alcohol at one time was a coping mechanism, but now, with Minnie, SHE is my coping mechanism.

Please help me to raise money for the shelter and help other dogs like little Minnie, any amount will help greatly!

This has been hard to write, but there it is. Thank you.