Mini dachshund is Basingstoke Gazette Pet Idol 2021

Sixteen-month-old Sidney got most votes and emerged as the winner among 337 pets who we featured in our list of finalists.

Her human parents are Katy Cruickshank and partner Matt Ellis.

Feeling proud of her dog, Katy thanked Sidney for being a little ray of sunshine and the light of their lives who kept the couple smiling through the hard times of the pandemic.

Katy, a secondary school teacher, added that it was indeed the lockdown that brought them together.

“My partner has been asking for a dog for probably about four years of our relationship. It’s always been a ‘no’ from me because we both work.

“And when lockdown happened and the schools were shut, I thought if we were ever going to, this is the best time to finally give in and get a puppy.

“We found her online at a breeder in Southampton. We went to see her when the restrictions eased and finally picked her up in May 2020.”

Sidney with Katy Cruickshank and partner Matt Ellis

Being a teacher, the 29-year-old said it has been lovely to have Sidney around as a company while working from home.

“The lockdown was horrible because I used to have people around me all the time. Having Sidney, kind of made it so much more bearable.

“Also, getting her meant that we could go out and spend time outdoor, exercising and getting fresh air. It helped our health a bit more. But little does she know that she has been helping her as much as we are looking after her.

“She does the funniest things and brings us so much joy. We laugh so much watching her.”

Sidney is 16 months old

Being a lockdown puppy, Sidney is incredibly needy.

“She loves spending time with us whenever she possibly can.

“She had a pivot at the beginning when we first got her. I think it was a sign of protest that ‘I will sit on your lap, and only your lap’. When we are working, she would come up and sit on our laps. If you got a phone in your hand, she puts her nose under to move it out of way, because your attention has to be on her.

“Sometimes when I work on my laptop, sitting on my sofa, she comes and literally lays her head across the keyboard, just so that she would be a part of it.

“She loves being the centre of attention.”

Sidney loves being the centre of attention

Katy’s students, friends and family are also very fond of Sidney.

She crashes in during Katy’s online classes. Her students always ask about her and checks what’s she up to.

Katy’s niece is obsessed with Sidney and has her own miniature toy dachshund named Sidney, which she carries around with her.

Sidney lives with Katy and Matt in Basingstoke.

She will be presented with a £50 voucher.