Mabel is the Golden Doodle who turned my world around, and the star of my bestselling memoir, For the Love of a Dog.

I took her on as an eight-week-old puppy in the aftermath of bereavement and heartbreak, against all the well-meant advice of friends who warned me not to give up my freedom. What followed — the daily ups and downs, the false starts, the small triumphs of training and caring for a dog — became the unexpected story of an emotional recovery. Mabel shone like a light throughout: mischievous, endearing, and as affectionate as she is glorious.

These days she has a devoted following of her own — follow @amanda_and_mabel_brookfield on Instagram.