Paw-fect companions STARS & THEIR FURRY FRIENDS

These well-known pet owners and their cute critters give us the warm fuzzies!

- Rebekah Hebenton

Rebecca Wright & Rudy

Newshub presenter

Though he's a big dog with an equally loud bark, Rebecca Wright says her beloved wheaten terrier Rudy is one of the sweetest dogs she's ever met.

"Rudy has the most gorgeous nature. He's happy and relaxed, and I can take him anywhere, which I love! He's a very sweet and calming presence in our house."

Rebecca has always been an animal lover but fell in love with wheaten terriers the moment she laid eyes on one while enjoying a getaway on Auckland's Waiheke Island in 2014. She immediately put her name down with a breeder and not long after, Rebecca and her daughter Scarlett were elated to bring Rudy home.

The 42-year-old is so besotted with her pooch that when she moved to New York in 2017 as TVNZ's US Correspondent, she couldn't bear the thought of leaving him behind for three years, so brought him with her.

"While it felt a little crazy at the time, I loved having him there. It's a great city for a dog, and he got me out of the house in the heat and the snow for our daily walk around Central Park. I loved our morning walks they set the rhythm for the day."

When it comes to Rudy's favourite member of the family, Rebecca says there is no competition in that department. "It's me," she tells with a laugh. "He's a Mama's boy!"

Ben Boyce & Beau and Jono Pryor & Milo

The Hits Breakfast radio co-hosts

Though they are best friends, when Jono and Ben arrive at the Weekly photoshoot, it is the first time their pooches have met. Despite Samoyed Beau being three times the size of cavoodle Milo, after a quick sniff, the pair much like their owners are fast friends.

Ben has had pets his whole life, so when he welcomed daughters Sienna, now 13, and Indie, 10, with wife Amanda, he knew he wanted them to have the same joy of growing up with a dog.