The Diary: Kiwi celebs and their furry friends

Rachel Hunter is just one of the Kiwi celebs who loves to share the exploits of her four-legged friends on social media.

Buddy Little, the feline upstart of aspiring Labour leader Andrew Little, stole the limelight last week in a photobomb escapade and rivaled Moonbeam Smokey Fluffy Key for the spot of New Zealand's Top Cat.

But spare a thought for the canines.

While Taylor Swift takes her cat Olivia Benson for "a walk" around NYC, man's best friend is getting a ruffff time for some attention. It's time we played up fido's best attributes.

1. They are great companions, and act as surrogate children for empty-nesters when the kids leave home.

2. They sleep nice and close to you. Too close sometimes.

3. They turn a blind eye to your more sartorially-challenged moments.

4. They guard and protect you, even watching over your meagre poker winnings.

5. They are there for you during your less-glamorous hours.

6. They like to be the first face you wake up to.

7. They'll let you use them as a bench press.

8. They will lie on the floor with you when there's a perfectly good sofa there that they use when you're not around.

Sitting still for 5 minutes x pic.twitter.com/fslJLpMTOO

— Suzanne Paul (@suzannepaulnz) August 18, 2014

9. They give kisses freely.

10. They like to play hide and seek.

11. They will share your passion for sport.

Our @ManukauPolice pup Kess is definitely a #WorldCup supporter. #poltwt #nzpolice pic.twitter.com/qvbW9YYLk8

— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) June 26, 2014

12. In fact, they'll watch 90-minutes of blokes running around in short shorts with a ball, just to be close to you.

13. When you're a shadowy figure who shuns the limelight, they provide a good empathetic image.

my new hunting dog Dave. pic.twitter.com/Ec2B33ib3t

— Simon Lusk (@SimonLusk) May 20, 2014

14. They are always happy to have you home. Even when they look nonplussed.

A rare morning at home, writing speeches and catching up on admin. Think Beau was happy to have me home! pic.twitter.com/Ou2Df5Alxp

— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) August 6, 2014

- nzherald.co.nz