Meghan Markle celebrated her 40th birthday on Wednesday and to mark the occasion, her foundation Archewell released a video of the Duchess in conversation with actress Melissa McCarthy. Meghan discusses her new "40x40" initiative, which aims to help women around the world get back to work. In the video, Meghan can be seen at her desk with a rather adorable dog in the background.

       The Duchess' love for animals is well-documented, and she has been a patron of animal charity Mayhew for several years.

       But as well as helping dogs through her charitable work, Meghan has owned several dogs over the years too.

       Meghan previously had two dogs when she was residing in Canada as an actress before becoming a member of the Royal Family.

       Dog enthusiast Meghan was known to refer to her dogs as "my loves" and "my boys".

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       Meghan had a Labrador-German Shepherd cross called Bogart, who previously appeared in snaps on Meghan's now-deleted Instagram account.

       However, Meghan reportedly made the difficult decision to leave Bogart with her friends in Canada when she moved to the UK a few years ago.

       The decision to leave Bogart in Canada was thought to be because he was too old to make the long plane journey to the UK.

       However, Meghan's beagle Guy, who lived with Meghan in Canada, did accompany her to the UK.

       Currently, Meghan and Prince Harry are thought to have two dogs at their home in Montecito, California.

       Meghan's beagle Guy moved with the Sussexes from the UK to the US when they left their senior royal roles behind in 2020.

       Meghan and Harry have also adopted a black Labrador thought to be named Pula, a name with a special sentiment for the Sussexes.

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       Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand explained Pula's name choice in their book, Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family.

       Pula is the official currency of Botswana, and the word means 'rain' in Setswana.

       Harry and Meghan visited Botswana in the early stages of their relationship, and the country is known to hold a special place in their hearts.

       Since moving to their mansion in California, Meghan and Harry's dogs have made some cameos in interviews.

       The dogs have likely been great companions for the Sussexes while they have spent more time at home during the pandemic.

       Earlier this year, Meghan spoke about how pets have been important to many people throughout the crisis, as well as the important role of her patronage Mayhew.

       She said: “Over the last year, each of us has felt the profound effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic.

       "Be it the loss of a loved one, the health challenges far too many faced, or the disproportionate life changes everyone has experienced, it has been an overwhelming process of grief, growth and also of gratitude.

       “I have heard from so many of you about the impact of having a pet with you at home during the isolation of lockdown; you have mentioned the therapeutic effect of having your animal by your side and the solace and comfort you found in their company.

       “This effect is something Mayhew strives to deliver day in and day out to people throughout the UK and beyond."