Our Dog, Amber.

Amber is our bernese mountain dog. Up until two and a half years ago the idea of getting a dog had never occurred to Justin and I. We were working on the principle that we had 6 children keeping us more than busy and so didn't need animals too to add to the mix. However we hadn't reckoned on the strong opinions of our 6 children at that time. The longer we're parents the more we understand how each of our children are their own person with their own ideas and often these ideas are completely different to what Justin and I may think or have expected. It's like when we were having the discussion between ourselves about whether to go with the goats idea. A few years ago we had made the assumption, based on our own childhoods, that the children would like to be able to kick a football around the garden and so in each of our gardens which have been big enough (we've moved a lot of times!), we've always kept the main bit of grass relatively clear for ball games, even going so far in this house as to put up a goal.  However that assumption doesn't actually apply to our own children as none of them at this time are that bothered with ball games and when asked all said they would much rather give the space over to animals, a passion they all seem to share, hence now half the garden is taken over with stock fencing! Also we are trying to listen to the children and realise trying to impose our ideas on them restricts their development. Going with the flow also works better than planning too much!

Anyway the long and short of it back then was that nearly 2 years ago we brought home Amber, an 8 week old bernese mountain dog puppy. 

 It was a bit of a baptism of fire as we had no hands on experience to fall back on, just what we had read in books. Justin and I would be looking at dog training clips on You Tube once the children were in bed to try and figure out the best way to deal with whichever issue had come up that day. We muddled through though and fortunately she has developed into a wonderful family dog, helped also by finding a dog trainer who has become a family friend and all round lifesaver!

 All the children adore Amber, she is their playmate, their comfort when they are mad or sad and a protector of us all. She is so gentle and tolerant of even the most exuberant of young children.

Having a dog also gets us up and about, whatever the weather, and is a great discipline. Anna and I (and occasionally Beth or Caitlin) go walking each morning between 7 and 8 and it is a great way to start  the day before getting lost in the general chaos that is our daily life! Having the responsibility of their animals really sets the rhythm of the children's day and it's great to see them develop the self discipline to get up early when they don't need to for school.