Now, you may be thinking about the possible downsides (like negotiating with the kids about poop patrol!) and it is of course important to think very carefully about it. In the meantime, read my advice on 10 things you should know before you get a family dog, but here are some reasons why having a family dog has really been a blessing for our family:

The children are learning to be more responsible about their pet; now they have someone else that’s part of their lives and that they promised you they would look after.

They may need reminding once in a while (not everyone volunteers straight off to do poop patrol!) but it’s true they are responsible now. They enjoy the care taking and it’s great to see them take that responsibility.

Having a dog has definitely made us more active especially when the weather isn’t so great – you can’t use the excuse of “oh it’s raining I won’t bother” because the dog needs the walk.

And it’s brought us together as a family to be active together doing something as well.

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The greeting from our dog whenever anyone in the family walks in the door is so pleasing it makes you smile every time. Our dog literally waggles his bottom in delight when he sees us; he jumps up and licks you even if it’s only been 5 minutes since you went away!

If anyone has an argument then they head straight to bury their nose in the dog’s fur and calm down.

I’ve heard that having a pet lowers the blood pressure, I can believe that now.

When he cuddles up and snoozes on your lap and is so sweet it makes you feel so good. There’s something about a furry warm thing to cuddle.

If you work from home like me, it’s nice to have company during the day. He curls up on his mat in my home office beside me while I work and comes with me to the kitchen while I make my 2nd cup of coffee.

Before I had a dog I might admire a dog from a distance but I would never go up and find out about it and chat to the owner.

Now we have met some amazing dogs and chatted to people that we wouldn’t normally have. It is like getting membership into a big club you never realised was there.

Dogs love playing and running and having fun. They are never happier than when you are throwing a ball to them or playing a game of tug with them.

And wait until you take them for a walk and they meet another dog, and you’re wondering will they or won’t they like this new dog, I tell you life can’t be dull.

Dogs do funny things. Our puppy cocks his head and almost bats his eyelids when you mention the W word. And when you see him literally leaping on all fours across a field you just can’t help laughing.