I always seem to end up with three dogs, no matter how I start out. Three is the magic number for me.

We believe in dog diversity: we have a big sweet Yellow Lab (Zinnia), an intense and moody border collie named Fate, and a loving but ferocious hunter in Boston Terrier Bud.

Although Fate likes to snarl if the other dogs get too close, she always gets over it and the three often sleep on the living room floor nose to nose.

It’s rare for them to sit still if I get up near them, but they were all worn out last night and stayed quiet until I could get into position.

Three is almost a pack, but not quite. I can get some alone time with each dog, which is essential for good training. This is a great dog lineup for me and Maria.

Zinnia is my dog, she hangs out with me. Fate is Maria’s dog,  she hangs out in her studio, Bud is a family dog, he is happy as long as someone – anyone – is scratching his head.