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Ringo is not only our "best friend", he is a family member. No matter what we do, he always shows his love for us. He was born the 3rd of December 2003 in Skien, Norway.

In the little booklet we received when we bought Ringo, the owner wrote the following (translated into English):

"I was delivered 6th of a total of 7. Unfortunately one of my sisters died during birth. It was a tight fit and I was coming out bottom first, so I had to get a little help before I started breathing on my own.

Weight at birth: 260 grams

Weight at 8 weeks: 4,750 grams

When I was 8 days old I opened my eyes and saw the the world for the first time. I have eaten well, and a little piece of cheese is my favorite snack.

I love sitting in someone's lap and being petted. And if I get the chance I rush into the house and lie down in the living room. By the way, I was the first to explore new things. ..."

Ringo and Ann-Louise trained agility when he was young, and they achieved the bronze level. He probably should have completed an obedience course first, but we never found the time. Here are some pictures of our sweet and lovable Ringo!

Our First Visit

4 weeks old at Ringo's birth home.

Six Weeks Old

Looking so very cute and loveable.

First Winter

Ringo and Bjørn-Eirik (7 years old).

First Winter

Safe in Ann-Louise's arms.

Running ...

With lots of energy.

Majestic

Hiking is fun.

In the Forest

With Grandma Gerda and Ann-Louise in the background.

All Tired Out

After a long hike.

Striking a Pose

Alert and charming.

Virtuoso

at the piano.

Attacking

the camera.

A Dog's Work

Is never done.

All Tired Out

Napping with Ann-Louise

Two Cuties

Playing in the snow.

Born:
June 18, 1996 in Oslo, Norway

School:
Currently attending NMBU, Norwegian University of Life Sciences; Master/Civil Engineer - Geomatics, started August 2015

Kongsberg High School, IB Diploma Program, Sciences (Kongsberg videregående skole), graduated 2015

Hobbies:
Watching and playing basketball, playing the guitar and piano, reading and hanging out with friends

WARNING: Written from a mother's point of view.

After Ann-Louise's rough start to life, I was wary of having another child. Ann-Louise, however, really did not want to be an only child. She talked constantly about her getting a "little sister". She was such a caring child, and we had prior to Ann-Louise's birth always talked about having at least 2 children, so we finally put our fears aside and decided to go for it.

Click on image for full-sized image.

I could tell you some interesting stories about his birth - including colorful details about me jumping out the birthing pool (I was foolishly determined to have a natural birth) - but I will keep it short. Bjørn-Eirik was a whopping 4,8 kilos (10.91 pounds)! His head was so big that they had to use forceps to get him out. He was delivered by the head obstrician, who claimed to have delivered all 6 of his children. He reminded me of a football coach. All that was missing were the cheerleaders. He was, however, assisted by several nurses almost sitting on my stomach and pushing for their lives. Except for a slightlig deformed head because of the use of forceps he was a healthy and beautiful baby boy. It didn't seem to bother Ann-Louise that she didn't get a little sister.

Despite being almost 5 years younger than Ann-Louise, Bjørn-Eirik always wanted to play with the older kids. He followed in his sister's footsteps as far as extra-curricular activities are concerned: played soccer for a little while, took riding lessons (dressage), took French Horn lessons and played basketball. Like his sister, he cut out everything except basketball (edit 09-14: has decided to take a break from basketball in order to focus on school). Although he quit the band and stopped taking French Horn lessons, music has continued to be an important hobby. I am, of course, biased but I think he is quite talented. He plays the guitar and piano and sings. We are really going to miss being entertained all of the time. I am, however, sure that the students at Ås will get to enjoy his talents the next five years and we will have to settle for being entertained when Bjørn-Eirik visits us.

Born:
September 14, 1991 in Trondheim, Norway

Current jobb:
Kongsberg Maritime, Engineer

School:
NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Master/Civil Engineer - Cybernetics and Robotics, 2010 - 2015

Kongsberg High School, Sciences (Kongsberg videregående skole, realfag), graduated 2010

Hobbies:
Playing basketball, working out (spinning, weight training, etc.) and hanging out with friends

WARNING: Written from a mother's point of view.

According to Parents, firstborns often tend to be:

Reliable

Conscientious

Structured

Cautious

Controlling

Achievers

Firstborns bask in their parents' presence, which may explain why they sometimes act like mini-adults. Firstborns are diligent and want to be the best at everything they do. They excel at winning the hearts of their elders.

Click on image for full-sized image.

Ann-Louise is all of these things and much, much more - again, in my perhaps somewhat biased opinion. She is a very loving and caring person and a very loyal and supportive daughter and friend. She is very hardworking and has achieved a lot. Perhaps one of her only weaknesses is that she sometimes lacks self-confidence and puts herself down.

Like me, she really enjoys basking in the sun. She has been a true companion (as I get older I will probably have to use a different word) the last three summers on our "girls only" trip to somewhere warm and sunny! Although she is still quite young, she has traveled farther than I have. In 2013 she traveled to Japan on a class trip and then spent some time afterwards in Thailand before returning to Norway.