Pippin's person Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Tansy came to us from Great Lakes Border Collie Rescue in February 2005. My spouse (known here as grenzehund) fell in love with her picture, met her at a meet and greet and brought her home soon after that. From the moment they met, grenzehund and Tansy were soulmates, with a deep and abiding respect, admiration and love for one another that was a joy to witness for the 9+ years I got to witness it. Tansy was "working" bred (probably a bit more of a BYB but she had ABCA papers), sold as a puppy to a non-working home. She lived her first years in a backyard pen, watching cars zoom past on the Interstate Highway. As far as we could tell, she had no contact with people beyond the single woman who owned her. This remained apparent for her entire life, though she tolerated most everyone she was asked to (except she never did come around to grenzehund's father). The lovely woman who fostered her brought her to someone who gave herding lessons (an all-breed AKC trainer). Both of them burst into tears seeing Tansy on the sheep because for the first time they could see that something in the world made sense to this dog. We were so touched by that story that we promised to keep bringing her there so she could work the sheep. Little did we know how profoundly that agreement and this dog would alter our lives. Not only did we end up fostering many dogs into new lives thanks to Tansy, we also became immersed in the world of stockdogs, moving from the AKC trainer to a USBCHA trainer, adding dogs to our pack, buying a small farm, tending a small flock of sheep. Tansy drove just about every major life decision we made as a family from the moment we brought her home. She was the definition of a heart dog. I hope everyone (myself included) gets to have a relationship with an animal like the one grenzehund and Tansy shared. And even though she wasn't my heart dog, my heart was every bit as rapt as if she were. We will miss her terribly, wish her Godspeed, and thank her from the depth of our souls for leading us on such a merry ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom of Mya Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Such a wonderful story, God speed Tansy. Thank you for giving her and all your other fosters such a wonderful chance at a good life. I am sure you all touched her heart as much as she touched yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlyQ Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 A life well spent. It's so wonderful to think that she was what inspired you to save all those fosters' lives. It's amazing how dogs can flip our worlds. A beautiful dog and a beautiful story. I am touched by this dog I have never met before. Rest in peace, Tansy. Mourning with your people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy in AZ Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 What a wonderful journey you took each other on. It always amazes when I reflect on the twists and turns our lives have taken as a direct result of our devotion to, and passion for these dogs. RIP Tansy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvw Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Robin, what a beautiful tribute! I completely understand how one dog can change lives! Run on Tansy. Please give Susan my condolences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Tansy had a lot of love and a lot to be proud of, what she accomplished with you two. Her story resonates; Daisy came to us as a rescue in January 2005, and like Tansy, she led us into the world of border collies. Tansy had a lot of soul in her brown eyes. I'm so very, very sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcv-border Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 RIP Tansy. I loved your story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airbear Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 What a lovely tribute to a dog that changed your lives. Because of Tansy, I got to know you, and Zac and Scout, and isn't it crazy how a little black and white dog started it all? Run free, Tansy. You will be missed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentleLake Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 What a moving story for what must have been an absolutely wonderful dog. She must be leaving a very big hole in your lives. Thanks so much for giving Tansy a great home and a great life, and for allowing her to take you on a journey that would touch so many more lives. Sincere condolences from my Tansy and me. roxanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMP Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 That was a fabulous, well-told story. Made me tear up in that good way. I had my first BC for 18 years and she too changed everything about my life and triggered many a major life decision. Every dog I have had since then walks a little in her shadow. Thanks for sharing. My profound sympathies for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushdoggie Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Beautiful story. Its especially hard to lose a heart dog, no matter how old. Good girl and run free, Tansy. Gentle hugs to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin's person Posted July 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Thank you everyone for your kind words. It is amazing how such a little being (she only weighed 28 lbs!) can have such a monumental place. I love all of the people we've met and places we've been thanks to Tansy helping us forge the path. Here's another picture of her with a pretty sweet backstory: Every year the rescue has a picnic and does various competitions and such. Tansy was always far too shy to join in, but one year the contest was for the best kisses. Tansy wouldn't join in, but she showed what she had just outside the gate! The "judge" caught the act and gave her an award even though she wasn't in the competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rufftie Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 when we adopt them, we always think how much we are changing their lives, for the better, when in truth, it is they who are changing our lives in ways we would have never imagined! well done Tansy, well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 So very sorry to hear this. I am grateful you had each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alchemist Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I always try to avoid this section, because it makes me cry. But I know Tansy was a dog in a million. My heart goes out to you and yours, and I'd like to repeat the deepest condolences I already offered on FB. And now everyone go out and give your dogs a BIG hug - this made three "heart dogs" that I know of that were lost in less than a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mdaniels Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 That was one of the most touching tributes I've ever read. I'm so sorry for your family's loss. Godspeed Tansy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 I'm editing this post -- I originally misidentified the dogs in the picture. This is Tansy's pack -- she led the way for these wonderful border collies coming to live in a great home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin's person Posted July 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Jan, thanks for posting those pics! That speckle face is actually Pippin, though (and you're right, not shy at all). Tansy from the front looked like the pic below (I think you met her too, but she was exceedingly hard to get a picture of--really had to trick her into it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShoresDog Posted July 3, 2014 Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 Whoa, I'm sorry, Robin. So much for my memory. I've confused who was who in those pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin's person Posted July 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2014 No worries at all (esp. because that's one of my favorite pictures of Pippin--who is also grieving the loss of her friend. She's being unusually sweet and snuggly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maralynn Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 I'm so sorry. Those little dogs can leave behind the biggest holes. Thanks for sharing her story - what an amazingly special dog who ended up in just the right family. Run free, sweet Tansy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gideon's girl Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 What a great story of a dog that changed the world. You know it's a better place because she was in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G. Festerling Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Amazing for us to be blessed enough to recognize their gift. Godspeed Tansy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cody & Duchess Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 So sorry for your loss, may the wonderful memories bring smiles to your heart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloria Atwater Posted July 4, 2014 Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Though I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat at her passing, I'm so very glad she led you on such a transforming and wonderful journey. Surely the journey you and grenzehund led her on was one of pure joy. Thank you for sharing her with us. ~ Gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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