Ladies and gentlemen, dear Carolyn, Georgina, Edwina and your families, our deepest sympathy to you all.
On behalf of the international community of Tibetan spaniel breeders, owners, breed clubs and associations we wish to convey to you our deepest condolences regarding Ann’s passing. We especially wish to present our sympathy on behalf of the Finnish Tibetan Spaniel Association. Ann was the only foreign lifetime honorary member and of very significant importance to our Association.
Ann’s daughters, family and friends have lost a mother, grandmother and a caring, trustworthy friend.
The canine world has lost a passionate breeder, judge, author and individual of great influence. Ann was known worldwide for her work in breeding and was valued highly in her own country and abroad.
Ann was the world’s most well known and respected Tibetan spaniel breeder. To own a Braeduke Tibetan spaniel was and still is like owning a crown jewel, they are so valued in the world. Ann was extremely careful as to where her puppies went and was interested continually in their growth, success and well being their entire lives. Ann was always delighted to hear news of them and always remembered well her dogs and their pedigrees. Braeduke Tibetan spaniels have had a great influence on the Tibetan spaniel population of the world. At this point in time 91 Braeduke Tibetan Spaniels have completed champion titles.
Jouni:
We met Ann for the first time the 20th of February 1998. During these years we have been honoured to import five beautiful Tibetan Spaniels from Ann. Four of them have completed their Champion titles. Ann also helped us to import four more Tibbies from the United Kingdom; naturally these four are carrying the Braeduke bloodlines.
Since Ann’s first stay at our home, she has continually given us her friendship, advice and support. Ann was an observing and caring friend to us. I remember after a time we had gotten to know each other, our cultural differences learned, (In Nordic countries it is our way to leave our shoes at the door, and not use them inside) I had been sitting at Ann’s feet during the evening. Unknown to me Ann had noticed that my sock had a hole in it. The next morning when I woke, behind the door of our room I found many pairs of socks, in tens of different colours for me to choose from. To me this signified such a degree of caring thoughtfulness, we will always remember this kindness, this thoughtfulness, and we are ever grateful for it.
Our Friendship with Ann grew fast and quite deep. We found common ground not only in dogs, but in gardening, plants and fish. In October of 2002 Ann decided to give into our care, her lifetime’s work of collecting information and archives of the Tibetan spaniel breed. This included a huge photographic collection, manuscripts, drawings, research documents, articles, bits and bobs, literally everything and anything to do with Tibetan Spaniels. Ann’s wish was that this lifetime of work, in collecting and gathering all this information would in some way or another benefit the breed.
It was agreed that we would decide the best way to use this massive collection of material. Ann suggested that we work together to finish and publish her final book. We both agreed that nothing would be more appropriate than to use Ann’s collective photos in her book. For weeks we spent, morning to late night, we sat for hundreds of hours in The Red House and went from picture to picture, every scrap and article, through every bit of material.
Ann’s last book is called ‘The Tibetan Spaniel’ and it will be published and released next year. Ann will never see the finished book. At the same time with this book we have been preparing the next work, which will be finished in the year 2008, and its name will be ’Ann Wynyard and the Braeduke Tibetan Spaniels’. We hope that these books will carry Ann’s legacy and her tremendous life’s work will be seen through them.
Ann was many things to us; Fellow breeder and professional but also a very close friend, advisor and shoulder in time of need. Three and a half weeks ago while on the phone with Ann, we agreed that we would come to the Red House before Christmas for a quick visit. The reason for this visit was to choose a cover for the book. Now, unfortunately we must choose it without Ann. Ann ended our last phone call with these words: ‘Love to you both.’
We say now to Ann for the last time, ‘We love you forever.’
* Pertti Marjomaan ja Jouni Seppäsen muistopuhe Ann Wynyardin siunaustilaisuudessa 5.12.2006.
Ann Lindsay Wynyard
7th January, 1929 - 26th November, 2006
Photo: Jouni Seppänen©
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.
Canon Henry Scott Holland 1847 - 1918
