Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Ode To Nan

   If you've visited the farm any in the past few years you would normally find our three border collies eagerly lined up, anticipating the words 1, 2, 3, Go! and race each other down the green pastures. It was one of their favorite things to do outside together, next to herding sheep. If you was to visit the farm now, you would notice the dogs don't quite line up like they once did.
   Last Thursday we all awoke to our little Nan gone. She had died in the early morning hours, lying in the floor at mom's bedside. It was heartbreaking news to hear.
   Nan came to the farm three years ago this month. Though she had only spent a short time with us here, she made a huge impact on our lives. She quickly became mom's dog after Shadow, our sheltie passed two years ago. We all loved her from the minute we saw her. She was definitely different and really quite funny.
   To be a smaller border collie and be the "sweet" girl, you never would have imagined Nan to be the instigator. From pulling pizzas off the counter top, digging through the garbage can, and stealing throw pillows and stuffed animals. Nan had her own way about things. She loved going down to the creek where she would chase her own splashes. She loved playing frisbee and playing with the tennis ball. One time we lost her to the neighbor kids throwing a football back and forth, they quickly included her. Nan had a fascination with anything and everything small, lambs, puppies, kittens, babies and anything that resembled a ball. There are so many pictures to prove to my nephew Leeland when he gets older, how Nan loved and looked after him.

   We will miss her dearly. We'll miss those crazy eyes she'd get when she was in full border collie mode. Miss hearing her snore when she passed out from a long day of work.  Miss her running the floor in the milking parlor (she was the sheep warden during milking season).
Miss her running to hide every time the fly swat was pulled out. Miss her raising her leg with her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth every time we'd rub her belly. Miss her sitting on the gas pedal on the Kubota.  I'll even miss getting annoyed with her for jumping into the fence every time I went to lay a new one out for the sheep. Nothing compares though to the way I know that mom misses her. Our Sweet, Crazy Nan.
    As bad as I hurt for all of us, I know Jim and Eoghan miss her as well, she was their third amigo. The three musketeers. Nan was their friend, their playmate, a competitor, and their sister. Jim will miss her by his side running the fence line, barking everytime they thought the sheep were getting out of line. Eoghan will miss sharing the couch with her and her nipping at him as if telling him to quit biting the tires on the Kubota .
 
  A bond between a dog and their person can never be broken. Mom &Nan

 This is the picture we all received the day mom and dad got Nan. We were all excited to meet her. Dad & Nan 11/28/2010

   We could all tell that Nan was feeling bad on Wednesday, so we didn't push her to go outside but for her to rest and to hopefully feel better. With that being so, Nan still wanted to make one last trip to the pasture with her master that night. Little did we know, that would be our sweet little Nan's last run. Thurday morning, Nan was laid next to her brother Shadow under the oak tree. Some may disagree, but I know in my heart that God's got a special place for them in heaven and I know I'll see them again one day, tails waggin' and all.   Nan will always be remembered and we will cherish all the memories we have of her. As dad so sweetly wrote, "we just pray that if there are flocks of sheep in heaven, that you will be at the Good Shepherd's side keeping a watchful eye on all his Lambs. Good bye dear friend "
Shadow and Nan.

Nan 11/27/2002-11/07/2013
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" Matthew 5:4