Danie Pitre
THE AQUINIAN
In a tribute to her friend and mentor Elisabeth Mann Borgese, Dr. Kathleen McConnell recounts her six years as the Hundefräulein (Dog Nanny) for the late ocean activist. The Hundefräulein Papers is both a memoir and a biography expressed through poems, emails, art and prose like a time capsule.
“I had a couple people say to me that they wished I would write a memoir in prose but I find I can say what I mean more clearly in poetry.” McConnell said. “It’s a bit of a crossover book though, because it’s a collection of poems but if you read it from beginning to end you get sort of a sense of the arch of our relationship.”
McConnell was hired to watch Mann Borgese’s house in Sambros Nova Scotia and her dogs while she travelled the world as a keynote speaker and activist. The Ontario native was working on her PhD at the time when Mann Borgese took her in and adopted her into the family.
“Essentially, I was a stray and she needed a stray and so we got on together that way.” McConnell said.
The book is a reflection of their relationship through poems but also chronicles their daily interactions, often revolving around the lives of their beloved dogs.
However there was more to being the Hundefräulein than just taking care of the four or five English Setters. The Hundefräulein faux ‘Wanted Ad’ sums up the depth of McConnell’s commitment to her extended family. She ran errands and kept the house while her master was away for months. Then chauffeured important colleagues to and from the house for parties and catered the gettogethers while Mann Borgese entertained.
“I have in my life done all sort of interesting things but this was the first time I’ve ever been close to somebody like Elizabeth.”McConnell said.
The Hundefräulein Papers is a beautiful tribute to a remarkable woman who earned the respect and admirations of many. Elisabeth Mann Borgese earned the Order of Canada and several honorary degrees from universities all over the world.
The Hundefräulein Papers book launch is on Friday, November 13 at 3:30 pm in the Holy Cross House Conference Room, 101.
