Tasha Tudor: The Original Crazy Corgi Lady

Corgiville Fair

We love dogs. We’re also big fans of people who love dogs and are dedicated to making dogs’ lives better. In this case, we’re celebrating the memory of Tasha Tudor and her contributions to dogs. You may have heard of a “crazy cat lady”. Well, Tasha Tudor was the “original crazy Corgi lady”.

About the Artist

Tasha Tudor’s name was inspired by her father’s love for the character Natasha from the book War and Peace. While she was originally named after her father, Starling Burgess, Tasha seemed to fit her best over the years.

During her younger years, she adopted the last name Tudor after being mistaken for a Tudor (one of her mother’s friends) so many times. She not only adopted the name out of ease but because she enjoyed the alliteration.

During her marriage to Thomas McCready, she had her four children, Bethany, Seth, Thomas, and Efner. She also wrote her first book, Pumpkin Moonshine. From there, she went on to write nearly 100 other books, her last one being Corgiville Christmas in 2003. Tasha Tudor passed in 2008 at the age of 92.

Corgi Enthusiast

Though she enjoyed writing children’s books, she would often try to have a Corgi cameo in her stories. Tasha Tudor loved Corgis throughout her life and always had a handful nipping at her heels. She was first introduced to the breed when her son bought and sent home the family’s first Corgi, Mr. B or Browns as he was originally called.

Shortly after adopting Mr. B, she adopted a female dog, Pups, and they had their first litter: Gwen, Studley, Owen, and Megan. While Tudor also loved and kept many cats and an Irish Wolfhound, she firmly believed that “There is no other dog that can compare to a Corgi. They’re the epitome of beauty.”

Because of this, it is no surprise that Corgis were often illustrated in her books and in her collaborations. From the day they met to the day Tudor passed away, she always had a stubby friend along for the ride.

Nowadays

Alhough Tudor has passed, her love for Corgis lives on in her work and with her family. The family still cares for her Vermont home and tends to the gardens as needed. They also offer goods, books, and recipes online from their mother. While most of the money goes to the estate or to the children, what can be donated is often given to Corgi shelters and rescues.