As some of you know My Beautiful Beloved Brownie crossed over to the Bridge on March 5, 2020.  Brownie was Amazing.  He was loveable, smart, brave, and very strong willed.  When I looked at Brownie, I did not see a dog.  I saw my best friend, my companion, and my protector.  Brownie could turn a bad day into a good day with his deep bark and wagging tail.  There was not a day that Brownie did not greet me at the door, even through recovery.  He always was willing to lend a ear for listening, and a shoulder to cry on.  People who knew us referred to us as soul mates.  I was not know as Nancy, but as Brownie's mom.

Brownie was clever and stubbrand!  If he did not like his food, he would use his nose, tip his bowl over and walk away.  Some people say dogs don't talk back.  Well, Brownie did.  If I told him to go outside, he would look at me, bark, and then go lay in his bed.  It was like he was saying "No, I don't want to"! Brownie taught himself to open doors. He figured out how to open the pantry door, where his treats were kept. He didn't just eat one, he ate the whole bag. I remember there was a day when I just needed some quiet time. I went into the bedroom and shut the door. A few minutes later I hear a squeak, and here comes Brownie. I know his thought was "You can't keep me out, don't think so mom".

Brownie was silly!  Like when he locked me out of our apartment, and when he dropped his toys in the toliet and flooded the bathroom.  Every night at 7:00 we had cookie time.  If the clock hit 7:03 he would bark at me until he got his cookie.

Brownie was caring.  He stood by my side when my mother passed.  I laid in bed for four days.  Brownie started to drop toys onto the bed one by one.  He was letting me know that Grandma would not want me to be sad, and it was time to get up.  Because of him I did.

Brownie was protective.  When we would be on our walks, some people we would meet he was fine with.  But if Brownie got a bad smell he let me know.  He would stand directly in front of me, fur standing up, tail straight, and give a stare with a low growl.  He was letting them know "You just try and get close to my mom, I dare you"!

Brownie got up each day and fought cancer with determination, dignity, and grace.  When several vets only gave him three months without chemo, Brownie didn't listen.  Brownie lived an additional one year and eight days. I have never been more proud of anyone in my life!  Even though cancer is a disheartening disease, I believe if you search hard enough you will find good in anything.  Brownie and I have always had an unbreakable bond.  Through this journey our bond even grew stronger, which I thought was never possible.  He taught me when things look grim don't give up.  He taught me to embrace each day, the good ones as well as the bad.  I became a member of the most heart filling online community there is.  I do not think I would of made it through this past year without all of your support.  I truly value the friendships I have made along the way.  I will be forever grateful, and do not know how to express my gratitude to each and everyone of you!

My Beautiful Brownie, I am keeping the third promise I made to you.  As you wait for me on the bridge, make friends, play hard, stay out of trouble, mind your manners, and run on four like you have never ran before.  You will always live in my heart, and one day we will climb that mountain together...