Brownie Talledo is in Doggy Heaven.

Brownie Talledo

Age 12, ~1998 - July 03, 2010

Brownie, in short you were a couragous dog with unimaginable strength and neverending kindness.

Brownie and my brother George minutes before he went into his eternal slumber.

Nickname: Muttie

He came into my life when I was an eight year old girl, I hadn't gotten over my first dog Shadow who ran away months prior. My neighbors rescued him from an apparent crazy lady who used to allegedly bite his paws and tail. Even though I was distraught over Shadow's disappearance, my mom chose to take this three month old neglected/abused puppy. He was a tiny little thing; dark brown hair with a white spot on his chest. Although I did want my Shadow back, I also wanted to give this little guy a home. What with lack of creativity and in turn his enormous amount of sweetness, we stuck with the name Brownie that I specifically chose for him.

Brownie would eventually grow to be a rather big dog, what with him being a labrador/pitbull mix. At first, he used to sleep in a shoe box, his tiny fragile body wrapped in a blanket. As a puppy he was a bit wild, he wouldn't want to be touched nor carried and he'd bite me whenever I tried.

Admist old age he developed many health problems, though that is not how I want to remember him, I want to say how strongly he put up with it. He had skin infections all over his body, ear infections, inflammed paws, and growths on his butt that came back after operation. We weren't neglectful owners, far from it, the medicine stopped working and yet Brownie put up with the pain. For over three years my mom begged my older brother George(featured in the picture) to put him to sleep but my brother refused, he said Brownie still had the will to live and once he gives up, then he'll take him in. Even upon death not once did Brownie cry over his pain, he trembled but put up stronger than anything else, man or animal, that I have ever encountered.

Now for random facts/ stories.

When Brownie was cold, he would wake either my brother George or myself to let him sleep in our bed. All he would have to do is put his paw on me and in he went.

Did I mention he was a rather large dog? Yeah, I slept in a twin size bed and this happened for years, my teenage years. I was pushed against the wall so Brownie would be comfortable.

Brownie was not the violent type, though naturally he was territorial. Whenever someone would be at the door, he would run under my mom's bed and start barking.

From time to time I would hold food in my mouth and have Brownie take it from me.

He would always put his paw or his head on my lap so I could give him food. I would ask for a hug and he would comply. After I'd finish the food and ask for another hug he'd run away.

Brownie never liked showers. Whenever he would hear running water, even if it's just one of my family members or I about to shower, he would run hiding under the bed.

Brownie was always the jealous type. When I raised my guinea pig who was with me from when I was 11-13, he'd look at him angrily. However, he never tried to hurt him. He would give him a kiss although he'd be crunching his nose at the same time.

My dog strategized over how to get food out of each individual family member. With my brother George, my father, and myself, he'd sit with us the whole time we have food since we'd constantly give our food to him. With my mom, he would wait in the same room although he would look at her and she would give him food at the end. With my brother Richard, he would wait in another room until he called out for him.

He was always good with the kids in the neighborhood, these two five year old girls would get excited and yell out Brownie and hug him. In turn, he'd kiss their cheek.

Brownie was also a respectful dog. Whenever someone would change in front of him he would look the other direction. Unlike my dog Spike, who gives his undivided attention and try to lick you all over, ie. legs and stomach.

Up to old age he loved being treated as a baby. He would wag his tail any time I'd call him my baby or the most beautiful boy in the world.

From time to time I would embrace him just because.

His favorite place to sleep was on my mom's bed even though my mom would usually kick him off.

Many people would be afraid of Brownie at first, what with his large size, up until he would show his wonderful personality.

During wintertime, we would give him one of our jackets for him to wear so he wouldn't be as cold.

When he was younger, I would lift his arms up to shoulders so he can give me a hug.

As he got older, I would wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him.

I used to pinch his nose and cheeks and say he has the prettiest nose, cheeks and eyes.

I'll add more later.
RIP Beautiful Boy
Brownie, you'll be in our hearts forever.