This is Brown, sometimes I call him Brownie. He's my German Shorthair. It was believed that he was born in January of 1993, but his exact birthday is unknown because he has had many owners. His last owner was an old lady who lives a few blocks from where my parents live. She became very sick and when she was in the hospital we found him. He had escaped during a storm--scared of the thunder (Brontophobia) and flashing light (Astraphobia). Ever since, he has had a good home and been the kind dog he naturally is. He's even considered part of the family. He hates having to do things but loves laying around napping and getting attention, he also gets very excited when he is about to be fed or get a treat. Brown likes one of the bushes in the backyard. He enjoys laying under it and sleeping in the afternoons. When he's inside he wanders around the back of the house and finds the best place to hang out.

Click here to listen to me playing with brown
(mp3 format; 87Kb)

We believe that one of his previous owners once used a garden hose to squirt Brown for an unknown reason. He has had a fear of water (Hydrophobia) since we brought him home, and dislikes being washed. It's very unlikely that you would ever see him swimming in a lake, river, ocean, or pool. In fact, we don't take him to such places because he is epileptic and could be in a dangerous situation if he were to have a seizure near water. We care enough about him not to overlook this sad possibility.

As of 1999 Brown's physical conditions are slowly deteriorating, which has given the Vet the impression that Brown is actually older than we had previously thought; six years older! He has had several teeth pulled, which is common to an older dog.

Like most other k-nines, brown can be heard barking in his sleep. In both human's and k-nine's sleep cycle, there is a period called Rapid Eye Movement (Also known as REM). During this period human's eyes move quickly back and forth, which is believed to be related to dreaming. When a k-nine (Brown in particular) is in REM, his eyelids are half-open, showing his eye movement. As humans are occasionally known to talk in their sleep, dogs are commonly heard barking, whining, growling and breathing heavily. Other characteristics include physical movement; movement of either or both sets of legs, slight neck movement, etc. As scary as this may sound, Brown is actually dreaming. The combination of leg movement and barking could indicate chasing of a smaller, or it being a dream, a larger animal.

But animal psychology aside. Brown is a truly spoiled dog, which is what he deserves. Receiving treats for no reason, or for a reason like being able to go for a walk (which he enjoys), he can't possibly complain. I would just hope that if I were a dog, I would be as lucky as him.

Brown passed on April 11, 2002