Phantom Felines And Other Ghostly Animals - Gerina Dunwich 2006
Man’s Best Friend, Even in the Afterlife
Hounds and Hauntings
by Doris “Dusty” Smith
At one time, the most popular resident of the Daytona Beach downtown business area was not human. I will now tell you about the most popular goodwill ambassador Daytona Beach has ever had. I am speaking of a dog that came to be called Brownie.
It seems that this weary yet wise traveler somehow made his way to Daytona Beach. Like many before him, and many more after him, Brownie explored the sidewalks and storefronts of Beach Street for several days before staking a claim. Brownie’s first and soon to become best friend was Ed Budgen, Sr. Ed was the owner of the Daytona Cab Company, located on the corner of Orange Avenue and Beach Street. When Brownie met Ed, Ed offered Brownie part of his lunch. Now being the smart and resourceful dog he was, Brownie gladly accepted the free meal.
Brownie quickly learned how to capitalize on this gracious human trait. Many of the downtown workers and restaurant owners fed Brownie scraps on a regular basis. Brownie took up residency at the Daytona Cab Company with his new friend Ed, who even made him a doghouse from a cardboard box. Eventually Brownie’s home became a bit more upscale; it was quite elaborate, complete with Brownie’s name on it. A collection box was added, and many people donated to the “Brownie care fund.” This fund provided food, veterinary care, and money for Brownie’s annual license. C. P. Miller made sure that every year Brownie got tag#1, since Brownie was the goodwill ambassador for Daytona Beach.
One local resident remembers that Brownie took up residence in 1940. At this time downtown shopping was popular. He quickly became known as “the town dog.” It was customary on a shopping spree to see and greet Brownie. His reply would always be a wag of his tail. One of the benefits to being the “town dog” was an occasional free pint of ice cream, which Brownie cherished.
Brownie became a trusted companion to many of the local cab drivers. He took it upon himself to accompany the police patrolmen on their nightly rounds. Brownie assisted the officers by sniffing at shadows in dark alleys and standing at the side of officers while the local businesses’ doors were checked.
Brownie’s fame grew, but his ego didn’t, even after being written up in national magazines and newspapers as “Daytona Beach’s dog.” Many visiting tourists would seek out Brownie as they walked and shopped along Beach Street; they wanted to have their picture taken with the country’s most popular dog. Ed’s wife Doris remembers Brownie getting Christmas cards and presents from all over the country. Doris would respond on Brownie’s behalf and include a photo of the now famous dog.
Brownie passed of old age in October of 1954. Many of the fine folks from across the country felt the loss and sent letters and cards of condolence. Brownie’s bank account had enough money in it to construct a plywood casket and purchase a headstone. City officials provided a resting place in Riverfront Park, which is directly across from the place where Brownie had spent the best years of his life.
There were seventy-five people in attendance, with four pallbearers, at Brownie’s funeral. As Mayor Jack Tamm stated in Brownie’s eulogy, “Brownie was, indeed, a good dog,” as many shed a tear.
Now that I have told you about Brownie’s life in this world, let me tell you how I met Brownie in the next world. On one of our little outings, I decided it might be worthwhile to go and visit Brownie’s resting place. We arrived at Riverfront Park at about 11 p.m. I took off in one direction; two fellow researchers went in the opposite direction. Now normally we stick together, but we had no idea exactly where Brownie was buried. Riverfront Park is quite large with many fishponds, small footpaths and bridges, and beautiful gardens. I walked to the south; the others went north. My radar must have been in tune that night because I walked straight to Brownie’s place of rest.
When I turned around to see where the other researchers had gone, they were completely out of sight. I decided to have a little chat with Brownie and take a few pictures. I of course introduced myself and explained to him that I had read about how famous and humble he had been. I noticed the shrub to the north of his headstone was supposed to be in the shape of a dog, but was a bit lacking. (Boxwoods can be hard to train sometimes.) Anyhow, I noticed how wonderfully done Brownie’s headstone was. And the Mayor’s quote inscribed at the bottom, A GOOD DOG.
As I stood there thinking about this goodwill ambassador and what a wonderful impact he had on this town and the folks who were lucky enough to encounter him, I suddenly felt sad. I wondered how many people still remembered this fine animal? Obviously the grass was mowed on a regular basis, but how many even knew of this location? Did someone still come and talk to Brownie? Did anyone ever bring him flowers or maybe lay a dog biscuit down for him? Did Brownie still recall what it felt like to be petted? Or what ice cream tasted like?
My belief is that we take these feelings and thoughts onto the other side with us. How sad would it be if no one remembered us? I realize that in a hundred years there would be no one around to remember whom and how we really were. But, couldn’t someone make the afterlife a little special for this obviously special dog? Yep, you’re right, it would be me! I decided at that moment to take Brownie on as my very own spirit pet. I would visit him as often as I could. Talk to him, offer him biscuits, or as they are known in my house, “cookies.” I’ve come to a point in my relationship with my own dog that I have to spell out the “c” word or she won’t leave me alone until she gets one.
I noticed a park bench near Brownie’s place of rest. It seemed to be so inviting. Sitting on a park bench, dog at your side, listening to the wind and watching the traffic go by. I told Brownie that if he cared to join me, I would be more than happy to sit with him for a while. After several minutes, I felt warmth at my left leg. Could it have been Brownie? Or was it just a warm breeze coming in off the intercoastal waterway? Just then I noticed the other researchers headed my way. The warmth was gone. I spoke to Brownie again, “Thank you for taking time to sit with me. I needed to feel a loyal friend tonight. I do hope you will reveal yourself in a picture. You are a good dog,” I said. I snapped a picture of where I had been sitting with what I felt was my new friend, Brownie, the spirit dog. I looked at the LCD screen on the digital camera and noticed a bright orb in front of the palm tree. Nah, it couldn’t be…. I couldn’t get that lucky. We decided to say our “good nights” to Brownie and walk back through the park to the car.
When we returned to home base and viewed the digital photos I was delighted. Not only had we gotten some decent orb activity, Brownie had made his presence known. The picture I had taken of the park bench featured a beautiful orb in front of the palm tree. I looked at it for less than two seconds before realizing it had a face in it. Not an ordinary face though, Brownie’s face! You can call me nuts at any time, but I know the face in the orb is Brownie.
It seems to me that this famous goodwill ambassador is still doing his job. Sitting next to visitors or weary travelers in a cool shady corner of the park. Keeping an eye on the passing traffic. Walking alongside pets that still reside in this world. Maybe even romping through the park to visit with otherworldly residents of the park. Whatever the case, Brownie is still doing his job, and he will always be, a good dog.