Brownie is my pet dog who slinked into our patio on Christmas eve unable to resist the cold and the fear of the crushing traffic on the streets of  Chennai.. He being not one of those classy breeds, we had our initial bias against him and were hesitating to keep him. But his pathetic condition moved us and we chose to adopt him. Perhaps , I should admit a life-long obsession for outward looks and status was instantly overlooked .
Thanks to Brownie anyway..he educated us humans not to be " class conscious'.
Days passed, Brownie is treated like our adopted son who has all his dog's rights well established in our home. He is innocent , sincere and loving to his companions. He became quite popular in our neighbourhood and I felt proud walking him along the narrow streets and lanes. Soon all his companions started a liking for me too and I ended up being distinguished among the street dogs. Unlike me,  Browni'e "Public Relations " were quite cordial among his own kind..He was shrewd and sesitive and  knew well when to bark and at whom .  Our neighbours started greeting Brownie but kept on their frowns at me being known as an "old
screamer" in our street. One of  Brownie's close friends started coming to visit him often which we  try to discourage. As a former teacher , I knew what was the pull factor of "peer pressure."  We had to give in and
please Brownie by adapting his senior friend Ramu. I still cannot understand why and by whom he was  named after  the Hindu God. I tried my best to rename him but Ramu never responded. Hope and pray there would be no protests at my house for a  mistake not made by me. Every morning during my "dog walks"  I was stunned by the way Ramu came to the defence of any attacker and at times at the peril of his own life.
There was an occasion another ferocious stranger pounced on his throat and bit him to bleeding. So much blood was shed  all for little Brownie. My thoughts quickly scanned  heart and stirred my conscience. No...I was no match to these dogs...God save my two pets Brownie and Ramu for they fill love in my heart and my home.!