For Camden
Camden M. Brown
December 15, 2012 - August 5, 2026
It is with a heart heavy with the burden of her passing as well as joyful heart full of love for our time together that Rob and I share that our best friend, Camden M. Brown crossed the rainbow bridge on August 5. She was 13, nearly 14 years of age. She passed peacefully in our arms on her usual spot on the couch by the window. We burned sage, set up crystals and I read Mary Oliver poems from “Dog Songs” to her during that last hour. And finally, as she slipped away and transitioned to the next plane of existence, I repeated the sanskrit mantra “lokah samastha sukhino bhavantu” may all beings everywhere be happy and free.
We adopted this wild girl as a 6 month old puppy from a family Rob found on Craig’s List (because yes, that was still a thing in 2013). Camden’s original name was “Eternity” a fact that many of our friends like to tease us about. I didn’t want a dog because I thought we traveled too much (we did and continued to) But, as was often the case, Rob’s consultant-like powers of persuasion meant that we left West Baltimore with a wiggly labrador puppy on May 5, 2013. We called this day, “Cinco de Camden”
Camden loved being in motion: hiking, camping, chasing squirrels or a tennis ball at Patterson Park, swimming and doing anything around water. She and I loved to run together and one year we finished 3rd at the Barcstober race because we literally sprinted the 5k (6:45 pace!) She would hike with us, doing at least 2 more miles than whatever we logged because she would run up ahead and then double back on the trail to check on us. She would “wild girl” around the living with Rob chasing him on the floor. In the winter if we didn’t go outside, we played “soccer goalie” where we kicked a ball at her and she would stop it, yes like a soccer goalie. Camden would chase cats down the alley, roll in the snow and dig in the sand at the beach, often spraying it on those of us sitting behind her.
True to her labrador nature, she was obsessed with water. The Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, the Gunpowder River, countless rivers and streams during hikes and even a mid-winter swim in the Baltimore Harbor when she was a pup. It would take several attempts and many towels to get her out of mom-moms pool in Timonium because she never wanted to leave. She didn’t even need a ball, she would swim figure 8’s in the pool, so happy and free. Camden was always “the lifeguard on duty” when anyone was around water, barking at them because hey, humans can’t swim as well as labs. She couldn’t stand it when Rob and I went paddle boarding and were on different boards, again, barking at us to stay closer together. She loved to get sprayed in the face with a hose. Hearing the squeak of it turn on and she would post up ready to attack the water the moment it came out.
Food was her second love to water: watermelon, cantaloupe, salmon, PB, steak, goldfish and during covid when we started baking, sourdough bread. She would stare at the oven until the bread was done and then watch it on the countertop until we cut some for her. You could set a watch by her stomach and she would always tell you when it was time to eat dinner (not a minute after 4:45). She could bully Rob into any meal and loved sharing a bowl of popcorn with him. When I was cooking or chopping veggies, Camden was right there, catching any food before it fell to the floor. She would wake from a nap if the refrigerator door was opened and the cheese drawer opened. She could tell the difference between a jar of coconut oil and PB opening.
Camden also loved to chill: watching movies and sports on the couch with us. On chilly winters we would go for long walks in the morning then watch nature shows in the afternoon. Camden would lay in my lap and Rob would be on the other side of me…both of them getting a head scratch. When we had friends over after a show, she would hang out getting pets and praying on the weakest link of the group to give her treats. That is, until 1:00 am when she would start whining at people to go to bed. She would make an exaggerated sigh when she finally got comfortable on the couch. She had the softest, most perfect labrador ears, ideal for stroking on lazy Sundays, the 3 of curled up and snuggling.
Camden hated the dog park (why share the baby pool with someone else?), pretzels, waiting in a line at a dock dog event, wearing hats or getting dressed up and dogs with pointy ears (sorry huskies and corgis). She strongly preferred women to men (same girl, same) and didn’t like the smell of cigarette smoke. She had to have her head out the car window no matter what, yes even in the rain. She hated when Rob had to take a call from the car on our way to Boston or Richmond and whined until we put the windows down, even if we were going 65 mph.
Camden was as quirky as me. She always reminded us to pay “the cheese tax” She humped her bed nearly every night after dinner (personally I prefer the other order, but hey) She tolerated with a wagging tail and goofy smile all the absurd songs I sang to her with lyrics that frequently rhymed with “labrador.” She danced with me in the kitchen to electronic music while I was cooking and never thought once about the safety concern of my knife holding skills. Camden was excellent at tap dancing to get our attention for food or to just hangout. She loved to walk to Ace Hardware to get treats and see the cat. We loved to sit outside at Mahaffey’s on nice Friday evenings to get a pup cup and an N/A beer.
Camden was the labradaughter of dinks and truly our co-pilot and best friend. She lived a rad life of 13 joyful summers. She matched my energy (neither one of us could sleep in) and love for adventure. She was my twin flame. The Sag bestie every Gemini wants and needs. I loved to look into her eyes and thank her for being here. When I was stressed or sad, I would hold her, our 3rd eyes pressed together in a deeper form of communication than any spoken language.
I believe Camden’s purpose was to be my sage and guide as I got sober from booze in 2019. That first January was so hard, it nearly broke me. I changed my identity, lost friends and questioned my purpose. So I walked…a lot. In the cold, I would walk with Camden to the park, by the water and anyone I could. She was there for me every mile, even when we did multiple walks in a day to try to steady myself. I would layer up in the cold and walk the streets of Canton, crying and praying for strength. Camden was there for all of it, no matter what the weather or time of day, she saw the leash in my hand and guided me. She didn’t judge or question me, she just walked beside me as I did the hardest thing I had done in 35 years. And when I finally walked past the crying and cravings, she snuggled with me on the couch while I listened to music and read. It was her steadiness and loyalty during that year that truly made her my soul dog. She was the light that got me through the darkness.
When the 3 of us were living in OBX in the Fall of 2020, during the pandemic, we deepened our bond. 2 beach walks a day, digging in the sand, chasing the birds and watching the sunrise and sunset. Camden was the perfect dog for our family in the prime of our lives. We were ages 29 - 43 when we had her and for those 13+ years we were so connected, so many joyful moments for the 3 of us. She was with us for 13 of the 14 years of our marriage.
Over the years, Camden was blessed with many dog friends: There are the cousins: Copper (Boston labrador) and Finn (NoVa mix). Her younger water loving bro, Ridge. The G-lover crew: Stratford and Gus, Tiger, Harrison, Seabass, Buddha, Maverick, Rockne, Matilda, Lucy plus the black labs sisters: Lexie, Libby and Layla. Bella, Hallie, Tux, Cecil, Joey and Natty. To those pups that have already crossed over I hope you’re hanging out together. And to those still with us, I know Camden will be waiting for a tennis ball on the other side.
Camden is no longer snoring on the couch after a hike, barking at us for dinner at exactly 4:44 pm, cruising in the car with her head out the window (always, even in the rain) or chewing a stick while we’re sitting stoop with the neighbors. But she will live in our hearts forever, she is our soul dog. I will love and miss her for the rest of my days.