Hi, I'm Destiny, the person behind Brown Dog, Stay. 

I'm a Texas girl who spent the last few years living in Montana before finding my way to Tennessee. I always joked that I missed a little Southern hospitality while I was in Montana, but couldn't imagine giving up the mountains. I found my home here in Tennessee and feel like I get the best of both worlds, and I'm genuinely excited to build Brown Dog, Stay in Mountain City.

Ever since I was a little girl I have had a dog by my side. My obsession and love for all animals has been lifelong as well; so much so that my sister used to call me “Dr. Dolittle.” That love eventually led me into the veterinary field, where I spent nine years working in veterinary medicine, wearing many hats but spending most of that time as a veterinary technician.

More Than Just a Love for Animals

My years as a veterinary technician taught me so much about caring for animals. I learned how to recognize when an animal wasn't acting quite right, understand their individual needs and personalities, safely handle animals in difficult situations, administer medications, and respond confidently to emergencies while supporting an animal or their owner through a stressful situation. I also learned how important careful observation, cleanliness, communication, and attention to detail are when you're responsible for an animal's well-being.

Those experiences are an important part of what I bring to Brown Dog, Stay. I don't just love dogs; I have nine years of professional experience caring for them, understanding them, and advocating for their health and safety.

I truly loved veterinary medicine and everything it taught me. But over the years, I also realized that compassion, empathy, and doing what is right all matter deeply to me. Those are qualities I never want to lose, and ultimately, my experiences in veterinary medicine helped me understand the heart behind my why.

My Why Has a Name

Browning.

He was my chocolate lab, my “Brown Dog,” and my heart dog. I was lucky enough to have him by my side for 14 wonderful years.

He was the biggest mama's boy you could imagine. Leaving him with anyone was incredibly difficult for me, and honestly, I never felt completely comfortable boarding him because I knew how hard being away from me was for him.

Looking back, I often think about how different my life might have been if I'd had a place like Brown Dog, Stay, with someone who understood how much he meant to me.

Browning is the reason this business exists.

I'm so emotional and grateful that I get to keep his name alive every single day. Brown Dog, Stay isn't just a name I came up with. It's a piece of him, and a piece of me. I don't think I would have ever approached boarding with this much passion, purpose, or heart without him.

Then Came Purdey

My pointer, Purdey, taught me something completely different about loving a dog. I learned so much through my relationship with Browning, and I raised Purdey with more structure, boundaries, and confidence. Our relationship is different from the one I had with Browning, but it is no less meaningful. In many ways, it is healthier and less stressful for both of us, and I am so grateful for what Purdey has taught me.

Browning taught me how deeply a person can love a dog, and how much a dog can love their person.

Purdey taught me that loving a dog also means giving them boundaries, structure, and the confidence to be their own dog, all while still sharing all of the love.

Together, they have shaped the way I understand dogs, the way I care for them, and the kind of place I want Brown Dog, Stay to be.

Small by Design. Big on Care.

I know what it feels like to look at your dog and know they're not just a dog. They're your baby. They're family. They're the one waiting at the door when you come home, the one beside you through the good days and the terrible ones.

I love my dogs that much, and I understand that you love yours that much, too.

That's why my goal isn't to build the biggest boarding facility or care for the largest number of dogs possible. I want Brown Dog, Stay to be small by design and big on care. I want to know the dogs in my care, understand their personalities and needs, and give them the individual attention they deserve.

When you're away, I want to be their person for a little while, caring for them with the same love and respect I'd want someone to give my baby.

And I take that responsibility seriously.

One thing I will always stand by: your dog's safety and well-being will always come before a booking or a paycheck. If I ever believe that a dog isn't safe or isn't a good fit for my environment, I will be honest with you, even if that means I can't keep them. I would rather have an uncomfortable conversation than compromise the trust you've placed in me.

The Kind of Place I Want to Build

One of the things I'm most excited about with Brown Dog, Stay is getting to build something that feels truly personal to me. The compassion, the standards, the care, and the decisions all come directly from me. I get to build the kind of place I wish I'd had for Browning, while carrying everything that both Browning and Purdey have taught me into the care of every dog who walks through my door.

Browning gave me the dream.

Purdey helped shape the person capable of building it.

And every dog who walks through my door gives that dream its purpose.

This is my heart, my dream, and my way of keeping my Brown Dog's legacy alive.