Nixon Clinton Flash, the tricolor Border Collie–Springer Spaniel mix who spent years spreading joy across Aggieland alongside his owner, publisher David Flash, passed away Oct. 15, 2025. He was 15.
Known across Bryan–College Station for his calm intelligence and gentle personality, Nixon joined Flash’s life in early 2012, shortly after the death of his younger brother. “I was broken then, and Nixon helped me heal,” Flash said. “He wasn’t just a dog — he was my heart, my companion, and my comfort through everything that followed.”
Nixon became part of the everyday rhythm of Downtown Bryan. On sunny afternoons, the tricolor dog often lounged on West 26th Street in front of The Village Café, right next door to Downtown Uncorked, where Melba Tucker would step outside to give him charcuterie scraps and a scratch behind the ears. He also loved visiting Earlene Butcher in her boutique next to Melba’s shop, where he’d stretch out contentedly on the cool concrete floor — one of his favorite spots. Regulars along West 26th came to know him well — always calm, always friendly, and always ready to make a new friend.
He was also a familiar sight around Texas A&M University. Nixon was once photographed with Miss Revielle, the university’s cherished mascot. He loved exploring Research Park, trotting along the pond trails, watching ducks, and taking in the laughter of students on bikes.
A natural comforter, Nixon volunteered through Aggieland Pets With a Purpose and Hospice Brazos Valley, where his gentle demeanor brought smiles to seniors and hospice patients. Flash recalled one visit when Nixon rested his paws gently on a man’s knees and began licking his hands. “The man smiled and said, ‘Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy,’ again and again,” Flash said. “That was Nixon — just pure love.”
He also contributed his time — and appetite — to the community as the official sausage wrap quality control inspector at Downtown Bryan’s Fest for West, where he happily ensured every sample met his high standards. For a summer, he joined Flash in volunteering with a local Methodist church to deliver cereal to families in need. “A little boy once walked Nixon proudly around the playground,” Flash said. “He wasn’t allowed to have pets where he lived, but for that afternoon, he got to be a dog owner.”
In his later years, Nixon followed Flash west to the Big Bend region, where he lived for a year on the Point of Rocks Ranch in Fort Davis. He loved barking at llamas, cows, and horses along the Rio Grande, especially when the horses crossed on the Mexico side. But no matter how far he roamed, Aggieland remained home.
“Nixon was the best friend I’ve ever had,” Flash said. “He taught me about loyalty, love, and kindness — the kind that stays with you forever.”
Nixon Clinton Flash is survived by his human companion, David Flash, and his dog sisters, Molly and Bailey.
Thank you to the team at Stardust Pet Cremations in Austin, Texas for the love, care, professionalism, and dignity y’all brought to Nixon’s final car ride, his cremation, and the delivery of his remains, paw print, hair clippings, and nose print along with lovely flowers and kind, compassionate words.
Brazos Guardian 