I Died Today

My name is Harrison.  Today is Wednesday, June 10, 2015.  I died today.

But let me tell you my story.  I'll try to make it brief.  I was born in North Carolina and at 8 weeks old was adopted by a very nice woman and her husband.  She became my mama for life. 

I had two older brothers and a younger sister -Grizz, Indiana, and Bella.

Indiana Jackson

Bella Georgia Rose

Grizz

Life was good and I was happy.  Except when my dad yelled.  Either at me or at mom.  That scared me very much.  But mom knew I didn't know what I was doing wrong when he yelled and she protected me.  Once, when she opened the front door I was so excited to see what was out there, I ran outside and up the street.  It was so neat - I had never been in the front of the house before!  I barely heard mom running behind me yelling my name.  After that mom started some serious training with me.  I never ran out the front door after that and she could even hold it wide open but I just sat there and waited for her to tell me what to do because I loved to make my mama happy.  And once she explained to me what she expected of me, it was really easy to learn.  After all, I was a very smart boy and I had no problem learning what to do.  My sister, on the other hand.... that's another story.  I even did this special test where I had to do all these fun things and listen to my mom really, really carefully and do exactly what she said and there were these funny looking chairs with wheels on them and sticks that people were walking with and all kinds of people and other dogs.  But I did exactly what I was supposed to do and afterwards, they gave me a piece of paper that said I was a Certified Canine Good Citizen.  I don't know what that means, but I know my mom was really happy and proud of me because she kept telling me what a good boy I was and how much she loved me.  None of my brothers or my sister were Canine Good Citizens.  

I was the special one.

I love to sleep, just like my mama!

Mom and I moved a few times.  Without Dad.  I didn't mind - he yelled too much.  We moved without Indiana and Grizz and it was just me and Bella.  I didn't really miss them because we all went to see them every day.  For a while mom was really sad.  She'd cry a lot.  I didn't like when she cried.  I'd leave the room when she did.  It just made me too sad to see her like that.  

My Yaya

My Papi

It wasn't long after that that mama and I packed up the car and we took a really long ride without my sister.  Mom says she went to live with Daddy and Indiana.  We went to see grandma and grandpa or as I call them, Yaya and Papi.  We never left.  We stayed with Yaya and Papi for a while and I discovered stairs.  But better than that, I discovered snow.  Snow was really cool and I loved running around in it.  I'd hop around in it like a rabbit.  My mom would just laugh and laugh.  We had such good times together.  Life was such an adventure!  And she always took me with her.  I didn't really miss my brothers and sister because I had mama all to myself and I got all her love and didn't have to share it with them.  Plus, Yaya and Papi loved me now, too, and I loved them.

One of my 1st Snowfalls in NJ

We moved a few more times after that but I always loved my home because I was there with mom.  She showered me with love and treats and bones and good food.  I had more toys than I could even play with!  My favorite was my squeaky ball.  I loved to chase my squeaky ball.  We used to have great games of fetch and I even knew how to bring the ball back to my mom

so she could throw it again for me.

You can watch me play fetch with Papi in this video:

Sometimes I'd stay with mama's good friend, Frank.  He had a little dog and we became friends, too.  But he was much older than me so we didn't play or anything.  I still liked him though- he was mellow, like me.  I loved Uncle Frank.  He spoiled me.  He always let me lay on him and he'd pet me as long as I'd lay there.  I really liked sitting on his feet.

My buddy, Uncle Frank

See Uncle Frank? I'm laying on him.

I turned 10 on November 29, 2014 - that's 70 in my own years.  

I was loving life and all my adventures.  I'd been on boats, to the beach, swimming in pools, to street fairs, to North Carolina and New Jersey and everywhere in between.... no matter what my mama did, I was her co-pilot in life.  She took me wherever she could.

Mom always took me with her. 

Shortly after the new year something changed.  I felt different.  There was something that didn't belong.  Something was growing inside me.  I wanted to be closer to my mama after that.  Physically.  When she sat on the couch, I got as close to her as I could - sometimes on top of her if she'd let me 

(and she usually did).  

It just made me feel better to have her stroking my fur and holding me.  She let me sleep in bed with her every night at this point.  Instead of always sleeping at the foot of the bed like I usually did, I would get right up by her head.  She'd wrap her arm around me and I'd fall asleep on her chest. 

We did that a lot.  

I think she really liked it.  

She always told me I was the best dog ever.  

I think my mama knew something was wrong, too.  We went to the doctor but the doctor just said I might be starting the beginning stages of senility.  I don't think mom bought it.  Around the same time, a lump started growing on the side of my chest.  I had a bunch of lumps.  But this one was different.  It grew fast.  We went to the doctor again and mom found out my liver was a little off.  I took meds for a month but it didn't help.  I knew it wouldn't.  The lump grew bigger.  They looked at my insides and saw an even bigger lump - the doctor called it a tumor.  They told my mom in March that I had cancer.  A huge tumor in my liver and more little ones in my spleen.  The doctor said he didn't think I'd make it to 2016.  Mom was upset.  And that's when the chicken started.  I got LOTS of chicken!  Mom didn't cry much after that - every now and again.  But for the most part, we just enjoyed every day together.  She hand fed me my dinner a lot of nights.  That was fun - it was kind of like a game.  I still ran around a lot because my energy level was pretty high.

Then I had two seizures in a week.  I didn't really feel anything but it was pretty upsetting for Yaya, Papi and mama.  We went to the doctor each time.  You know, I don't know what all the other dogs fuss about with the doctor because I loved going there!  All the girls were always so nice to me and pet me and loved me and told me what a good and handsome boy I was.  Anyway, I digress.... it started to hurt a little to jump off of mama's bed but she'd help me when I'd let her.  Other than that, I wasn't too uncomfortable.  I didn't let mom know, anyway.  Until I couldn't stand that lump anymore.  I bit it one night and it started to bleed.  It never really stopped.  

Mom and Yaya and I went to the doctor again.  He told her I wouldn't get any better - only worse from that point on.  Mom had always asked me to let her know when it was time to let me go.  I did my best to let her know that day.  But I was so happy, it was hard.  I think she heard me, though.  Because I played with my cousin Toby that morning and ran around like a fool.  

Then mom gave me the biggest bone ever.  When Toby stole it, they yelled at him and gave it back to me and put him in the kitchen so I could chew on my bone in peace.  After that, Yaya and mom and I went to visit another lady I loved.  The chicken lady.  I got spaghetti and meatballs!!!  A lot of it!!!  After that we met Uncle Frank for ice cream and I got my very own cone!  I couldn't even finish it, I was so full!!

We went back to Yaya and Papi's house and mom and I took a nap on the floor.  Those were some of my favorite times - napping with my mama.  
And then we went back to the doctor.  

I know how hard it was for my mom to let me go.  I'm glad she did, though..... she didn't want me to suffer - not even for a day.  I was happy - I had such a wonderful life with her.  All the adventures we took together!  I was loved by many.  I didn't mind that it was my time to go.  I would miss her and I know she'd miss me..... but it was time.  Yaya and mom stroked my fur and told me how much they loved me and what a good dog I was.  But I got so tired, so quickly and I had to go to sleep.  

Yaya says I'm still just sleeping.  Mom knows I'm sleeping in her heart and I will always be there with her.  I'll never leave her.  And I know she'll never forget me.  I was her first good boy.  The best dog ever.  Her co-pilot.  And I will wait for her however long it takes to see her again....over the Rainbow Bridge.

HARRISON BUFFETT

Rest in Peace, My Sweet Boy

11-29-04 - 06-10-15
Dog Is My Co-Pilot

Video of me Swimming in the Pool:

I love you so very much, Harrison Buffett.
You saved my life more than once.  I didn't rescue you, you rescued me.  
My life will never be the same and through all this pain of missing you, I wouldn't trade the last 10.5 years with you for anything in this world.
You were my first...and there will never be another like you.
Bubbaloo, Bubbers, Baba Booey, Hairball, Har, Buggaboo, 
Harry Harrison, Bubs, Pumpkin, Lumpey.
I called you a lot of things but the one consistent thing I called you 
was my best friend.
You are the only being who got that honor for 10.5 years straight.  
But really, it was MY honor.  I will miss you more than words can say.  
My world will not be the same without you here.  
I feel like part of my body is missing.  
But you let me know it was time and I could not let you suffer even one day 
and all I can do is take solace in knowing I did right by you.

It was one hell of a ride, wasn't it, my handsome boy?

I will see you again someday.  Count on it.  
xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Mama