Harrison, our first born turned 6 today. Anyone who knows Harry knows that he is the sweetest old soul any golden retriever could be. It was a long, long time ago that I met Harry in my heart. I was a child leaving my first viewing of Star Wars back in the 70’s and I remember my heart aching for Han Solo. I soon found out the his name was Harrison and not Han. I didn’t care, I was in love.

I came from a dog people family and we always had labs growing up but as the independent thinker of the family I always wanted a golden retriever. Going to Star Wars with my dad that day sealed the deal, someday I would have a golden named Harrison.

Many moons later I found myself living in a tiny apartment in Boulder with my boyfriend BJ. We just started a new life and we were ready to add to our family. I had been with BJ just shy of 5 years and as I women of my way he was well aware of the predetermined arrival of Harrison.

It was a Saturday, we got online and searched for breeders in the area. We emailed a bunch and received a reply the next morning from Chuck Mervar of Mervar Kennels in Longmont, he had one male left from his litter. I knew it was Harrison.

BJ never had pets growing up so he’d never been to a breeder, he’d never experienced the unconditional love you receive from an animal and he surely had never experienced the inexplicable heartbreak of losing an animal (oh boy….let’s not go there). Above all, he had never seen a golden retriever puppy, we left the house and I said ‘don’t forget the checkbook’. He said ‘we’re only going to look’. Right…’BJ get the check book’ I knew he had no idea what he was in for.

To appease the man I loved we agreed on a signal, if he took his sunglasses off his head and put them in his pocket then I knew he was on board. Having no doubt those glasses would be off his head as soon as we saw the puppies I agreed. With check book in hand and a smile on my face we were off to Mervar Kennels to meet Harrison.

4 weeks later on a rainy, cold Thursday night we had dinner at Dinapoli and headed to Longmont to get Harrison. I remember stopping at Pet Smart and buying him food on the way home, he was snuggled in a blanket on my lap. BJ went in and left us in the car to keep warm. No idea why but I sang ‘Crazy’ by Patsy Cline and I sensed that it immediately put him at ease, he liked it. Still to this day when I want to have a special moment with him I will get close to his face and sing ‘Crazy’. Even in his adult years, he still loves it and so do I. Harrison quickly transformed to Harry which suits him better but the full name is often used for authoritative reasons. Harry is always in trouble but he is a special boy.

Happy Birthday Harry, you’re my sweet baby boy.