I always wanted an American bully for a dog. It was my favorite breed growing up. Ever since I saw one in my hometown in Dubai, I fell in love with a bulldog. The first bulldog I saw was an English bulldog. It was huge and this bodybuilding built. I was so amazed by it that someday I’ll get my own bulldog. He will be like the dog that I always wanted to hug and take around with me all the time.

Bulldogs aren’t cheap. I have been in the Philippines for some time and I managed to build my career and started doing my own thing. I figured it was now about time for me to get my own bulldog. It took me awhile to get the right bulldog for me. I wanted the dog that was good looking; at the same time: lovable and has that beautiful heart.

That’s when I met my American Bully puppy. The moment I saw his eyes, I instantly fell in love with this pup. He kept running around and started licking my hard like crazy. This is the pup that I wanted to take home with me. I was so excited to bring him home that I already bought his pet food, play pen and his food bowl. I was getting ready to take him on long road trips and have great vlogging moments. He was going to grow old and we will be best buds for life. I was already planning on cropping his ears so that he can look menacing and awesome at the same time.

A bunch of names came to my head on what to name my dog. I decided to call him Chico for two reasons. Chico came from the word chick-boy since he loved being around girls. I also got Chico from the famous Japanese dog “Hachiko” since he was so loyal to his master and friend. Chico seem to be the perfect name for him!

As any normal puppy, I had to give him his vaccinations, since he can catch a lot of diseases along the way. He had to go through four vaccinations, and then lastly his rabies shot. Few weeks gone by since I was so busy with clients, vlogging since my job involves a lot of traveling. I finally found the time to bring Chico to the vet for his first vaccination shot. I decided to check this vet out. I found this vet and Chico seem so excited to roam around the clinic. I didn’t want to put him on the floor at first but the doctor said that it was okay to put Chico on the floor since it was cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. I visited again the next couple of days. The doctor was late and Chico roamed around the clinic for 3-4 hours like the happy go lucky pup he is. I loved seeing Chico go around the floor and barking. He was such an attention seeking dog.  It made me smile and made hug him more like crazy. I thought to myself that we’re going to be buds forever.

On May 9, 2019. he started vomiting his food out and he looked weak. He started having a foul-smelling diarrhea, lethargic, loss of appetite and a fever. I got so worried but it was already late at night. The next day on May 10, 2019, I took Chico to the vet since the vet was close by and it was confirmed that he got the Parvo virus. I was wondering how the hell he get it when he was at home the entire time. The Doctor injected Canglob D to chico. According to him, it contains antibodies manufactured to specifically fight the Canine Parvo virus. This mode of treatment is only effective against the virus during the first phase. I started to wonder on why he didn’t put IV Dextrose to Chico since Chico wasn’t eating or drinking since last night. I bought the medicines that the Doctor advised me to get. I then took Chico home and started getting advice from everyone in the dog community.

From Ceralac to Gatorade. Dextrose Water to Nano Silver, I did everything to make Chico get better. Chico still managed to walk up to me and lie down on my lap. I would give him his medicines and we would watch movies on my phone. I didn’t want to leave him. I have to admit that I was so worried. He still kept bleeding from pooping. He also struggled to eat his food and medications. He was in great pain and he still managed to walk up to me, lie on my lap and lick my hand. I still kept a brave face and I said, “Chico, we will get through this. Once you get better, we will go all the trips that I planned for you.”

I kept telling Chico that everything is going to be okay and I gave the biggest hug that anyone can imagine. I kissed him on the head and I told him, I’ll give your medicine again in the morning. Try to sleep, okay little buddy? You need some rest”. He was in pain and with his big eyes, I could see that he was crying. It broke my heart but I didn’t know on what else to do.

The next morning, I woke up to check on Chico. I said, “Good Morning, Chico! How are you today?” He didn’t move. I said “Chico, it’s time to get up now. It’s time for your medicine”. He didn’t move. I went up to him and tried to move him. I said, “Chico? Little buddy wake up”. He didn’t move. His body is still warm. I panicked. I tried moving him and started shouting. “Chico! Buddy! Wake up please! It’s not funny!”. He didn’t move. It was only then that I realized that he was gone. I kept moving him and said, “Chico, please wake up” and I was already in tears since I knew he was gone with his eyes were wide open. I tried to hug him to get a reaction out of him but my little Chico was gone. It ripped me apart.

I rubbed him one last time on his head and stomach with tears going down my face and I kept saying “Chico, it’s okay little buddy.  You’re no longer hurting. It’s okay. You can go to doggy heaven now.” I decided to cover him up along with his toy and favorite duck that he loves to chew on. It was the hardest thing that I ever had to do in my life. I had to bury my best buddy in the whole world.

As I was digging his grave, I was so mad at myself because I let Chico roam around the clinic floor and he got the Parvo virus from the clinic. I felt like it was my fault that little Chico has to leave this world so early. I kept smashing the hard ground with the shovel. I didn’t realize on how upset I was that I broke the shovel into two. I broke the shovel, but I still needed to finish Chico final resting place. I took the shovel head and continued digging until the grave was big enough for little Chico. I finally put Chico into the grave and it was the hardest thing for me to see and do. As I covered little Chico, tears started to flow down my face again and I said in my head, “Chico, I’m so sorry that I didn’t protect you as I should have. I did on what I could to let you live little buddy. I hope you can forgive me. I didn’t deserve a good pup like you. You did nothing bad. You didn’t deserve to get so much pain and leave this world in such a cruel way.”

I made a small cross for Chico with his name and his birthday. He would have been 4 months on May 19, 2019. All of sudden, it started to rain. It poured like crazy and rain was all around me. It rained heavy. I realized Chico went to heaven on Mother’s day and I was happy that it rained since I needed it. I just stared at his grave and said to Chico, “You’re no longer in pain, little buddy. Show them dogs in heaven on who is the fastest and lovable dog ever. Give my Lola and Lolo up in heaven a big lick and hug. I’ll miss you buddy”. I realized that I would never see Chico again. I would only see him on the few photos and videos that we had together.

I was so tired and emotional that I finally went to sleep. All of sudden, something started licking my hand. It was Chico! He came back! He jumped on me, started to lick my arm and face. I was so happy that I gave him the biggest kiss on the head and biggest hug with tears of joy. It was great seeing Chico all good and healthy again! At the same time, I realized that I’m dreaming. I just said to Chico, “It’s okay, little buddy. You can go to heaven now. I just wanted to know that you’re okay. I just wanted you to know that I miss you and love you, little buddy.” He gave me the best bark that I ever heard in my life and then he ran out and he looked and it seemed that smiled me at one last time. It was like he was telling me, thank you for everything and I miss you too. He ran back to me again, licked me one last time on the face, started to run away and he disappeared.

I woke up from my dream. I was happy that I saw Chico one last time, all good and healthy. I’m going to miss seeing him every morning. I am going to miss the way he eats his food and how he loves to takes a nice cold bath. I am a tough persona and I get into a lot of fights back when I was a kid. I never showed my weak side. I guess Chico showed me on what a softy that I can be.

I just want to give a piece of advice to all the dog lovers in the Philippines. I already gave it in a Facebook group but I’ll say it here as well. Never trust on what any vet says. Always have your options and be on your guard. Protect your pup at all cost, germs and other places that he they can catch diseases. Never put them on the floor at any establishment no matter how clean it is. I was naïve about this and I lost Chico.

Run free little Chico! You’re no longer in pain. Your room is still your room and you’re always welcome to visit. I’ll miss you little buddy. I hope you can make time to visit me when you’re done running with all the dogs and angels up in heaven. I love you little fella! Take care of your pet toy duck and have fun in doggy heaven. I am already jealous of the angels who have you in their arms. No goodbyes, Chico. I’ll see you soon little buddy.