Calendar Poodle SAL

Monday, December 2, 2013

Happy Birthday Henry!

Hi friends! Yes, our little boy is 4 today! Yay! Isn't he just the sweetest?!
We are so thankful  and blessed to have this little cuddlebug as our very own. We still ask each other, "How could they have sold him, at 3 1/2 years old?!!" None of us know. But we are glad he is ours. ;)

Since Henry is only 4 lbs, he really does not enjoy the cold and snow much. I knew I wanted to make him a smart, little coat. Why not for his birthday? Perfect. I used this tutorial to make him a Country Gent Tweed Coat.
Does he look handsome or what?!♥ Very warm too. =)
This rascal didn't want to pose for me. Instead of putting him out in a snow bank,( I could have) I made it snow magically inside. ;)
Henry also has a new job, thank you very much. He and I went to visit Brian's 94 year old grandmother last month. He was a "big" hit with the old folks. They just loved him. He lets everyone pet him. He sat on laps and was content. I chatted away with the elderly.

This got me to thinking. I used to make home visits with the elderly from our church congregation. I enjoyed it and it sure brought happiness to some older people too. Now to be an "official therapy dog" you need to take courses and then test and pass. Henry was born with this fabulous temperament. We don't have the money for courses, tests and gas and such. Henry just "is" a therapy dog. A natural. So Madeleine actually encouraged me and showed interest in joining me when I told her I would like to take him to our local Assisted Living care center. (Brian's grandmother is rather far away for frequent visits) When a 15 year old displays interest in visiting elderly, I am not going to pass that up!

So we went. The nurses we met on staff thought it was a great idea. It went very well. We visited with about 8 individuals. They truly appreciated someone to visit with. And they adore Henry! Their eyes just light up their whole face. I am so happy to see anyone that happy, even if just for a little bit.
I have bought some Christmas cards from the dollar store. I will sign them with my name( and Madeleine, if she goes with next time) and Henry's name too. I will draw a little cartoon poodle. As a reminder of who Henry is. So many residents have memory issues. We will be going again for our visit very soon. =)

I am stitching on gifts and  Mary's Sampler during this long weekend. So hard! I want to just hide in my room with my Henry ornaments and get on with it!! But the kids have no idea of the ornaments thus far, why wreck the surprise. Back to them tomorrow when they are all in school again.

Thanks for stopping by today friends! I hope your day is richly blessed!

Stitching and praying,
Vickie

38 comments:

Ele said...

What a lovely little dog your Henry!
Thanks for stopping by my dear Vickie,
hope that you can enjoy the Christmas time too

hugs
Gabriele

Anonymous said...

Cute little dog ❤❤

Chris said...

Happy Birthday Henry! He looks so handsome in his new jacket. What a great thing you both are doing in going to the nursing home!

Karol R Johns said...

Happy Birthday Henry! What a wonderful thing to do with your visits!

Shirlee said...

Oh my friend ... what a beautiful, beautiful thing you are doing! Perhaps you were blessed with Henry just for this purpose : ) God bless you, & Madeleine, for your thoughtfulness! Sophie wishes Henry a very happy birthday!

Catherine said...

Happy Birthday to Henry!! He looks so dashing and smart in his new jacket! So nice to hear that Henry is spreading smiles and how wonderful that Madeleine has taken an interest too ~ a rewarding thing to do for sure...

Margaret said...

Awwww, sweet Henry! Happy birthday to him! Looks like he likes his new present too! Nice and warm! What a great thing too, to go visit the elderly with Madeleine and Henry. A wonderful idea for sure! Good luck with the secret stitching!

Giovanna said...

Many Happy Returns, Henry! What a smart coat you made him, lovely :-)

Annie said...

Looks like Henry had a great birthday. His new coat is very elegant! And what a nice way to share Henry's cuteness... being an honorary therapy dog couldn't be a better use of his time!

Sweet Sue said...

smoochies to the birthday boy, looks very smart in his new coat, nice job vickie, good for you! so thoughtful of you and he to give the loving gift of a visit:) wishing yo both a lovely week to come...

Brigitte said...

He's such a lovely and friendly little dog. No wonder that his presence could make the elderly happy.

New York State Of Mind said...

Happy Birthday to Henry. This is funny. Pierre's Birthday is on Wednesday. How could anyone sell such a beautiful dog as Henry? I wonder the same about Pierre. Love the coat you made for Henry - it is beautiful. So Henry has a job now??? Some dogs, like Henry, don't need training, they are born with it. He is a special little boy with a big heart. Give Henry and Mabel a hug from Pierre and me.

Marilyn and Pierre

Lumiruusu said...

Hello Vickie!
Thank You for the First Advent post-it really touchedd me because the First Advent is sucha big celebration here in Finland.
Iam so happy that Henry and You has visited elderly people.Be blessed Your loving heart!

Parsley said...

I adore him and his new coat! Henry was the name of our sweet boy who is now gone. It's a special name for special boys.

Carol said...

My what a dapper young dog Henry is in his sweet jacket! You did a wonderful job on it, Vickie, and I know his visits will delight the older patients. My dad, too, absolutely lights up when he sees a dog or a child visiting his dementia unit :)

Varla Lee said...

Amorrreeee!! I want to cudle him every time i saw his pics!!! Give him and the Lady big hugs from me, and all the best wishes for u and for the furry babies!!

butterfly said...

Happy Birthday Henry, you do look very handsome .
Lovely post Vickie and what a lovely thing to do , older folk will love seeing Henry.

Julie said...

Happy birthday Henry.
I've had a lovely catch up read, lots of beautiful stitching you've been doing.

Krista said...

So very sweet! Happy Birthday to Henry!

Michelle said...

Happy Birthday Henry - you are indeed the sweetest little dog xx

Simply Victoria said...

Happy Birthday to Mr. Dapper! It is our Gina's birthday too. She is 11 today.
Awesome for the 3 of you visiting and caring for the elderly.

Annette-California said...

Happy Birthday Henry! LOVE his new coat Vickie. Oh my he is styling. I got all teary eyed when I read your visiting the elderly. What a angel you are Vickie to do such a tender loving gesture and Henry too:)
Thank you for making some folks day.
love Annette

Anne said...

Happy Birthday Henry! He is so cute and I love his coat. I bet the people at the home will just be so happy to have little Henry visit them for awhile. Cheer up their day. Good luck with the frenzied stitching! I'm all in a panic too trying to get things finished! Love and prayers...Anne

Unknown said...

What a sweetie! I posted some pics of my babies on my blog today. Hope you can take a look.

Maggee said...

Happy Birthday Henry! Sounds like he is a sweet little puppy! And what a great idea to visit folks like that! Hugs!

Astrids dragon said...

A woofy birthday to Henry, he's a very stylish cutie pie!

moreofhim said...

Happy Birthday to Henry! I can't imagine why they chose to sell him either, but isn't he so blessed to be with you?! He's so adorable. I'm so glad that you're able to visit the seniors...seeing that sweet little face would light up anyone's day! I love the coat you made him! I'm going to have to try that one for my babies!

Blessings - Julie

Andrea said...

Happy Birthday Henry.

What a wonderful thing to do.

EvalinaMaria said...

Happy birthday to Henry!

Lillie said...

He is so lucky to have you.
You have a big heart and what a wonderful thing to do.

♥ Nia said...

Happy bday little guy :D
And a sweet hug to you =)

diamondc said...

Henry: How lucky you are to have found a beautiful Family to love you, I wish you all the luck in the world with your volunteer work with the care centers.
You positively are a doll, Blondie the cat says hello to you.
Merry Christmas

Catherine

diamondc said...

Henry: I forgot to tell you Blondie the cat says you look so handsom in your new coat.
Merry Christmas

Catherine

Melissa said...

Wow this is amazing Vicki!

Myra said...

Henry and his coat are so cute! Great job!

Unknown said...

The coat you made is so sweet. Very professional looking. I have tried to sew and it's just not something I can get into but you have a flair for it.

Jackie's Stitches said...

I don't think you could have gotten a better suited piece of attire for Henry! I LOVE the top photo where he has his feet in front of him. Dapper is certainly the word!

Beth said...

Happy birthday Henry! What a sweetie.