Henry, Henry, Henry

Henry’s 1/2 birthday is on November 10. He’ll be 1 1/2. Where has the time gone?  Here’s the story of how he came to be part of our little family. 

Years ago in Toronto, Frankie told me that he wanted a puppy, a Corgi. He was very specific about that (he loves their little floofy butts). He pestered me for years, promising to take good care of him/her. I indulged him a little by finding a breeder in Ontario, who happened to be 20 minutes from the family farm. Frankie was convinced that was fate – it was meant to be!  Ultimately though, I had to tell him no, because we lived in an apartment. But Frankie never gave up on his dream.

Fast forward to our move back to the country. It didn’t take long for Frankie to resume his pressure campaign for a Corgi puppy. When things blew up with the ex, I had to break Frankie’s heart by saying no again. There was no way we could have a puppy while things were so violent in the house. I said we could resume the conversation once the jackass left. 

As previously reported, the jackass finally vacated the premises on March 31, 2023.  Almost immediately, Frankie started up again about a puppy. So Ruth and I had a conversation – she had some conditions before she would give into Frankie. She’s much more strict than I am. 

1. The puppy would be mine. 
2. All expenses were mine. 
3. I was solely responsible for taking it for walks, especially in the winter. 
4. I was responsible for house training. 
5. I was solely responsible for taking it for walks, especially in the winter. AND
6. I was solely responsible for taking it for walks, especially in the winter. 

She was pretty adamant about the winter walks. 

All conditions agreed to, in the spring of 2023 I contacted Rail Edge in Bothwell and went through an interview where they gauged if I was prepared for a puppy, and I completed an application. I was put on the wait list for a Pembroke Welsh Corgi!  They said the wait depended on Mother Nature, but was typically 12-18 months. 

In September 2023, Ruth and I visited Rail Edge to see the kennel, and to play with puppies. The facility was clean and bright, and it looked like they treated the dogs as a part of their family. The couple who ran the kennel had several small children who played with the puppies. I left even more convinced that this was going to be a good thing. 

Fast forward to early June 2024. Jeremy from Rail Edge emailed to say that my puppy had been born on May 10, and would be ready to come home with me on July 6. Let the countdown begin!  That was the longest 5 weeks of my life!  Frankie’s too!

July 6 finally came, and we picked up Henry for the ride home. He cried the entire 20 minute drive. He settled in really quickly, though, and stole my heart.  It wasn’t long before he was sleeping in my bed. So much for crate training!

There were moments where I thought “what have I done?”; Ruth had similar thoughts. Frankie had no regrets, though. He and Henry became good friends (although Frankie didn’t do any of the work as he had promised). Henry also became friends with Spitty – I think he might be Henry’s favourite. 

Henry and I had lots of early adventures together: matching hoodies, trips to the beach, his first trip to Starbucks for a pup cup. He was very brave and curious!

Henry grew very fast, but mostly in length. His legs are still too little to climb the stairs. The spoiled little boy gets carried up to bed every night, and down again every morning!  Henry was excited to celebrate his half-birthday in November 2024. 

Then Christmas came, and he got to meet Santa! 

He quickly developed a love of snow – he’s so happy running around and burrowing his nose into the snow. And he was the perfect Valentine, and then Easter Bunny!

Before we knew it, it was his first birthday!  And we had to have a party!  Henry has always been a real charmer with the ladies, so my girlfriends came for brunch and celebrated Henry!  It was also Heidi’s birthday, so she got a party hat too!  More about the party in an upcoming post. 

The summer since then has flown by. He helped with the rhubarb harvest, and he’s really enjoyed all the treats I’ve baked him with the fresh local produce. He loves hanging out with his momma in the backyard on summer afternoons. 

He had his annual checkup in early September, and he’s a perfect, healthy puppy. He’s on the high end of a normal weight (32lbs!) so we have to watch his treats. Well, he is a Clark!

I love the little guy. He’s crazy smart, and he has the best personality. He will be my biggest heartbreak one day. But it will all have been worth it. ❤️