POV: Henry

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Hi! My name is Henry. I am 50% dalmatian and 50% standard poodle. Also known as a dalmadoodle. I am a little over 4 months old. My mommy’s therapist said she needed a companion for emotional support when my mommy is feeling lonely because of the level of distress it causes her. I am the bestest boy for my mommy. I listen almost every time. She gives me tons of treats and puzzles to keep my brain and mind sharp. She’s taught me lots of things like how to sit, shake, lay, and jump. She’s taught me that my kennel is a safe place open any time. I’m learning that truck rides are so much fun and full of adventure. My brothers and sisters (3 humans, 2 cats) are my very best friends. Although, one brother and one sister don’t really care for me and swat at me when I walk by, but I love them anyway and am always ready to play! My daddy gives the best tummy rubs and can throw my toys the furthest, which I love. It always gives me the zoomies after.

I know I can never replace the ones before me, but I hope they know that I’m doing my absolute best to make them all smile.

Nature Thirsty

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

This is a tough question because I haven’t tasted the Earth yet really. I’ve only been to a few states within the United States. I haven’t filled my eyes with the beauty of the world yet so I’m not sure where I’d love to spend the rest of my days. So far, all the places I’ve lived, haven’t really felt like home. Not really even my hometown.

Self Care

What have you been working on?

Myself.

I have been spending the majority of the past few months working on myself the most. Getting myself healthy, physically and mentally. Getting bad teeth fixed, seeing a therapist, regularly seeing my doctor. Taking new medications.

I want to feel like myself again and these are the steps to take first. But I will prevail.

Down To Business

What alternative career paths have you considered or are interested in?

I have been thinking about this a lot lately, actually. My husband is currently going to school for what he has always dreamed of going for. Me, on the other hand, have no idea what I want to do. It’s a hard decision to make for me. Unlike some people who have known since middle school or before, and stuck with it.

But how did they know? How did they know for sure that that’s what they wanted to do? I have so many things I would love to be able to do, but which one do I love more? How do I decide?

I love cooking, art, photography, animals, and trees, and so much more. How do you decide which one you want to start with at least?!

I’ve been considering Wildlife Conservation because it covers a few of those areas I love so much. I’m a “fun fact” or “did you know..” kind of girl. Wildlife Conservation covers animals, plants, and their environments. Which is the biggest interest of mine.

Major in Wildlife Conservation and minor in Photography..? I think that might be the route I’m going. For now.

Wish me luck in deciding!

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Finger Licking

What’s your favorite recipe?

Cooking and baking are some of my favorite things to do. I’ve always known that I loved baking. I’ve always been good at cooking, but I never thought I would love it just as much. Turns out I absolutely completely enjoy them both.

I have several recipes that I’ve saved while baking because baking requires precision when measuring ingredients. I have a few meal recipes saved as well, but not that many because I usually just throw it together myself without actually measuring.

So far, I think my fried chicken recipe has become my favorite.

I start by prepping the chicken, which includes tripping fat, slicing into tenders, and placing in marinade. My marinade consists of salt, creole seasoning, pickle juice, milk, water, splash of oil, chopped onion, and teaspoon of minced garlic in olive oil. Let sit for at least 30 mins.

In that time, I prep for the next step of making my chicken. I fill a pot half full of oil and set my thermometer in it and turn to medium heat.

I then grab a bowl and beat up 4 egg yolks and 2 whole eggs. Dash of salt and pepper added. In a separate bowl, I add flour, corn starch, and corn meal and mix. Then add salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, creole seasoning, onion powder, paprika, and mix.

Test the oil with little drops of flour. When it bubbles, it’s ready!

Drain half the marinade. Then coat in flour mixture, egg mixture, and flour again. Lay in away from you so it doesn’t back splash on you, and fry for around 4 minutes or until golden brown.

If you try my recipe, I hope you like it and please tell me about it.

Meaningful Names

Where did your name come from?

When I was younger, I struggled a lot with my name. I got made fun of for my name. Was always told, “That’s a boys name!”

It was always the same thing, over and over. As the years went by, I realized that no other girls had my name. Yeah, the few that have my abbreviated name. But it’s never the full name like mine.

My mama wanted something unique for a girl, but she wanted it to be kind of common at the same time.

So, she named me after my daddy, uncle, and her mama, my grandmother.

Kristopher (after my dad and uncle, just girly)

Ann (after my grandmother, Nellie Shirley Ann)

Lifting Love

What motivates you?

Lately, my anxiety and depression have had me feeling less than. Less than the person I feel I should be. I haven’t wanted to do much of anything lately.

But knowing my husband and my children need me, depending on me every day to pick them up and love them and care for them, has kept me alive.

Without them, I probably would’ve withered away by now. Without them, I feel as though I have no purpose.

So my motivation comes from all of their love. And I’m sure, they have no idea how much they all really mean to me.

Peaceful Moments

What brings you peace?

When the sun starts to set and the sky looks like a water painted canvas, as I lay my children to bed. Their precious voices asking for hugs and kisses and pats and to be tucked in, even at their growing ages, my heart warms.

I tuck them in, one by one, with a kiss, a hug, and a couple minutes of a back pat. Then, head off to my room or my couch.

I find peace in that moment knowing that I must be doing something right because I feel so much love from my family at that moment.

The little things add up to every single muscle of my heart.

Dinner Dreams

If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?

If we are talking about anyone, dead or alive, then I have a few people I would invite.

I’ll start with loved ones I’ve lost that I would love to see again.

My mama would first on that list. I lost her in April of 2021. I miss her so very much every single day.

My Shirley would be number two on that list. Shirley was my mamas mom. We lost her in August of 2005.

My best friend Erika would be third on my list. I lost her in November of 2017.

My papaw would be on this list also. My daddy’s dad. We lost him in August of 2019. Right before we found out we were pregnant with our last baby.

I’ve lost so many loved ones over the years, but these are the ones that hurt me the most. The people I miss the most. The people I remember the most.

For the ones who are still alive, I would choose my daddy, of course. He would sit next to Mama, I’m sure. My uncle Chris, my mamas brother. And my cousin Sandy.

Celebrities I might want to invite would include living and dead, Celine Dion, Betty White, Drew Barrymore, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, and Paul Walker.

Just Living

What are you most excited about for the future?

The memories that have yet to be made with my family. I am hopeful for a wonderful life and for all of our goals to be reached. So I look forward to all the memories that we will make with our babies. I can’t wait to soak in all those moments to be cherished forever. And then to share them with possible grandchildren. I am excited for the little moments in our lives. I can’t wait for every second of every day with them.