It was almost a year ago that my dog Henry was put down. I still miss him, but I've gotten by with my other dog. It's just the movie "I Am Legend" reminded me of him, with Robert Neville (Will Smith) and his only friend, his dog Sam. I remember the best summer of my life - 2006. Each day I'd spend with Henry, and even though he never talked back, I was able to talk to him, just like in the movie. It's dogs like Henry that prove the dog really is Man's Best Friend.
I don't want to cry, so I'll move onto reviewing Henry the Green Engine. Henry has definitely been through a lot. He was the first engine faced with a potential fate. It was easy to feel sorry for him in that original season. What I've noticed is that Henry is perhaps the only character to have actually learned a lesson from a past event. Thomas teased Gordon in the premiere, he got him back, yet he still teases Gordon here and there. But Henry hasn't ever been too hasty after his illness back then. Henry is far from perfect, as he still has the occasional accident. But he has his reasons. He crashed in "Big Strong Henry" last year because he had to prove his worth again, this time to Gordon and his friends. In "Henry's Lucky Trucks", he once again only wanted to be successful, and he got too hasty.
Henry's near-scrap experience seems to also have affected him even more emotionally. He's a tree-hugger, and he often knows best, like in "Thomas and the Toy Shop". Still, I can tell that it also wrecked his self-esteem, especially when he compares himself to Gordon. But it's always nice when his spirit is lifted at the end of these episodes. But while his scars last, they were for the better. He is often just as mature as Gordon - maybe even more at times. He has a very stable character, which is something to admire. And a character with low self-esteem like Henry is great for a good future episode. Sure, there aren't many big roles he can play these days, but his character is perfect to correct the errors of another. Because, in most cases, Henry really is the 'straight man' of the Steam Team. Overall, Thomas, Edward, Gordon, James, Percy and Emily have general flaws. Toby and Henry together suffer from self-esteem issues that help them see the bigger picture. And without major egos all the time, Henry is one of those characters that can set things right. So let's cheer Henry on!
Click here to watch my Henry tribute!
