5 September 2021

One of the recent patients at Sasha’s Teddy Bear Hospital, Ted, is returning home after some pretty comprehensive treatment.

In the course of his long life, Ted had been patched up and repaired many times. At some point, he had had his head sewn back on the wrong way round. As he had also lost his eyes, he probably was not even aware that he was facing backwards)) Be that as it may, having spent some time at the STBH, Ted now feels better than ever. He looks forward (in more ways than one) to being passed on to the next generation in its current owner's family.

23 August

This panda (called Panda) has been one of the most challenging patients at Sasha’s Teddy Bear Hospital.

Panda is quite old, and arrived literally in pieces, so he had to undergo serious reconstructive surgery. I was really impressed by Panda's owner, who had kept - and sent to me -  most of the bits and even the stuffing. I used new felt as "lining" for Panda's head and body, and sewed on top of it all the pieces I had, plus some matching new ones. The latter had to be aged artificially to look like the original. In the end, the patient was well enough to enjoy a bit of sunshine in the garden before travelling back home.

21 August

Many younger patients have been treated at Sasha’s Teddy Bear Hospital this summer. Some were no more than 6 years old, but so well loved that they needed some attention))). By the way, few of them have been Teddies - I have had dogs, bunnies, a lemur, and even a giraffe!

18 July

Today I said good-bye to Bruno, who spent several weeks at Sasha’s Teddy Bear Hospital.

Bruno is over 100 years old, and has always been much loved, not least by a dog)). Because of his age, getting him back into shape was no easy task, but he showed examplary patience.  When Bruno's owner (who had him since birth) came to collect him, her first words were: It's him! This is how I remember him! This was the highest praise I could have hoped for, because my main aim is always to restore the Teddy, not change him!

28 May

Another patient checked out of Sasha’s Teddy Bear Hospital today and is now reunited with his adoring owner in London. Big Ted, a lovely bear aged at least 50, was admitted a few days ago. He had quite a few holes all over - not from any ill-treatment but quite the opposite: he was well loved, and therefore carried around and hugged daily and nightly for many years. He was on his best behaviour while on the ward, bearing patiently (pardon the pun) all the pricking and stitching. He also made friends with some of my Teddies who help me around the Hospital.

This sensitive little bear is called Oliver. You can probably see that he is rather shy, but he is also very kind. So, if you are feeling down, he will overcome his shyness, pat you on the arm and sit next to you. He may even say something very reassuring in that tiny voice of his (you have to listen really hard to hear it). And then, believe me, you will immediately feel so much better!

My latest two Teddies are cousins, possibly a few times removed))) Joseph, on the left in this family album photo, is a bear who never ceases to be amazed by what he sees and hears. His two great passions in life are the circus and long novels. According to Joseph, his particular favourite is that great book by Thomas Bearr, Joseph and His Brothers. His cousin Gregory is a nice bear, bubbly and easygoing, but often a bit confused. He knows very well that there is definitely something he wants to do in life, but he cannot quite remember exactly what it is. When Gregory feels even more confused than usually, he comes to Joseph for advice. He freely admits that his cousin, even if only slightly older, is much much wiser.

I would like you to meet my new Teddy. His name is Roderick. He is a dapper little bear, kind, genial and very neat in his habits. So why, you may ask, do his friends call him Nuts? The answer is quite simple. No-one, of course, thinks that Roderick is crazy. No, the nickname came about because he is, to put it mildly, rather partial to nuts and dried fruit. Believe it or not, he even prefers them to such traditional bear delicacies as honey and... er... more honey)))

My Teddy Bear Hospital has just discharged its first patient of 2021. The patient, who will remain anonymous, was a much loved and very nice Teddy of a certain age (probably about 60).

He was admitted a couple of weeks earlier because he had lost his voice! My first task, therefore, was to give him his voice back. After he was admitted, a further ailment was discovered: a very sore left foot. This too given all due attention, and the Teddy eventually had the entire sole replaced. The process involved 'ageing' the patch so that it would not look out of place on a 60-year-old.

The Teddy has now been reuinted with his owner, who was very pleased to see him - and hear him too!