Henry Goodrich and Laurice Rountree are engaged

Henry Goodrich and Laurice Rountree with his dog Lily at the Poodle Party

Photo by Paul L. Schuetze/The Times

News flash!

Oil man/artist Henry Goodrich and Laurice Rountree are engaged to be married. Plans are not finalized yet, but they are thinking September for the ceremony.

Goodrich presented the solitaire in a Tiffany setting — purchased from Sid Potts — to Rountree Wednesday. Goodrich, Rountree and Goodrich’s dog, a Havanese named Lily, stopped by the Poodle Party at the home of Bill and Ruth Atkins late that afternoon, shared their special news and received "best wishes" to Rountree and "congratulations" to Goodrich. (It wasn't officially, but it turned into an engagement announcement party for them as word spread through the crowd.)

"I told her she was too old to be a ‘trophy wife,’ but she is my trophy!" quipped Goodrich, in a later interview.

Lily received the "best exotic dog" award.

More news about Goodrich, "I am painting up a storm."

Dr. Charles Sale — the 2008 Holiday in Dixie Cotillion king — and wife Katherine were also hosts for Poodle Party, a popular early spring gathering.

Dogs are guests of honor and receive treats as party favors.