The Three of Us

My mom loves the ocean.  I think it is because she was born and raised in Montreal, on the Saint Lawrence Seaway. She calls herself a city girl, but deep down she is a water girl at heart.  Her happy place is near the ocean or in a kayak on a lake.

When I was barely three months old, Mom took us on a road trip to Prince Edward Island.  My first road trip was when we drove from Quebec to my new home in New Brunswick, but I will save that story for another time.

It was over the Thanksgiving long weekend and Mom had a new car. For years, she drove an old Mazda.  She loved that car.  It was standard.  (How do I know? You’re going to love that story. Stay tuned!)  Unfortunately, the old Tan-mobile had seen better days and we needed new wheels. Momma’s mechanic friend hooked her up with a new to her SUV that had all the bells and whistles. It was a nice upgrade for her, and for Sambuca and me. Road trips are fun when you are higher up in the backseat!  

After what seemed like a very long drive, we finally arrived at what my Mom called ‘The Island’.

“We are almost there, girls!” She raised her arm and pressed a button on the ceiling. All of a sudden, the roof above us started open! Sambuca’s ears stood up and she looked up at the gap appearing above us.  I looked up too.

“It’s okay girls, it’s the sunroof!” She raised her voice a little, over of the sound of the rush of fresh air coming into the car.  “No need to be afraid.”

Mom raised her arm up through the big hole in the roof.  “See? All safe.”

She lowered her window halfway.  More warm air started flowing into the car.

Sambuca stood up and put her front paws on the arm rest by the window behind Tanya.  She smiled at me. “Watch this.”

She put her paw on a button and the window started to go down. Sambuca stuck her nose out.

WOW! Was I impressed! My big Sis is awesome!

I tried it on my side but could barely reach the ledge where the buttons were. I needed to be bigger.

Sambuca pressed the button again and the window went down some more.  Impressive!

Tanya slowed down and looked back over her shoulder.  “No Sambuca!  Don’t do that, my love.”  And somehow, she made the window go up. Did I mention my mom is magic?

“Darn it.  She’s onto me.” Sambuca sounded disappointed.

Mom drove for a while. Finally, she shouted “We’re here!!  Appy this will be your first visit to the ocean!”

What’s the ocean?

She parks and jumps out of the car.  The back door opens, and Tanya puts our leashes on.  She grabs something from the floor. It is a small football on a rope.  She lifts Sambuca and me out and sets us down on the ground.

The air smells different here.  It is a good different.

Sambuca is pulling on her leash so Tanya will walk faster.  She somehow knows what direction to go.  My Sis is nine and has a lot of experience.  Me, I’m only three months old and this is all new.  I follow Sambuca’s lead and start to pull too.

Let’s go, Momma!

We get to the sand.  It is nice to walk on.  I hear a weird noise.

“That’s The ocean, Appy!” Sambuca tells me.

“The ocean, my girls!!” Mom has excitement in her voice. It’s as if her whole mood has changed.

I see sand and water.  It seems like there are miles and miles of beach.  The air is cool and warm at the same time.

Tanya bends down and unclips our leashes.  Sambuca starts jumping up and down.

“Throw it! Throw it!”

“Okay, Sambuca, go get the ball!” and the small football flies through the air, with the rope trailing behind.

Sambuca runs to get it.  I follow.  She picks it up in her mouth and runs back to Tanya.  I follow.

My big sister is fast.  I never get to the ball before her. Frig. How is this fun for me?

Momma reads my mind.  “Okay, Sambuca, let’s see if Appy can get it.”

She holds onto Sambuca’s collar and throws the ball, but not as far as before. 

I run toward it.  I got it! I got it!!

I pick it up by the rope.  It’s a little heavy for me but I manage to drag it up onto the sand.  “Good girl, Appy! You got it!” 

I sure do, Momma!

Sambuca gives me a look.  “You know that’s mine, right?”

I don’t know what to say, but yes seems appropriate. 

“Good answer.”

Momma gently takes the toy football from me.  “We share everything now, Sambuca.  Appy is your little sister and she’s just a puppy, okay?”

Haha!  “Did you hear that, Sambuca?” I give her a look right back.  I am not afraid.  Okay, maybe a little.

“But Appy, you must learn to respect Sambuca.  It’s been just her & I for a very long time.”  Tanya starts to explain.  Blah. Blah. Blah.

Just throw that toy already, lady.

I will find my way into this family.  I will win Sambuca’s heart one day. 

We continue to play throw-the-football-and-let-one-of-us bring it back. Momma takes off her shoes and walks barefoot on the sand.  She walks into the water.  The football toy gets picked up by the tide and washes out into the ocean. Sambuca is quick to snare it and pulls it back. Momma gives her lots of praise.

“Appy, you want to put your paws in the ocean?” Tanya asked me.

Hmmmmm…. me not sure.

“It’s okay, my little one.  See momma’s feet in the water, and Sambuca’s paws too.  It’s safe.” 

I slowly approach them as the waves come rushing toward us and then roll back out.

A big wave comes in and soaks us!  Mom laughs.  Sambuca runs down the beach and shakes off the water.

I’m wet and I am not impressed.  That ocean is cold, lady.

I run toward my big sister and shake my icy body. 

Tanya scoops me up into her arms.  “Oops, sorry Appy.  That’s the ocean for you!  Let’s go back to the car and I’ll dry your girls off with a towel.”

Brrr.  Yes, please.

And that, folks, was my first experience at the ocean.