The Three of Us

My Mom, Tanya is so thoughtful.  She always takes the time to celebrate either my birthday or Sambuca’s.  As per my human, it is a very special day, as it is the day we were born.  Like I don’t remember, but whatever, we’ll go with that.

Our birthday involves a whole day of fun!  Instead of a morning walk around the neighbourhood, she throws us in the backseat of the Nissan Kicks and we either go to Shubie Park or to the Ocean.  I love going to the Ocean since it involves plenty of beach where Tanya throws my Frisbee to fetch.  I get to carry it on my own but let’s save that for another story.

It also entails extra treats and apparently, they are extra special.  Whatever lady.  Just give me the goods.

On some occasions, Tanya takes out some sort of thing to put on our heads and attempts to take pictures.  However, me no like these sort of shenanigans and I try to boycott.  But she’s the boss, or so she says, and I eventually play along.

The best part is, on your birthday, you gets a present.  It’s wrapped in fancy paper and Tanya helps us unwrap it.  Surprise – it’s a dog toy!!

Now, I am still a puppy but, as per Sambuca, my older cool sister, it’s always a toy and we get to name it.  And then we play with it.  Tanya squeaks it and throws the new item around for us. Sometimes I think she enjoys these toys more than us.

And she has a great memory for the names.

“Appy, come here.” I obey.

Squeak. Squeak. “Remember, the Devil?” It’s a small red devil. I nod at her. I vaguely recall. “This was your first dog toy, my little love, when you arrived.” she explains.

If you say so Mom.  “Go get it!” and this red thing gets thrown into the living room.

I comply and get it and return it to Tanya.

“Good girl, Appy!!!” she exclaims.

Now, today we are on a road trip to Saint John, New Brunswick.  It’s actually Tanya’s birthday tomorrow and there will be a huge celebration. 

She’s been explaining to Sambuca and I for weeks about this trip and that she is turning a big number.

I don’t know what is a big number but I am assuming it is got to be like 10 or 11 since Sambuca is 9 and Tanya calls her a big girl.

Tanya, Sambuca and I always stay with Uncle Mike when we go to Saint John.  The car is fully loaded with her luggage, our dog food, dog toys, dog treats, dog beds. There a box full of booze (as she calls it), a few bags of food, a blanket and a few other miscellaneous things.  I’m thinking, doesn’t Uncle Mike have any food where he lives?

We arrive and we all get settled in.  It’s great to see our uncle but sometimes Tanya calls Mike her husband, so I believe, wouldn’t that make him my Dad?  I have asked Sambuca and she’s as confused as me.  We just go with it.

Our Mom’s birthday is filled with her being on the phone a lot and people wishing her a happy day.  Uncle Mike prepares Tanya a bowl of fruit for breakfast and my sister and I benefit as well getting a few blueberries and chucks of banana.  Oh I love blueberries! 

Tanya and Mike leave Sambuca and I as they go out to run errands and do a Costco run.  I don’t know what or who is Costco, but I wish I could have joined them.

Sambuca and I wait.  And wait.  And wait some more for their return.

I wonder how far this Costco run place is?

“They’re back!!!!” Sambuca announces and jumps off the couch and walks to the door.

They are? How do you know? I ask.

Did you hear that? It’s the garage door opening and that means they are here.

She wasn’t wrong.  My big sis rarely is.  We stand at the door where we can see out onto the stairs. 

And then, I see them at the bottom!  They really are back! Momma! Mom!!!!

Both Sambuca and I are barking.  Get up here already!  What are they waiting for?

Tanya rushes up the stairs and bends down to greet both of us.  We shower her with kisses because that’s what we do with our human. 

Uncle Mike is not far behind saying, “Stop barking!” and we both jump on him in pure excitement.

“Down! Down!” he insists.

“Husband, they are thrilled to see you! That’s how they show you.” Tanya explains to him. Yeah mister, we love you. Don’t be a grumpy bear.

He gives in and bends down to receive some schnauzer love.

We all go out again for a walk and this time it’s not Tanya who has my leash but Uncle Mike and he’s awful with it. 

“Appy stop!” Mike says.  What? What? I look up at him as Tanya and Sambuca keep walking.

I try to run to catch up. “Appy! No pulling!” His tone of voice goes up.

Tanya and Sambuca stop and wait for us. “What’s wrong?” she asks.

Mike announces, “Just because your Mom is bad and let’s you pull on the leash and go from one side to another, doesn’t mean I do!” It’s like the man is talking to me but he’s looking at my Mom.

“They want to smell, let them.” She states.  Yeah, you set him straight, Mom.

We continue on our walk together.  Sambuca has freedom versus me being stuck to a more restricted stroll with my so-called uncle.

Tanya and Mike leave us AGAIN after we get our supper and this time it feels like much longer.  It gets dark and now am I wondering if everything is okay.  I turn to Sambuca.

“Don’t worry, kiddo.” It’s like she can read my mind.  “Tanya always comes back.”

I nod my head and curl back up on the couch.

Time goes by and then we hear a lot of talking from people on the street.  Then the front door opens and all these folks outside are coming into Mike’s home.

OMG. OMG. 

It’s Tanya and Mike.  And then I see our Uncle Robert. Sambuca is barking and her tail is going a mile a minute.  There’s Uncle Blake and Auntie Georgia too!  And I think I see Auntie Valerie.

There are many people coming up the stairs it hard for me see who is here!

OMG. My Auntie Amelia from Montreal, Quebec where Tanya and I are from!!!  She picks me up and hugs me.  “Hi Appy!! Remember me????”

Of course I do!! You were the second human I met when you and Tanya came to get me.

There is also Uncle D who is a famous doctor in the area so that’s what I remember him to and his partner, Uncle Pierre. There is also Auntie Lori.

Everyone is saying hi to Sambuca and I and finally, I get a chance to see my Mom.  “Hello my App! Did you miss me?” she asks.

I’m in her arms and kissing her face, yes, yes, YES Momma I missed you.  Sambuca too.  Why are so many people here???

“We are celebrating my birthday and so all our closest friends are here to celebrate with us!” she explains.

Folks settle into the living room and some are in the kitchen, each with a glass in their hand.  There are a lot of snacks and it’s the Best Night Ever as people are giving me pieces of cheese, chips and even a few crackers.  Delicious, delicious.  I’m so hungry! This lady rarely feeds me.  Of course, I give everyone the ‘Tanya doesn’t give me any food, ever’ look.

Later on, Auntie Georgia and Uncle Mike are walking into the room with a cake and two candles on it.  Everyone is singing, “Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Tanya, happy birthday to you!!”

Is my Mom only two? That wouldn’t make any sense.  Sambuca is nine.

The yummy looking birthday cake gets placed in front of Tanya and she’s about to blow out the candles.

I move in closer.  So does Sambuca.  I see the candles now.  It’s the number five.  Next to it is a zero.

I turn to Sambuca and she nods her head.  Yes, Tanya is 50 years old today.

50.

Wow!

She’s so, so, soooooooo old.  I don’t think she looks fifty, although she does act like she’s not a day over 45.  But what do I know?

I’m just happy to be in her life with Sambuca, and be surrounded with all her friends.