The Three of Us

I remember the time my mom, Tanya, my big sister, Sambuca and I drove to Montreal for the Christmas holidays. After a few days visiting with Uncle Mike & Robert we left New Brunswick. We were in the car for what seemed like a very long time before reaching our destination, mom’s best friend Amelia’s house in St. Lambert, Quebec. 

I was so happy to see my Auntie Amelia! I jumped into her arms and gave her a lot of kisses.  “Oh Appy! I am happy to see you! Do you remember me?” she cooed.

I sure do! You were with my momma when she first picked me up.

Sambuca reached Amelia and started her usual shriek. Amelia bent down. “Hello Sambuca.  It’s been a while.”

I watched as they reconnected.

We settled in at Amelia’s and enjoyed some quality time together.  There was a lot of laughter and joy over the next couple of days as Tanya and her best friend caught up over good food and drinks.  One night, our aunty made ossobuco.  Neither Sambuca nor I got any, but the house smelled amazing!

Now back to meeting Stella. 

Sambuca and I were in the back seat the day Tanya and Amelia drove out to the boroughs of the West Island.  Yo kid, you awake? It was Sambuca’s voice.

Yes. I sit up in the dog bed. We are going to meet Stella.  Do you recall Tanya talking to us about her?

Vaguely.

Sambuca rolls her eyes.  We are on our way to visit with Auntie Natasha and Auntie Julie.  When our mom lived with Natasha, they had Stella.

Oh right, right. I nod my head.

Well, we are on our way now for Tanya to reconnect with her and for you to meet her.

I put both paws on the arm rest and looked out the window. There were so many bright lights, tall buildings and many more cars on the road, unlike where we live.

You have to be on your best behavior tonight, okay Appy?

Aren’t I always? Wait, don’t answer that!

We eventually reach this place called Ile Bizard, or West Island, and park in front of a cute house.  I could see our other aunties running out with greetings and hugs.  I barked.  Hello, remember us in the back seat? The car door opened and we got lots of loving from Auntie Natasha and Auntie Julie.  They invited us into the house. Sambuca and Stella see each other for the first time in a while and exchanged “I remember you” barks.

Tanya came through the door and Stella ran to her.  Tanya bent down and Stella knocked her over. “Hello my girl!! How are you?”

This dog showered my momma with lots of kisses.  Excuse me miss! This is my mom.

“Oh App.” Tanya said. “Come here and meet Stella. She is my girl too along with you and Sambuca.” This woman is a mind reader sometimes.

I looked at Sambuca. Go on, she encouraged.

I moved in slowly and sniffed her butt. Hmmm. She sniffed mine.

Next thing you know, the three of us were getting acquainted, Stella, Sambuca, and me.

Amelia remarked, “Oh my God, look, an Oreo cookie!” referring to Stella having black fur, Sambuca white and me, black fur too . They all laughed.

I don’t get it.  I am not allowed to eat Oreo cookies. Lord knows I have tried.

The friends gathered in the living room with glasses of red wine. There were also some of my favorite things out – appetizers!!!

I absolutely love coffee tables! The perfect height for a miniature schnauzer like me to sniff out the good stuff.  Yum, cheese and crackers!  I could also smell some prosciutto and salami. How did my Quebec aunties know I love cold cuts?

They were yakking away when I saw my opportunity.  I snatched a piece of cheese.

“Appy!!!!” Tanya shouted.  “No, no. Bad girl! We don’t do that. No stealing.”

I swallowed the yummy bite. Sorry momma.  The cheese was calling my name.

“You wait until I give you each a piece.” She explains.

“Not for Stella!” Natasha instructed Tanya.

“How about a piece of cracker?” Tanya asks and proceeds to give a piece to Sambuca and me as well as Stella.

“Tannnnnnnnnnnnnnn!” Natasha raised her voice.

The four-legged ones were happy. Thank you, momma.

A dinner followed and Natasha announced, “I made your fav Tanya! Stuffed salmon from Costco.”

Momma replied, “Oh, I didn’t know that was a fav of mine.”

“It is.” Natasha stated and Auntie Julie laughed her head off with Amelia.

Later that evening, Sambuca is MIA.  Stella was lying next to my mom.  Yeah, I know, MY MOM.  I stared at them the entire time as I was nudged between my Montreal aunties.

It was Auntie Amelia who first noticed.

Tanya got up. “Sambuca.  Sambuca, where are you?  Sweet pea?”

She wasn’t downstairs.  Natasha and Tanya went upstairs.  A bit of time passed, and I could hear the worry in my mom’s voice as she continued to call for her.

“Found her!” Tanya declared as she carried Sambuca down the steps.

Where were you? I asked.

Under the bed in the guest room.  In the past when it was just me visiting, mom and I would stay in that room. 

“There is no reason to hide, my Love.” Tanya kissed Sambuca on the top of the head and placed her on her lap.  “She’s done this before.  It’s like she’s giving Stella and I some space.”

I walked toward them and pawed my mom.  She picked me up and placed me beside her. 

I turned to my big sis.  Do you want me to hide with you next time and keep you company?

Sambuca shrugs.

What’s wrong? I asked Sambuca.  Are you okay? Me don’t understand.

“Girls, before you both came into my life, I had Stella.  And she’s very special to me,” Tanya explained. 

“To all of us.” Auntie Julie chimes in.

“Why don’t I take picture of you gals with Stella?” Amelia suggested.

“Yes!” Tanya and Natasha exclaimed at the same time.

And that was how I met Stella Artois Maier Yentin.

RIP Stella: June 2, 2003 – October 9, 2018.