The Three of Us

One morning after our standard walk around our lovely Woodlawn neighborhood, I hurt one of my nails on my right/left paw.  I was limping home.

My mom, Tanya stopped and looked back at Sambuca, my big sister and I. She asked, “What’s wrong Little App?”

Me don’t know, mamma.

She takes a few steps forward watching both of us.  Tanya bends down and tries to inspect my paws.  “Did you hurt yourself?”

I nod my head.

“Okay, I’ll Uber you home.” Tanya picks me up in one arm and starts walking.  Sambuca follows and looks up at me.

Uber home for us schnauzers means that we get a break from walking and our awesome mom carries us back to the apartment.  It’s a very different view from street.

You okay kid? Sambuca asks me. My paw hurts.

We are not far from home and once inside and after a treat, Tanya does a more thorough inspection.  “Oh oh. Your nail and paw are a little bloody.”

I try to lick my paw and get a firm, “No, Appy.”

Sambuca jumps on the sectional and sniffs my damaged paw.  What did you do?

I don’t remember.

Tanya is back with a wet power towel and has her readers now.  You know it is serious when she wears her Dollarama specs to see more closely.

She gently taps my paw with the towel. I pull back. Ouch. Ouch.

“Sorry Appy, I got to clean off some of the dirt from the street.” She explains.

I go to lick my paw and get another no.  I give Tanya my sad look.

“Hmmmm, I know that may be comforting to you my little love but let’s see if this boo boo heals on your own or if I need to take you to see Dr. Jane.”

Boo boo? Dr. Jane.  No thank you, momma. Firm N-O for Dr. Jane. I jump off the couch and go to a nearby dog bed.  I start to lick my boo boo.

“Appy no.” I hear.  Tanya checks her watch. “The dollar store is open, I’m going to see if I can find something for you to wear App so you don’t do that.”

I nod my head.  And while you are at, can you go to the Golden arches and get me some chicken mcnuggets please? My sore paw needs a treat.

Sambuca laughs.  Good one kiddo.

Our mom turns on the radio and leaves us.  I always know she is going out without us when music gets turned out. 

Both my big sis and I curl up on the sectional and have a nap.

I’m in a deep sleep when I hear Sambuca jump off.  I open one eye.

She’s home! She’s home! Sambuca shouts.

I jump off onto the carpet and OUCH. My back paw hurts.  I limp to the door to join Sambuca.

We do our usual barking, shrieking and jumping onto her legs for a greeting.

Tanya bends down, “Hello my girls! What did you do? Who did you see while I was gone?”

Sambuca states, I sept. I nod my head.

We follow Tanya into the bedroom. “Oh Appy! You’re limping. Can you jump up?”

I try but miss.  I cannot push off my back paw.

“Okay, little one. I gotcha.” And I get scooped up. “Look what I got from the dollar store for you!”

Is it food?  Can I eat it?

“No, App, not a treat or something you can eat.” Tanya says.  How is she always able to know what I am thinking?

“Look how cute! Baby socks!” she exclaims.

Sambuca is on the bed watching and laughing.  This is going to be good.

I turn to her, what do you mean? You know what baby socks are?

Yes, it’s like what Tanya wears on her feet, socks but for babies.

We watch as Tanya takes said socks out of some packaging.

“Stay still Appy. This has to go your back leg.” She explains.

Tanya makes a first attempt to put said sock on me. I pull away, no thanks.  She makes a second attempt, and I go for her hand.

“Hey missy! Don’t you dare bite me.  I’m trying to help you!” Her tone is raised.

My ears go back, sorry mom.

Third attempt. It’s on.

“I did it!”

She is so proud of herself, “Third time was the charm.  How does that feel?”

I don’t know. Weird. Awkward.  Get this baby sock off o me.

“Okay well let’s see how long you can keep that on Appy.” Tanya picks me up and puts me on the carpet.

All three of us go into the living room.  I hop on three legs. 

Tanya goes into the kitchen and returns with a snack for all of us.

“Oh no, App, what did you do?” Tanya sounds horrified.

What? What?

I look up at her with all the cuteness and innocence I can find. Me no likey like baby sock.

And that was the first and last time I had to have one on my paw.

Later that day, I stretched out on Tanya’s legs and napped.  Baby sock pooped me out.  Eventually, my boo boo did heal on its own and no visits to Dr. Jane were required.