The Three of Us

My mom Tanya always says the following, “We are not supposed to have favorites but I am so blessed because I have 2 x schnauzers and you are both my favorites!”  

This follows by her kissing Sambuca’s head and then mine. 

Now I know that Tanya has lots of favorite things.  Like her favorite pencil, a treasured writing device called a Mont Blanc.  I once destroyed a regular mechanical pencil and got in deep do do.  Check out that story here. My momma also has her favorite baseball caps that she wears, fav wines like Apothic Red which I am named after and she has a fav stuffy, Mousie.  Mousie and I even met formally, read how that happened here. 

My fav stuffy is Sheepy but my Auntie Natasha and Auntie Julie refer to it as Lamy.  Now here’s the background story: years ago my momma and Auntie Natasha were a couple and they had a miniature schnauzer named Stella.  She was all black just like me.  I met Stella in Montreal, Quebec a while ago and she gave all her dog toys to Sambuca and I.  I was like, thanks girl! But Tanya started crying and gave some extra loving to Stella. 

I didn’t understand at the time, but when my mom shared with us that Stella had passed away and gone to heaven, I got it.  She must have known her time was limited on earth.   

Sambuca and I can play with any passed on stuffy from Stella however there is no ripping them up and taking out the stuffing.  Which honestly is too bad since I quite enjoy that game.  Finding the squeaker and running away from Tanya is also fun but never lasts long. And what follows is me getting into trouble.  Sometimes even a little tap on my bum.  When that happens, it is super serious.  It is not a hard tap, just one that states that my mom is the boss. Always. 

On one particular day Tanya was out and it was just Sambuca and I. I had at least three solid naps so I knew it had been a while. I waited. I waited some more.  I jumped off the couch and found my Sheepy in one of our wicker toy baskets.   

Hello there buddy. It’s been a while since I played with you. Hmmmm, what’s this?  A little piece of thread sticking out. I pull on it.  I chopped at it but it is very thin. I take a firmer grip of my toy with both paws. I find another thread. 

What are you doing down there? Sambuca asks from the sectional. 

I look up. Nothing.  

I see you. My big sister states. 

I see you too. Ha ha. 

I continue to pull and because I am an engineer at heart – success!! I have one of Sheepy’s legs in my mouth. 

OMG Appy!! Sambuca is now standing up and jumps down onto the carpet. What did you do to your fav stuffy? 

I spit said body part out. 

All of a sudden we hear Tanya’s car in the driveway.  Our ears are up and we are on high alert. 

Sambuca takes Sheepy’s leg in her mouth and leaves the living room. 

We both hear the key in the lock and the door opens.  “I’m home!!!!” Tanya declares. 

My big sis and I do the usual super excited to see you dance: we bark, we cry, we jump on her legs. We cry so more.  Tanya bends down and gives us lots of pats, “Hello my girls.  What did you do? Who did you see?” 

It’s her classic questions to us. 

I answer. I napped. I jumped off the couch and went to get a drink of water. Then I napped some more. 

Tanya enters the living room. “OMG! What happened here?” There is a short pause. “Apppppyyyyyyy!  

I do a slow-mo towards her. “Come here now!” She commands. “Where is Sheepy’s leg?” 

I stare down at the carpet. Sambuca comes to sit beside me. I don’t know, momma. Honest. 

She puts the toy down and proceeds to open my mouth and looks inside. “You didn’t eat it did you?  Because if you did, we need to go see Dr. Jane.” 

Dr. Jane? THE DOCTOR JANE, like the vet? No. Nope. No thank you, mom.  I promise. I swear on Sheepy’s head, me did not eat any stuffing or body part. 

Sambuca starts to paw Tanya’s arm.  “What my love?  You are a such a good girl. You know not to destroy any stuffed animals. You are the best one! But your little sister is a bad one.” 

She nods, follow me. Tanya and I are right behind Sambuca and we end up in her the home office. And behold in the dog bed is Sheepy’s leg.  

“Good girl Sambuca! Thanks so much for finding it!” There is a huge sigh of relief that comes from Tanya. 

“No need to see Dr. Jane, Appy.” Tanya chuckles. “Don’t ever eat any body part of a stuffy little one.” 

I nod my head. I also wink at Sambuca. She had my back and I know she always will. That’s the key role of having a big sister.  

Tanya puts Sheepy’s leg on her desk and the three of us proceed to go back into the living room. I know that my mom does not sew, not even a button back on a blouse or a hole in a sock.  

I guess it will be one-legged Sheepy from now on and I’m good with that.