My mom’s name was Stella. She died in 1996, and I still miss her a lot. I’ve always loved the name Stella, and have hinted to all my sons that it would be nice if they named a girl after my mom — but based on the family track record, I’m not counting on too many daughters. So I decided I’d name my next dog Stella, which would be both an honor for my mother and a pretty funny irony: She was deathly afraid of dogs, which is why my sister and I never had one growing up. Trouble is, though, I’m not very likely to get a female dog. Sorry, Mom.
My mother had seven brothers and sisters. My favorites were my Uncle Sam (really) and my Aunt Fay. Uncle Sam took me to Yankees games (the Mets hadn’t been invented yet) and introduced me to Hank Bauer and Gil McDougald and Don Larsen. Every Sunday in the fall he watched the football Giants on a tiny, scratchy black-and-white TV in his bedroom. My grandma, who spoke only Yiddish, would say Sam is watching “yod-lines.” Aunt Fay didn’t introduce me to any Yankees, but she gave me anything I ever asked for.
I mention all this because earlier this week I was sitting outside Jack’s in Amagansett — for a change — and I met an adorable 5-pound, 6-month-old black Havapoo. Its name? Stella! And the name of its human (those are her flip-flopped feet in the photo), a very nice girl with a musical Scottish accent: Fay! Fay and Stella!
Later that very same day, on the beach, another tiny dog came my way, looking to be scratched and petted. (I didn’t take a photo, but I understand she’ll be back later this week, so I’ll try to get one.) This one was a Havanese — Belle. My mom’s and my Aunt Fay’s very best friend’s name? Belle.
So that’s pretty much it for this story. Expect a lot of this kind of filler for the next few months as I await the arrival of my Toller. 🙂
LOOK FOR A NEW BEAGLE MAN POST EVERY THURSDAY. OR PRETTY CLOSE TO THURSDAY. COULD BE WEDNESDAY. OR FRIDAY. LET’S NOT GET TOO OBSESSIVE HERE . . . 
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Hank! Did you ever think this is a message from Aunt Stella to get a Havanese or some blend there of???
Ha! Cant wait to meet the new Herman family member!
No apologies necessary, Hank….that is a very good filler. Although, I must admit we have been relying on Rickey and Roof Rack Reports for the really good stuff since his passing. BTW, we have three kids, all girls…now we have three grandchildren, all boys….so you may get a two-legged Stella before you know think.