The Story of Thelma & Louise

Many years ago, following the death of our miniature schnauzer Fuzzy, my husband showed up at home with a huge grin – and said “come see what’s in my pocket!”

I was holding a baby, answering the phone, and making dinner – and wasn’t in the mood for a game. My response? “Pervert.”

And then a teeny tiny little black snout appeared from the pocket of his overcoat and I began to smile. A second tiny black snout poked out from the other pocket and Don removed both puppies from his pockets and held one in the palm of each hand. Oh, they were tiny! And cute! And mischievous!

Thelma and Louise were miniature schnauzers too, and sweet as could be! They did everything together – they went for walks together, played in the yard together, cuddled together in one dog bed, rode in Jona’s stroller together – well, with Jona, of course!

And for reasons unknown, Louise became “my” dog and Thelma became “Don’s”. That's not something WE did, that's something THEY did! We were clearly their "people", they were not our pets!

We almost lost Thelma after Don’s death. She refused to eat, refused to play, and was just plain sad. But we nursed her back to health by spoonfeeding her yogurt or rice, rocking her like a baby, and coaxing her to play. And Jona became “her boy”.

Oh, boy did she claim Jona! She would sit next to him, climb onto his lap at every opportunity, sleep curled up at his feet, and position herself in front of him defensively whenever company arrived.

We lost Louise last May. She is buried under the pine trees in the back yard - the same pine trees where she used to lie down and watch me when I was gardening.

We didn't think Thelma would make it without Lou. But we gave her lots of extra love and attention so she wouldn't be too lonely and she carried on like a trooper. Although she still wandered under the pine trees occasionally, searching for her sister.

Thel died tonight. I can hardly believe she's gone. My sadness is great.

And now Jona is the one wandering around looking lost.