Well it's been a whole year since Wendy and I came to look for ONE SMALL DOG for me to take home. I fell in love with Thelma and Louise at first sight. That love has grown each day since. They are the best girls. If ever there is a time when someone is unsure of adopting a chow mix, just have them give me a call. They are the sweetest dogs.

I'm picking up an anniversary cake for them today (from Three Dogs Bakery here in Pasadena). We will celebrate tomorrow at my Mom's house. I take them there most every Saturday and they get the chance to do some real running in her back yard. They've won the hearts of my Mom and sister also. My Mom is 76 and doesn't really want the responsibility of a dog of her own (she was thinking of one at this time last year, but has changed her mind). So she's just thrilled each weekend when the girls come over. And they love her to death. They are always so excited to see her.

Now for the stats: Thelma is still the mellower of the two. She's still more chow looking and has more of the chow "attitude." She'll do anything I ask her to do. . . . . . if she wants to. She weighed in a few weeks ago at 48 pounds plus some ounces. My neighbor describes her as "soulfull." She's very loving.

Louise is still a ditz. I refer to her as being "blond." I don't know what they are mixed with but whatever it is, Louise got more of that than Thelma did. She just wants to please me. And she always wants attention. You'd think I never pet her or pay any attention to her. She is considerably smaller looking than Thelma, but weighed in at 52 pounds plus ounces. She's far more muscular than Thelma. She is just a sweetheart.

They are both very smart dogs. Both do the usual tricks. We are working now on the combat crawl. They DON'T however obey the "heel" command!!!! They do know what it means, and it's my fault they don't do it. I don't work with them daily on that. I take them for the 2 mile walk most every day, but hate to make them be so "military" when what they want to do is burn off some energy. So it's my fault. Also for about a month (from mid-October) they didn't get walked much because I'd broken my toe. I could barely walk. I wasn't about to try to walk them. My neighbor is great and she took them a few times each week during that time. So at least they did get some walks in, but all the progress they'd made with "heel" was lost during that time. (They love her too and she's just as happy to have them there as I am -- thank God for good neighbors and good dogs).

It's taken a full year, but they are kinda sorta friends with the cat now. Clancy still rules the house. He still doesn't allow them in my bedroom once it's bedtime. They can come in there as long as the lights are on, but when the lights go out, he chases them out of the bedroom. They are all still working it out, but Clancy actually rubs up against them now and pretty soon, with the cooler temps, I expect to find him curled up next to one or the other of them. I'm keeping my camera close by just waiting for the time. And he's liking the fact that he can get in and out of the house now when he wants to. He uses the doggie door. He used to be outside all day when I was at work.

One last note. The people at work all agree that they see a huge difference in my level of happiness since bringing the girls home. As usual I've written a book about them and I'm sure you have other things to be doing. I will be taking pictures tomorrow and will send one to you so you can see that they are alive and well. (like there was any doubt in your mind).

Once again, thank you for taking such good care of them when they were with you. They are the best. -- Patty

From the next email... "Well I finally got the pictures of the girls developed. They weren't very cooperative I must say. But I'll enclose a shot or two. They wouldn't sit nicely so I could take a picture of them with the cake without them attacking the cake! They are such beautiful girls. We get compliments where ever we go. People think I spend hours grooming them. But it's really just a few swipes most every day with the brush. I actually spend more time brushing Clancy than I do the 2 of them combined. And speaking of Clancy I'll enclose a picture of him too just so you can see the girls' new best friend."

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