This is a story about the beginning of an unusual relationship between a dog and his owner, Tony, who had previously lost their ten year old schnauzer suddenly on an operating table. The grieving period lasted several months, and then the journey began. Gail went on the computer and looked for sites that carried homeless dogs. She came across the picture of an eight month old schnauzer that weighed only six pounds, a pathetic looking puppy, which was abused by his owner. She called to Tony to take a look, and wanted to go see this dog. Shrugging his shoulders, Tony agreed to take the ride from Chicago to Indianapolis to see the puppy. The three hour journey took five hours because of a snow storm, but they finally connected with the two nurses that ran the shelter, meeting at a gas station. Tony brought the three hundred dollars, as instructed, in case they wanted the dog. They met the puppy through the car window, and fell in love with her. She was a lovable miniature Schnauzer, and Gail named her Fritzie. At home, Fritzie got acquainted with Rudy, a previously stray cat. Rudy was a lost Russian Blue four-paw declaw, who was given his name because he was brought home on 9-11. They immediately connected in a playful way, most of the time. Tony and Fritzie went for many walks together, and one morning he heard sounds coming from Fritzie. At first Tony didn't know what was happening, but responding to the noises, he noticed that Fritzie's ears were moving like she understood what Tony was thinking. Her sounds then became words, and it took off from there, with storytelling on both their sides. This was the beginning that led to many 'Conversations with Fritzie'.