Abigail update

​Happy birthday to my entire heart! Abigail.

How she is 7 years old today eludes me. Abbie is connected with me in a way I've not experienced with another dog. She and I speak the same language. From her bedtime sillies to her public access seriousness, she's the perfect dog to me. She's not the most versatile dog in the world because she's just not in it unless it's with me and for me in a big way. She isn't a dog I can throw into anyone's hands. She's MY dog in a deeper sense than any of the others. She only has eyes for me and she's been that way since she was a puppy. I went and picked her up off a cattle farm in California and she squirmed her way over on her belly like a little worm. Her breeder said she was the one he would keep if he were keeping any it became clear why quickly. Despite being raised as a working farm pup often is, outdoors entirely and not socialized or trained a lick until after I got her, she is such a wonderful, adaptable, stable dog.

Abigail isn't my most highly titled dog but she's the dog who has been with me through the very most. Recovering from PTSD, trauma, divorce, homelessness and worse. She's been my rock through some awful times. All the way through our climb to a good life, she's been there and she kept me happy. She inspired me to become a dog trainer. To expand my knowledge about behavior and breeding. To become a better me.

There will never be another dog like her but I am so grateful for the wonderful pups she's given me, pieces of her that I will continue to pass down through generations so I can always have a part of her with me, even after she's gone. But I hope she never goes because I don't know how I'll recover. Please live to 20 at least.