Abracadabra, but we called her Abbo for short. A black chow. Very typical of her breed, she was not agressive, but fiercely loyal and protective of me. I was her guy and she always let me know it. She loved to chase squirrels and butterflys and bark at the mailman. Most of all she loved to eat. We would grill hamburgers and I always got a chuckle of the way she would respond when I would roll out the grill.
Whenever I was home, she was always by my side, following me around or laying in the shade watching me if I was outside working, my constant companion. The last couple of years have been kind of tough on her, arthritis beginning to take it's toll, and last fall, an eye infection forced the vet to remove her left eye. Through it all she maintained her dignity.
This morning I woke up and went into the kitchen to wake her up and give her meds, the same ones that for years she always took so willingly, with no coaxing or prodding, maybe a little cheese for flavor. Abbo wasn't in her usual spot and I found her on the back steps. At first I tried CPR, but I knew she was already gone.
Nothing really outstanding or special, she was just my dog and I miss her so terribly. My heart is broken and my spirit is crushed. I've never felt so devastated in my entire life. They ask so little, but give so much in return for the small reward of just being able to sit at our feet. I know that I'll survive and that I'll have another dog, but I just needed to tell someone about my friend, Abbo. I love you, girl, and am so grateful to God for your life and to be chosen as the one to take care of you in our short time together. I'll never forget you.