We adopted Abby on February 8, 2006 from the Austin Humane Society. They had her listed as "Brit", but her coloring and pattern reminded us of Pauley Perrette's goth lab technician on N.C.I.S.

Abby was a mature five months old when we got her. She loved to explore, but seemed even happier just cuddling and rubbing faces with us. Initially she was cautious about the other animals, but Willow was her first friend and the rest soon followed.

Once Abby was comfortable around him Ash taught her to play "tug" with ropes and various toys. He always let her win, which meant we got to watch our 35kg (75lb) dog get pulled around the room by our 1.5kg (3lb) kitten.

As an young adult, Abby acted more like a kitten than she did when younger. She alternated between serious cuddle sessions and running around like crazy. When she warbled her hunting cry everyone else in the house, humans, dogs, and cats alike, hunkered down. She would pounce on anyone and anything that crossed her path.

Ash had always looked after Bob. When he was no longer able to do that Abby took over for him. She spent most of her time within arms' reach, guarding him in the shower, and sleeping curled up next to him at night. Since Bob worked from home, Abby was able to keep him company at work too. He built a platform for her next to his work chair. Abby liked to put her head or front paws on his shoulder from there. All of his co-workers and clients got to know her from video conferences.

We told people that her coloring, black on top and white on the bottom, was the result of having an Orca ancestor somewhere far back in her line. That fit in with her personaliy. Bob liked to tell people that she identified as a large dog. She always lived life on her own terms.

She had another interesting marking. There was a white lighting bolt above her left eye. Just like Harry Potter.

Abby spent a third of her life with kidney disease. Lasting six years with it was remarkable, but consistent with her strong will. Abby finally passed away on March 9th of 2023, attended by her humans, who will never stop loving her.