Sharing Abby

Sharing Abby is a delightful memoir, a tribute to an amazing and much-loved dog told with humor and insight. It begins when the author is out walking and first encounters an adorable terrier in a neighbor's yard. The narration weaves between the author's first impressions of the dog, and Abby's point of view. Tension occurs when the author is asked to take care of the dog for a few days while her owners are on vacation. She agrees without first discussing it with her partner, who shares a small house with her. After an initial and difficult adjustment period, Abby settles into her new surroundings. As her "new people" take care of her for longer periods of time, the book describes the many adventures and mishaps they have together. Everything from setting up a routine with her in the house, to giving her medications, as well as a chapter on the trauma of going to the vet. It includes a romp through a pet store, a wild ride out to a pumpkin patch, and other outdoor excursions, but is much more than that. This is a story about a unique dog who has two homes and is shared by two very different couples. Also, it's about a terrier mix who is opinionated, and frequently comments about the human condition, the people around her, and her fellow canines. It focuses not only on our relationship with ourselves, but how we navigate the world and view it through our canine friends. As a bonus, there is an introduction on the concept of dog sharing with guidelines for a successful experience. Although the book concludes with Abby's last visit to the vet, it ends on a positive note with her humorous impressions of crossing over into the afterworld. Above all, this is a story about the power of love to transform and enrich our lives.