Abigail is an 11-year-old Chihuahua mix. She was rescued through Pooches on the Move based in Tennessee in 2013. The runt of her litter, they named her Tippy because her tiny, wobbly legs failed to keep her steady. We regret that we did not also adopt her brother, Topper, who looked like her twin.
Now grown, she is a delightful, energetic, puppy-like, force of nature. Her nicknames run the gamut, from "The Hua" to "Chi-Zilla." She thugs her way through the day. Her superpowers include wearing down her hoomans for treats. She is spoiled and gets her way 99.99 percent of the time.
Abigail's vocabulary is very advanced. She knows the typical sit, paw, stay, high five, fetch, and come... as well as carrot, apple, banana, blueberry, mango, papaya, melon, watermelon, honeydew, peach, squash, cucumber, zucchini, strawberry, kibble, rice, bread, cracker, chew chew, and so on — seriously! She expects a taste of whatever we’re having for supper. We're good at not giving her "people" food.
She barks at TV dogs. She barks at anyone who comes near our front door. She herds family and friends into controlled, seated positions when they visit. Anyone who gets up is immediately chastised.
The vet. She hates going to the vet. Whether she's getting a vaccination or her nails clipped, she wails like an opera diva on her death bed. It freaks out all the other hoomans and animals in the waiting room.
Abigail is fearless. She might lift her head from a nap when she hears thunder or fireworks just to lay it back down. She braves icy rain, sleet, snowstorms, and three-foot snow banks like a trooper. She doesn't back down even from larger dogs who might see her as a snack.
Don't get us wrong. She is usually well-behaved. She is great with dogs her size and smaller. She respects her sister cat. She naps all day while we work from home. She sits with us on the front porch surveying the neighborhood. She basks in the afternoon sun on our deck on warm days.
Although, she doesn't care for car rides, she tolerates a weekly hour and a half drive to and from the city. She dislikes brushing her teeth but she lets us do it knowing there's a crunchy carrot stick at the end of the ordeal. She doesn't like to wear anything, but once harnessed, she struts-not-walk along the sidewalk with her tail perfectly curled and upright.
She adores her Mimi and Grandpa. Abby is beside herself in anticipation when we tell her they are on their way for our bi-weekly lunches.
She enjoys rubs and scratches. She is ticklish if you know the spot. She readily takes her monthly Interceptor pill with peanut butter. She cuddles with us in bed. She easily sleeps and dreams of chasing squirrels, rabbits, and chipmunks — her hind legs swivel and kick — perhaps she dreams of herding sheep.
Abigail is our baby girl, joy, and love. She is our heart. We can't imagine life without her.