Karen and Gerard & Abby

Who is in the photo at right?

Karen and Gerard with Abby our shepherd/Norwegian Elkhound mix, 9 years old (a canine good citizen who visits her many friends in nursing homes once a week). My husband and I both work and are active in our church. We like animals and sports.

What's the occasion for Coffee with a Canine?

This question is a problem since we don't drink coffee or stop by cafes. Whenever we are eating though, Abby lays nearby keeping an eye on us.

Any treats for you or Abby on this occasion?

Abby likes bacon flavored treats best, but also the milk bones and busy treats. She enjoys a good bone too but after she had a cracked tooth, we stopped giving her those.

How did Abby get her name? Any nicknames?

Nicknames are Abs for short, and Abby Dabby Doo.

How were you and Abby united?

We found her on Petfinder but she was listed as Gabby. We had a week trial period with her. If she didn't get along with our two cats, she couldn't stay. We knew after just one day that we were keeping her and she never bothered the cats at all. We didn't like the name Gabby too much so dropped the G and renamed her Abby.

Who are Abby's best pet-pals?

Our two cats, Spunky Doodle and Manny Boy. She does noses with both of them.

Where is Abby's favorite outdoor destination?

She loves the park where she can go in the woods, up and down hills, visit with the kids on the playground there and watch the little league ballgames, cheering along with the fans and getting lots of petting among the crowd.

Squeaky toy, ball, stick...?

She doesn't care about toys, but prefers food!--treats of all kinds.

Cat, postman, squirrel...?

She likes chasing squirrels, rabbits and rolling in the grass on her long walks. She also visits all her friends at the vets every day where they give her treats.

What is Abby's best quality?

Besides being extremely friendly to all, she has great determination! She decides which way she wants to walk and won't budge until we give in unless we have treats along to bribe her. When she was attacked by two Rottweilers off leash on an evening walk a couple years ago, she made a full recovery from 15 bites all over her body, an inch hole in her abdomen, and a 3-hour long surgery!

If Abby could change one thing about you, what would it be?

She would love it if we could be home with her more and didn't have to work. (We would like that change too!)

If Hollywood made a movie about your life in which Abby could speak, which actor should do her voice?

Shailene Woodley, the actress who plays Tris in Divergent.

If Abby could answer only one question in English, what would you ask her?

Is there anything else you would like to have or that we could do to make you even happier?

Visit Karen and Gerard's blogs--Grab A Book From Our Stack, Right Where We Belong, My Funny Dad, Harry--You Tube channel, and Twitter perch.

--Marshal Zeringue