There’s a certain look only a dog can give you.

Abbi has perfected it.

She doesn’t bark. She doesn’t growl. She doesn’t need to make a sound at all. She just sits there, looks at us, and somehow communicates complete disappointment in every decision we’ve ever made.

And the worst part is we usually have no idea what we did.

Maybe dinner was three minutes late. Maybe Dad told her to move. Maybe Stella is doing something stupid and Abbi holds us responsible for allowing her to exist. Maybe Julius is screaming in the background and she’s wondering why we willingly brought that creature into the house.

Whatever it is, Abbi is not impressed.

German Shepherds already have a naturally serious look, but Abbi takes it to another level. Sometimes I’ll look over and she’s just staring at me like she knows something about me that I’d rather not discuss.

“Can I help you?”

Nothing.

Just judgment.

I start mentally reviewing my day trying to figure out what I’ve done wrong. Meanwhile, she continues staring like a disappointed parent who has decided she’s not mad, she’s just disappointed.

Eventually she’ll look away, and apparently my performance review is over.

Did I pass?

Unclear.

Will I change my behavior?

Probably not.

Will Abbi be there tomorrow to judge me again?

Absolutely.

It’s her house.

We just live here