Did you know Abbi once had a brief stint as a “trucker”? Okay, maybe she didn’t actually drive the truck (she never could quite reach the pedals), but for a while, Abbi was my road trip companion, riding shotgun and keeping me company as we hit the open Texas highways.

Back in those days, I had to do a lot of traveling, and I quickly realized there was no one better to bring along than Abbi. She took her role very seriously. The minute we’d get in the truck, she’d hop right up in the passenger seat, watching the road ahead with this focused, determined look — her “trucker face,” as I called it. With every rest stop, Abbi had her own routine: hopping down, giving the area a good sniff (gotta make sure it’s safe!), and sometimes finding a shady spot to take a quick stretch. Once we’d get back on the road, she’d settle back in, keeping her eyes on the road for as long as her puppy attention span would allow, until she eventually surrendered to the hum of the engine and dozed off.

One of my favorite memories from our trucker days was the way she’d perk up whenever she spotted other dogs or interesting scenery outside the window. She’d press her nose against the glass, her eyes wide, almost as if she was truly taking in the sights.

Abbi may not be hitting the highways as much these days, but every now and then, I catch her watching cars from the window with that same look of curiosity. Those trucker days are behind her now, but I like to think she remembers those adventures as much as I do. Here’s to Abbi, the best co-pilot a person could ask for — whether she’s riding shotgun or napping on the passenger seat, ready for our next adventure.