19 years ago, when I locked eyes with the small Tortoiseshell kitten sitting quietly at the front of a cage at the Humane Society, I knew I had to take her home. We were looking for a playmate for our often overly energetic 2 year old half Siamese cat. Indeed, laid back Abbi was the perfect, Yin to Keely's Yang. They were friends for 17 years. But there was no doubt I was her best friend. No matter where I was in the house or the yard, Abbi would quietly join me. Once I had read the book, The Golden Compass, I joked she was my Daemon. When not on my lap, she enjoyed stalking Grass Bugs, batting around toys and chasing her tail. She especially enjoyed birdwatching- both from under her favorite backyard bush and virtually, through YouTube videos. When she was 12, a spider bite that wouldn't heal eventually turned into fibrosarcoma, which required the amputation of her hind leg. She faced all her challenges with courage and grace. I will forever miss my sweet girl.