For the second year in a row, a Vernon dog has been featured in a widely popular calendar that raises funds for pets in need. 

A picturesque fall photo of Abby, an Australian Cattle Dog, is featured for the month of October in the 2025 Companions for Change calendar, which went on sale Monday, Nov. 4, at Bosley's by Pet Valu stores across B.C.

Abby was selected out of more than 43,000 entries to star in the calendar. A public vote determined the winners and nearly 5.5 million votes were cast during the 15-day voting period. 

Abby is joined in the calendar by 13 other other photos of Canadian pets, including dogs, cats, a hamster and a lobster. 

People can pick up a calendar by donation, and 100 per cent of donations go to Pet Valu's Companions for Change initiatives, with more than $31 million generated to support animal rescues and charities across Canada since 2010.

Val Dunn, Abby's owner, told The Morning Star she was "shocked, surprised, very excited and very happy" to learn Abby had received enough votes to be featured in the calendar. 

"She has brought so much love to our family, she's a little personal therapy dog. She's just everything to us," Dunn said. "I don't know what I'd do without her." 

Dunn took the winning photo of Abby among fallen leaves on the Grey Canal Trail. She said it's her "absolute favourite" photo of Abby and one of five she submitted for the contest. She even had a friend create a painting of the photo for her.

"My husband always says she looks like a little deer with the spots," Dunn said of Abby's unique coat. 

Dunn said while Abby is a little shy of other bigger dogs, she's never met a person she doesn't love, and especially loves delivery people who come to the door.

Dunn's family are animal lovers, and they often donate toys or cash to animal causes. She said she's glad sales of the calendars will support animals in need.

"Any charity to help out pets is wonderful I think."

Abby's popularity is evident, and not just because she won the calendar contest. Dunn set up an for Abby in June, and the account already has 784 followers. 

Last year, a  was voted into the pages of the 2024 Companions for Change calendar.