Breaking up with NCIS is hard for Pauley Perrette to do.

Perrette, who has played goth forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on the CBS drama since 2003, will be leaving to pursue new opportunities toward the end of the current season. And though the exit was her choice, she's still having a hard time.

"It makes me sad to imagine a world without Abby in it," she told CBS Sunday Morning. "It really makes me sad."

Asked if she went through a grieving process, she said, "I'm still grieving. And it's sad. I, like, usually cry in my car every single day when I drive to work. And I usually cry on my way home at some point. And then I take a deep breath, and I go, 'All right,' you know?"

As for what's next, she's not really sure. She says she's being offered a lot of stuff, but for now she's content to sit at home with her dogs, who are her "reason for living." Before anything else -- actor, musician, philanthropist -- Pauley Perrette is a Dog Person.

Pauley Perrette's last episode of NCIS airs Tuesday, May 8 at 8/7c.

(Full disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS.)



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