@azure,
I too have the same situation, although my pooch wasn't abandoned, she was not overly loved or looked after and most days just left to roam around the grounds of the block of units she lived in. I too now just adore her. She also follows me everywhere, especially when she knows I am going out without her. To try to help her feel more secure I take her to every dog friendly situation I can ie; visiting friends etc. doggy daycare once a week, and sometimes when I get up of the couch and she is asleep at my feet and goes to get up to follow me, I tell her to "stay", which she is starting to do, this shows her I am going to come back after short intervals to build her confidence in me. Another thing you could do, is put an old t shirt in your bed to get your scent on it, keep it there until you are ready to change your sheets each time, and when you leave home without him, make sure he has it on his bed, so you are still close if you are not there. If I am going out on a Sat nite, I drop her off at other freinds houses with there dog, she doesn't always overly play with the other dog, but she still has company around her, It's great for your friends dogs/kids too....I truly believe aswell, the fact that I get anxious when I have to leave her, she picks up on....so once I have calmed myself haha, I don't pay a huge amount of attention to her, so it's not a big deal that I'm going out. One more thing, is I have a secure yard, (putting a doggy door in process), but she stays outside during the day, has a little dog kennel, which I put in my tshirt her blanket and her two fave toys...and she loves going in there and feels very snug....( got it from Crazy Clarks for $55, it's awesome),I also try to leave her with something to entertain her ie; a juicy uncooked bone or her kong toy stuffed with frozen treats, this way she is focused on that and not me going out the door. i'm a long way off her being a 100% well adjusted dog, but patience. love, discipline and excercise will pay off in the end, that's just the way it is....Hope these tips help :-)