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www.pbgv.org

Summer 2014   

I Saber Tails

In September 2013, Rescue’s Southeastern Regional 
Coordinator Sandy Bustin received an e-mail from 
another rescue group about a female PBGV that was 
approximately three years old (or possibly younger) in
Alachua County, Fla. Sandy called the Alachua County
Animal Shelter to confirm that information, and was
told that there was a female PBGV named Lily up for
adoption and that she had been there for about a week.
How did Lily end up in this situation? Animal Services
had received a call about a dog that was outdoors 24/7
tied to a tree. Upon investigation, the owners agreed to
relinquish Lily to the shelter. Penny Freshwater, who
lives in Ocala, Fla., went to the shelter to identify her.
Penny adopted her out of the shelter on behalf of 
Rescue and kept her while she was being vetted and 
getting ready to be placed. Lily had already been spayed,
and aside from only weighing19 lbs. and having a 
urinary tract infection, she was in pretty good condition.

From Penny: “Sandy called and asked if I could go to

the Alachua County Animal Shelter (a kill shelter) to see
if a dog there was indeed a PBGV. Within 10 minutes of
that call, I left to drive 45 miles to Gainesville with a
crate, leash and bag of treats in the car. The shelter had
75 dogs at the time; most of them were mixes, and it
was a fear-ridden place. Miss Lily was in kennel 72, and
when I stood outside the fence there was no evidence of
a dog. I called her name, and this poor little scraggly
creature slowly came out of the inside kennel. I knew
the breed instantly and saw the resignation in her eyes. 
I asked the shelter worker if they would work with 
Rescue. She said I needed to talk to some lady who was
on her lunch break, and that it would be faster and eas-
ier if I paid the $35 fee and took her for myself. Done!
All in all, it took 15 minutes and Miss Lily joyfully got
the heck outa there! I had the crate in the back of my
van, but when I opened the driver’s side door, that little
girl jumped in and said, ‘No crate, lady, I want to ride up
here with the food.’

“Lily was so hungry and confused; my heart broke

thinking about how she had been tied up in a yard and
not fed on a regular basis. When she got to our home,
my two PBGVs greeted her as did my dad’s little dog 
and our cats. There was never any hostility. She was a
pleasant, well-mannered girl who fell in love with my
husband, Lee. She slept with him from day one. I took
her to my vet and groomer because the shelter had
hacked her coat something terrible. I don't know 
why anyone could think a dog can't express gratitude
because that week was so full of it you could cut it 
with a knife.”

Michael and Janice Falk and family had put in a 

rescue application a few days before Lily came into 
rescue. Sandy contacted applicants on the waiting list
and determined that Mike and Janice would be the best
home for Lily. Michael remembers: “When we lost our

I  Forever Home: Stories from Rescue 

by Joan Mann  •  JMann17307@aol.com 

Meet Lily...

Lily when she came to rescue

Lily helps her new family celebrate Christmas 2013.