42 Saber Tails Spring 2017
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America
I
n 2014, Susie Heinhold contacted Sandy Bustin, the
PBGVCA’s Rescue Southeastern regional director, to
inquire about the possibility of rescuing a PBGV. Sandy
explained that not too many PBGVs come into rescue,
but that she would keep Susie in mind if one became
available in the future. Susie remembers: “At the time, we
were very content with the two wonderful dogs we had,
and I knew the chance of adopting a PBGV through res-
cue was not very likely. So, I put my hopes of a PBGV on
the back burner.”
S
usie was already very familiar with the Basset Hound
breed, and her curiosity about the PBGV grew over
time, and she eventually met one in person. The family
had moved into a new neighborhood and met Madison,
a middle-aged PBGV with personality plus. At the same
time, her daughter met Max, a PBGV who makes regular
visits to her middle school in Mount Pleasant. Susie did
some research, and realized there were not many breed-
ers near Charleston, and knew from talking with Sandy
that the likelihood of ever finding one that needed to be
Forever Home
Stories From Rescue
Written by Joan Mann
rehomed was very slim.”
S
usie said, “The story of how we came to adopt Coco began
a year and a half ago, but the desire to own a PBGV be-
gan long before that. Before I even knew what a Petit Basset
Griffon Vendeen was, I was the proud owner of many Basset
Hounds. When my husband and I married in 1999, it was
a two for one deal;” I joined him with my beloved and or-
nery Basset Hound, Hanna. Two daughters and a few years
later, we became a regular foster family to many homeless
hounds through Carolina Basset Hound Rescue (CBHR).
Hanna did not mind the various shapes and sizes of all the
low riders to stay with us. We eventually “foster-failed” and
adopted Clementine, who was a senior hound with a heart
of gold. We grew so fond of the Basset personality, but af-
ter Hanna and Clementine passed away, we somehow talked
ourselves into the newly popular non-shedding breeds. We
are currently the proud owners of a senior Golden Doodle
named Henry and a Cockapoo, Cooper. Henry is trained as
a Pet Therapy dog, and makes regular visits to a downtown
Charleston hospital. Cooper had a rough start in life, but
has blossomed into the
most loyal pet anyone
could ask for. Despite the
fact that Henry and Coo-
per do not shed, and are
well behaved and loved
by everyone, I could not
help feel that something
was missing. I realized
that they were so obedi-
ent and willing to please
that there was no “Bas-
setude!” There was also
no snoring, garbage eat-
ing, or clown-like antics!
Although I love Henry
and Cooper, I knew in my
heart that I would return
to owning Basset Hounds,
Coco
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