Spring 2017  Saber Tails 7    

Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Club of America

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a loud arrrrugh. I don’t think the golfers appreciated his 

enthusiasm. The night before he was supposed to arrive 

in Austin the couple decided they couldn’t give him up. 

Sheila was looking for a home for Milagro and called me 

to see if I knew anyone who might be interested. I had 

been so disappointed at not getting Murphy, I wasn't sure 

I was ready to go through that again. As Sheila tells the 

story, after she called me to see if I knew anyone, she got 

a brainstorm and called me (I had not returned her phone 

call) to see if I wanted her, a 16 week old puppy. I did, and 

about 10 days later, a bundle of love arrived in Austin.  Two 

(2) years later, circumstances changed and Sheila called 

me wondering if I would still be interested in Murphy. I 

was and he came to live with us.

 

I 

don’t remember a time I haven’t had a pet. My family had 

a Beagle named Julie when I was growing up and later 

on a Cocker Spaniel, Missy. I have had cats, turtles, fish, 

gerbils and several dogs over my lifetime. Prior to Milagro 

I had a Chow. After Bandit died I went a few years with-

out a dog. I really missed not having one in my life. When 

I started looking for a new dog I wanted a breed that is 

happy go lucky, friendly, loved kids/people, would enjoy 

walks in the park, and be a great companion. The PBGV 

has all those traits and more.  

 

W

hen Milagro was a puppy I took her to the recreation 

center where I worked and she would play with all 

the kids. She loved all the attention. We regularly en-

joyed long walks around Ladybird Lake on the hike and 

bike trail (Milagro would get in the water and roll in duck 

dung) and participating in 5K walks. They both loved rides 

in the car to visit family and friends.  One of my favorite 

times was taking M & M to Galveston, Texas. Mom and I 

would get up early and take M & M to the beach. It was 

so much fun watching them chase sea gulls. The best part 

was when the gulls would circle around and fly out to-

ward the ocean, the dogs would chase them right into the 

ocean until the water got to deep and then they would 

turn and come back to me.

 

I 

just joined the PBGV Club of America this past year. Last 

December, Carol Quaranta organized PBGV Play Pals of 

Texas.  I saw a notice she had posted on Facebook and 

signed up to take Murphy. I don’t think he really minds 

being an only dog household but I wanted him to have an 

opportunity to be around other peebs. I loved the oppor-

tunity to meet other owners, Murphy tolerates the other 

dogs but we both have made a lot of new friends. We look 

forward to our monthly gatherings. Carol encouraged all 

of us who were not members to join the club.

 

S

ince that time I have attended the Houston World Se-

ries of Dog Shows with Carol and met several breed-

ers and enjoyed watching the dogs perform in the ring. 

The flyball is amazing!! Just this past January I attended 

the first PBGVCA Hunt Test in Texas. I didn’t take Murphy 

but encouraged my sister to join me and bring her PGBV 

Zach. It was a great time watching the dogs hunt, helping 

Marshal the hunt and meeting more owners and breed-

ers. I shared with several in attendance about Murphy and 

my concerns that getting a new puppy would drive Mur-

phy crazy, they decided that Murphy and I need a female 

puppy.  Let’s just say, I’m thinking about it.

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