Gertie was one of around 100 dogs rescued from a commercial breeding operation located near Palmdale, California. This adorable, bulgy-eyed Shih Tzu moved into Best Friend’s home for geriatric small dogs (otherwise known as the laundry room) and fit right in.

Gertie liked people and other dogs right away and it wasn’t long before she won the hearts of some Best Friends’ volunteers who added Gertie to their family of small dogs.

Gertie now spends her days traveling around the country in an RV, a much better life than living in a cage.