Gilbert’s Legacy Lives On
When Shelly Hughes & Greg Columbus were looking to adopt a dog, they had their sights on Gibbs, a sweet, lovable 4-year-old shepherd mix at Rescue Village. They were sad and disappointed that someone had adopted Gibbs before they could decide. Hoping to find another dog they could fall in love with, the couple kept an eye on Rescue Village’s website. Weeks later, Gibbs was returned, and they rushed to Rescue Village to adopt him right away.
Shelly didn’t care for the name Gibbs, so they decided to call him Gilbert. Gilbert quickly became the couple’s four-footed “goofball” child – going with them wherever they went, always stealing the best seat in the house, loving other dogs and anyone that would give him attention.
Soon, the couple opened a bar, and because of their love for Gilbert, they named the establishment Gilbert’s Tavern. Nestled on Mayfield Road in Lyndhurst, Gilbert’s Tavern quickly became a paw-friendly place. Everyone loved having Gilbert there – he was the perfect office assistant to bring a smile to every visitor’s face. Eventually the couple began allowing service dogs and emotional support dogs into the bar.
In 2023, Gilbert passed away at the age of 13. Gilbert brought so much joy and comfort to Shelly and Greg that they wanted his legacy to live on, so they created a wall in the tavern called Gilbert’s Pack, filled with pictures of all the “dog regulars” at Gilbert’s Tavern. While this has become a community spot, they wanted to do more to show their love of rescues. Always looking for an excuse to have a party, the couple started a fundraiser for Rescue Village on Derby Day at Gilbert’s Tavern in 2021.
“We put a lot of love and time into planning it every year,” said Shelly. “We realized that the fundraiser and Gilbert’s Pack wall was a chance to create more awareness for rescue dogs and hopefully facilitate more adoptions.” With gambling, gaming, food, spirits and a raffle, the Derby Day party raised over $3,000 in 2024, for a total of $11,000 raised on Derby Day since 2021!
Every once in a while, a dog enters your life and changes everything. For Shelly and Greg, Gilbert meant the world to them, and they have made it their mission to honor Gilbert’s love and legacy. Along the way, they became true rescue champions – advocating and raising critical funds for homeless dogs in need. Rescue Village is grateful and proud of Gilbert’s work as an ambassador dog and his ongoing advocacy for shelter animals in need.