Gizmo

I remember the day we brought our Gizmo home. We happened to walk into a pet store and saw the cutest litter of kittens playing and pouncing on one another.  Gizmo was the only kitten in the litter with an extra claw, which made his feet look bigger and fluffier than the rest.  My husband and I knew that he was the one. He would be our first baby we’d shared together as a newlywed couple.  When Gizmo came home with us, the first few weeks were a bit overwhelming.  He had so much energy and spent hours running around the room, at times literally across my head.  He stalked and attacked my ankles daily that I began to think he was a possessed cat!  I wanted to return him, but the pet store lady assured me that it would pass, and reminded me it was natural kitty play. He loved car rides and eating watermelon, which was unusual for a cat.  When we’d go to pet stores, he would sit like a baby in the shopping cart enjoying the attention people would give him.  Gizmo was one of a kind and was loyal, patient, and loving right to the very end of his 18 year run.  Having him by my side through good times, bad times, challenging times, scary times, and just quiet times was a blessing.   He was always there, true to the very end.  I am glad that they didn’t let me return him to the pet store!

Letting Gizmo go was one of the most difficult, painful things I ever had to do.  He developed a lump under his tongue, which was not allowing him to eat on his own.  For the last few months, he had to rely on me to feed him and give him water with a spoon.  Eventually the lump grew, making it more difficult for him to eat.  He began to suffer with constipation, and was dehydrated even with us hydrating him through an IV.   It was as though his body was beginning to tire out and not work as it used to.  The thought of having to put him down was painful for my heart and made me sick, but the reality was that his body was in real pain and sick (nothing compared to my heart).  It just was not fair to him and I couldn’t bear to see him not have the quality of life he deserved.  I wanted him to retain his dignity and pride. He deserved that.  I knew that he was no longer happy. So I made the call to Dr. Forslund and she came over the next day to help Gizmo pass.  I am so thankful that we were able to have him pass at home in my husband’s arms, the arms that first picked him up when he was a kitten.  We miss Gizmo so, so much and not a day goes by without us thinking about him.  It has been difficult not having him around the house, and at times I think I still hear him meow.  I know that he is over in Rainbow Bridge, running and playing the way he should.  I know that he looks down at us and remembers what fun we had together.  I know that one day we will meet again.  We love you Gizmo!

Thank you Dr. Forslund for helping us through our terrible loss and helping Gizmo pass peacefully in our home.  I am so happy that you care enough to drive all over the southland to help our loving pets at any time of the day.  You are a true blessing!

Thank you!
Dale and Mirlo Shrudder
La Mirada