Gizmo was a happy-go-lucky Shepherd mix with floppy ears, white paws, a patch of tan under his chin, and two tan dots centered over each eye. A friendly 18-month-old, he was first adopted from us when he was just a pup. In his family’s care, he grew to be a lovely dog, walking his children to elementary school each day. And on the return trip to retrieve the children, he’d prance as he neared the school, wagging his tail excitedly.
Unfortunately, when he was a few months old, he was diagnosed with a congenital condition that was beyond his family’s means to deal with, and Gizmo was returned to the rescue. But every cloud has a silver lining, and lucky Gizmo was scooped up by a volunteer who researched his condition and found a solution. Two more angels stepped in and welcomed him into their family as a foster and continued to treat his condition. With meds and the right care, Gizmo’s health returned to normal. Now all he needed was a savvy family who could cope with his needs and, most importantly, love him forever.
His foster family described him as a delightful dog who would make a wonderful addition to any family. He was super affectionate. He’d nudge people with his nose or sit next to them in a chair, looking longingly into their eyes as he waited patiently for a petting or scratching session. I asked him how he would describe himself, and his response was “I am happy-go-lucky, and I like tinkling noises and cold on my nose. And I am one in a million. And I am a curious bird.” It was all true. Born a curious guy, Gizmo would watch everything that moved. He’d follow his people everywhere to make certain he didn’t miss anything exciting, and he’d examine anything that moved—bugs, toys, people, birds, squirrels…anything.
Gizmo had some basic training, was well behaved, and loved kids and dogs, so we looked for an active home to satisfy his curious nature. I later learned that we also needed to find a house with an icemaker. Why? Gizmo loved ice cubes! He’d trot to the refrigerator, stare expectantly at the icemaker, and pace in place, eagerly waiting to be given one. That was what he meant by tinkling noises; it was the sound that the icemaker made when the cubes dropped from the chute and clinked one on top of another in a glass.
Although Gizmo had many angels in his life, when the time was right, he met some very special ones. Friends of his foster family cared for the family’s dogs when they were away and began to form a bond with Gizmo. Over time, those friends fell in love. Now he finally has the home he has been waiting for and Gizmo’s grand adventure can begin.
How does Gizmo spend his time these days? He spends every moment with his new family. Our little guy is now a companion dog who accompanies his new dad everywhere he goes. He is also making lots of new dog friends he meets during adventures with his new family. And in his spare time, he monitors the icemaker. He’s even learned to push the lever so he can dispense his own ice any time he wants.
