Gizmo

September 29, 2004 - April 15, 2025

Gizmo (aka Giz, Gizmy, Gizmer Gazmer, Gizzy, Kitten, Baby, Boo Boo)

Twenty years just does not seem long enough to have been blessed with your companionship but I had to let you go as your body started to show its age and I did not want you to be in pain or to suffer.

I was in my 20s when I adopted you as a three month old kitten from the Humane Society. You were there with your brother and I was not ready for two kittens but I could not split you up so I left empty handed. I went back a few days later since I really wanted a kitten and there you were all alone and there was no doubt who I was taking home and I have never regretted my choice. I wanted a cat with personality and that’s exactly what I got. From the moment I brought you home I was wrapped around your little paw.

We have navigated many life events, the good and bad, and the highs and the lows. You have always been there for cuddles, support, and trashy TV watching although some days even you could not handle the reality TV shenanigans. As you aged you thinned out, found your voice, and were much less of a cuddler and when you were it was on your own terms. I appreciate you humouring me in your final days as I got in my last snuggles, listened to you purr, felt your heart beating, and you nuzzled in close to me. I like to think that these last cuddles brought you comfort and that you were ready to go after an amazing 20.5 years of life.

You spent time outside in the backyard and I will never forget the look on your face when I would call your name and you would look back at me and proceed to saunter out of the yard. I am not sure if you really thought you could make it out on the streets after being a house cat most of your life. Walking in the grass was not always your favourite so you stuck to the sidewalks and patio most of the time but you loved the fresh air and sunshine.

You loved boxes because they made good beds and you were always drawn to chewing on thick plastic bags and the plastic on flats of pop cans and I would discover them full of teeth marks.

I affectionately called you coach Gizmo as you often supervised my at home workouts and were excited for exercises where I was on the floor so you could come investigate and give kisses. You liked to walk under me while I planked. I would be remiss if I did not also mention that you seemed to time using your litter box during my workout and I never understood how something so foul could come from such a cute little creature.

You were my furry work from home colleague who demanded attention during video calls and managed to convince me with your yelling that you required a meal at lunch and sometimes an afternoon snack. I am sure when I had to go back to the office a few days a week you missed my company even just a little bit.

You loved to curl up and be completely relaxed on beds and chairs and sometimes even the middle of a room with people so you did not miss any action. You liked to be warm and cozy and you burrowed into duvets and blankets. I would come home to a lump in my bed when you slept under the blankets when I kept the house too cold for your liking. The best sound in the world was the big exhale/sigh you would let out when you were extremely relaxed that sounded like you were deflating.

I know your face was not always seen as the friendliest and some might say you had an RBF. You would do an Elvis lip snarl when you were unimpressed. Despite your facial expressions you were a softie at heart and loved to visit with people (except the vet). You loved a good chin rub, a scratch behind the ears, and snuggling so close with your face pressed against mine.

You had a very playful side even well into your old age and you loved playing with various cat toys on string that you swatted at and pounced on. At 15 years old you re-discovered jumping in the bathtub and playing with the water drops after not being interested since you were a kitten which was cute to watch since it had been there your whole life (luckily nothing happened when you got wet like in the Gremlins movie). You hated closed doors and would reach your paw under and rattle it so I knew you were on the other side and I assume to ensure I would not forget about you (which would be impossible to do).

You loved to spend time at Grandma and Grandpa’s, especially chillaxin in the sunroom in the sun and fresh air, sleeping on the rocking chair, and making the bed with Grandpa. They never heard your demanding meows for food like at home with me. You were known to hide under the bed just out of reach to avoid going home when I came to pick you up and I tried not to take it personally and that you just loved all the extra attention.

Your favourite spot over the last few years was your cat bed which was just outside my office and bedroom and I always kept my eye on you and saw all your relaxed and cute sleeping position. I know I will keep looking for you there for the next little while and it will make my heart hurt to not see you there.

Your signature look was to have food or litter on your nose and it always made me laugh to see you like that.

These are but a small collection of my memories of you as we had so many together. It was hard to pick my favourite pictures as there are many to choose from and most involve you sleeping in some cute curled up and relaxed position. I know you were not a fan of the paparazzi (aka mom and her camera) and even when you appeared to be in a deep sleep you would wake up and ruin the cutest shot and by the look on your face I imagined you were putting up your paw and saying “no pictures.”

I hope you know that you were deeply loved and cared for by not only me, but my friends and family. I am grateful for their support during this difficult time and for coming to see you to say their goodbyes. The decision to let you go was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I will be forever grateful that we could say goodbye at home and that I got to hold you and be your comfort as you passed away so peacefully. Many thanks to Dr. Liz for listening to my Gizmo stories and being so kind and compassionate during such a difficult process.

My heart is completely shattered and the house will feel unbelievably empty and quiet without you. I was so lucky to be your cat mom. Thank you for making me smile, laugh, and bringing me joy on a daily basis. I love you so much my baby Giz.