In memoriam ; Gizmo
Young Gizmo!
Twenty years ago I walked into the door of my friend Jacqueline’s house and was greeted by two little kittens. One entirely black one and one little grey furrball…. I was a little shocked as there weren’t supposed to be any kittens left, except the black one since they would keep one. Jacqueline’s cat Poekie had kittens ten weeks earlier and I had told Jacq I would not visit until all kittens were gone. I had a weak spot for kittens and I just knew that if there were any left I would take one home and with three cats already in our household I had figured that would be enough.
Her favorite passtime was diving in and trying to steal the food!
But the little grey cutie was brought back by the guy who had picked her up as she was running across his white leather couch. I mean; seriously??? Apparently there are people out there who expect a cat to sit still and behave. Good thing he brought her back! She curled up on my lap as soon as I sat on the couch and well, I just melted. I told Jacq there and then I would take her home but I had to convince Tom first that we really needed to rescue this little kitten, soon to be known as Gizmo.
True love
It took a little convincing I can tell you but that same night Gizmo found a new home in our household and we never regretted it for a minute.
She was named Gizmo after the gremlins, cute with really big ears and she was a real character. She had a morning temper and when we got up too early for her taste, she would be grumpy. She was also incredibly playful right up till the last minute. We had this little fun play things where she would jump into the (empty!) bath tub and would duck low so hiding from view. We would then hide on the other side of the tub and run our finger across the edge of the tub and she would try and hit us with her paws while we would try to avoid that happening. She would hit and dive low again. Running around in the tub and having fun.
Trying to steal a bit of chicken…
O well, I could give you countless other examples of her funny character. She was pretty dominant too. She was the boss and would not tolerate any other cats to get the top position. Which worked fine as our other three cats were pretty soft characters with the notable exception of Lapje, the oldest lady, who was not always amused with Gizmo. Witje, the youngest before Gizmo, adopted her more or less as soon as she entered our house and they were always very sweet together.
Gizmo and Witje
About 5 years ago Gizmo was diagnosed with a thyroid disease which meant she had to have medication every day and she became very skinny, but still a happy cat.
The last couple of days she stopped being happy. She stopped eating and with her skinny frame that was just too much. When weighed yesterday at the vet, she was only 1,8 kgs. Going from a fairly large cat who must have been 5 kgs at some point in her life that was shocking. Having her stay with us would have probably meant organ failure and probably a stroke at the end… The only cat worthy exit would be to put her to sleep and so – with pain in our hearts – we said our goodbyes.
After being with us for a little more then 20 years we will miss her funny sweet face more then I can say. It’s the end of an era and for the first time in 30 years we’re now cat-less people.
And that’s fine for now. We will see what the future will bring!
Appetizer
Asian
Bread
Breakfast
Desserts & other sweets
Healthy
Dear Simone – how I will miss the Daily Gizmo updates and those early morning snaps of her unimpressed, furry face. It must have been an incredibly hard decision to make but you are right – it was the bravest and kindest thing to do for an old friend. I remember each of our two childhood cats being put to sleep, both in kidney failure, and I still remember how wrenching it was. I hope Gizmo is free of pain now, and that she has an unlimited supply of cupcakes to lick and salads to dip her paw into (and no annoying early mornings!). Sending you much love and hugs xx
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:13
Thanks so much Jeanne. yes I definitely think she is now in cupcake heaven… Missing her a lot though..
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Oh. My heart is truly breaking for you darling.
What a long time she was part of your life. You were so lucky to have her this long … and as hard as it was, you did the right thing and gave her a peaceful and painless end to a fabulous life.
Huge hugs to you and Tom xx
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:14
Thanks Mona. Yes it was a hard decision but I do think it was the only right decision to make… I still expect to see her everytime I walk in the door or turn around… It’s so quiet here now!
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Dear Simone,
also much love and hugs from me!!! I guess Gizmo had a very beautiful life with you! As you know, it is just about 2 weeks ago that my boyfriends 18-years old Lakki cat was being put to sleep. And now the little sweetheart had her place in our hearts and I am sure that Gizmo will have definitely a very welcome and comfortable place in your heart! xox
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:15
Thanks Eva. Yes I guess you know all too recently how it feels to lose a beloved pet. I’m sure they’re now in cat-heaven together!
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So sad to read this. I have some idea of how you’re feeling….
But take consolation that she had a long and good life and is happy wherever she is now. And she’s left you 20 years of memories so she lives on….
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:17
And I do think she must have been the most photographed cat too… On my phone alone I think I have more then 400 pics of her sweet face!
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I’m so sorry for your loss Simone. Sending you lots and lots of hugs.
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:17
Thanks so much Jenn!
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Like Jeanne I will miss her sweet little grumpy face show up n your daily updates. Funnily enough as I never met her in person I fell in love with her the very moment you showed me the first pic of her when we met in Weimar and now my heart is broken with you. I always dread these moments of goodbye – realizing that my boys are geezers already too.
*hugs*
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:19
We all know that it’s coming but that never makes it any easier unfortunately. Thanks Astrid for all your sweet comments!
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A beautiful tribute to a wonderful and unique cat. Gizmo was such a cutie (I love her big ears and Fennec fox looks). I am ever so sad for you…. At least, she lived an long and happy life with you.
You took the right decision. Maruschka, suffered many strokes and that was hell for us (we never saw them coming). We felt so helpless and distressed. A terrible experience…
All my condolences.
Hugs,
Rosa
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:20
I know.. Hate those strokes as that is also how Witje and Joepie died previously. So sad… but you cannot usually see them coming. Thanks Rosa!
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so sorry to hear… we were talking about her a few weeks ago… I know how you can feel, a huge hug xx
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:20
Thanks Giulia. Isn’t it weird how that works?
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So sad Simone, making that decision to say goodbye to a pet is the hardest in the world but be comforted by the fact Gizmo had such a happy and long life and it was ended before it became unhappy for her. Such a lovely post though, brought a smile to my face even through the sad tears. Big hug xOx
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:20
Thanks so much Anna!
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Oh, I’m so sorry. Losing a loved cat is the hardest…reading this brought instantly back memories and tears to my face… Hugs!
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:21
Thanks Corinna. It is a very hard thing indeed!
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Dear Simone,
what a beautiful tribute to your beloved cat:Gizmo! 20 years spending with a beloved cat is awesome. She surely will be dearly missed!
Lovely & cool pics of your lovely cat too!
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:21
Thanks Sophie!
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So sad you had to say goodbye to Gizmo. Take care!
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She was a beautiful cat indeed. I love that photo of her trying to pick something from the bowl. A very very nice post in memoriam of Gizmo.
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My deepest condolences.
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Simone, I’m so incredibly sorry. I know exactly how you feel since I had dogs and cats growing up. I know how terrible it feels to lose them. Gizmo was a beautiful cat and had such a happy life with you.
xoxo
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Sad for you, it is so hard to lose a pet. She lived a long life, and what a cute kitty, and you made the right decision, you freed her from suffering.
HUGS!
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I told you already but I’m so sorry to hear you lost sweet Gizmo… it’s a bad time for cats it seems… Whey do they have to leave us some day, why can’t they just stay. I lost a little kitten once, she was left my her mum who put her with the eggs in the chicken coop. We nurtured the little baby for 3 weeks, got up twice at night to feed him, took hime to the office to feed hem every 3 hours and keep him warm…and then he died. He was only with us for a short time, but it did feel like loosing my little baby.
I have two cats now, so you know, one 8 and one 10 years old. I don’t know what I’ll do when they leave us… and with Gizmo being with you for 20 years… he was you baby, your toddler, your teenager and finally a little old lady giving you so much love…
Take care Simone, she had a good life thanks to you two xxx
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:23
Thanks Regula. I can only imagine how it must be to lose a little kitten. I’ve thought about that sometimes as we were lucky that all our cats have lived a very long and happy life. It still hurts a lot when we have to let them go but at least there is the comfort that they lived long and lived well. Losing a kitten so young is just incredibly unfair and would be much harder to process I think. I’m hoping your cats will live a long and happy life too!
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Oh, Simone, I am so sorry and I have tears in my eyes. Don’t we all feel like we know Gizmo so well… he is THE blog cat. Your photos of gizmo have always made us all smile and wait for the next one. I can’t believe you have been lucky enough to have Gizmo for 20 years! Lucky you! I will hug Marty today for you, Tom and Gizmo. xoxo
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:24
She was a little bit famous wasn’t she? Have you seen her look arrogant from time to time? I just know she knew how popular she was..
Thanks so much dear Jamie!
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Oh no… so sorry to hear Simone.
I actually have tears in my eyes as I write these words. Gizmo was by far my favorite “virtual” cat and I sure will miss seeing her making little appearances in your posts.
Saying goodbye to an animal is never easy. We get so attached to them, they become a member of the family. I do think that you made the right decision though and let her go to her final resting place in all her feline dignity.
My heart sincerely goes out to you… I truly feel your pain. So, so sorry for your loss…
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Simone (junglefrog) — November 7th, 2012 at 10:24
Thanks so much Sonia! I love how a lot of people have ‘known’ her and are missing her in a way… I’m sure she’ll be smiling down on all of us!
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So sorry for your loss:-(
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Good girl Gizmo! I am so sorry for your loss. But she had 20 wonderful years with you, and a lot of love.
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Oh Simone I’m so sorry! What gorgous photos. She will forever be in your hearts.
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First Maruschka and now Gizmo. My heart breaks for you both. 20 years is a long time to love a member of your family. Our pets see the worst of us and still love unconditionally. Sending comforting hugs your way.
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Simone, I am so truly sorry for having lost your beloved Gizmo. I know what you must feel, I still miss all my 3 dogs after more than 10 years and nothing can replace them. Can I give you a hug?
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Lovely photos … really brought back memories … so sorry for your loss.
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So very sorry for the loss of your beloved cat and at the same time believe you did the right thing. There is no harder decision to make but you put the needs of your beloved pet before your own. Twenty years is a long time…it’s evident that all of you benefited from that ‘return’ those many years ago.
Take good care.
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What a beautifully written eulogy. My heart is heavy for you. I cannot imagine loosing a pet after 20 years. It would be absolutely heartbreaking… Pets are such little fluffy balls of unconditional love – and we call ours our family therapy ball! Gizmo definitely added so much joy and love to your life with the inquisitive and adorable personality I have come to know through your posts and these photos. My heart is with you. Can you feel my big warm tight hug? I am working to buoy your spirit through the miles and my hug.
XOXO
Valerie
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I am so sorry to hear about Gizmo! Simon, my husband is a huge cat lover and wanted to grab Gizmo from the screen (if possible!)
Such a beautiful tribute and such a beautiful love story!
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Such a bad news, I know how you are feeling because I’m also a cat lover and I passed a couple of months by those sad moments. As they become part of the family they will always be with you.
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My heart goes out to you and your husband. Last month, we had to make the same decision -to put our beloved Oscar down, after 18 years of enjoying his serene company. I have a feeling that another cat will find it’s way into your home and heart.
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I am sorry to hear this. We have a cat in our family for 17 years, so I now how you feel. Lovely photos!
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So sorry for you – as a cat lover, I know how much fun they are. But what a great tribute to Gizmo! Such heartfelt writing, and the pictures are so much fun. I love the picture at the end of the post of Gizmo under a blanket.
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Have lost so many furry friends in my lifetime and more than understand the ‘hole left’: the photos noone can take from you are so beautiful and evocative. Only you will know the exact moment when a new memeber shall enter your household . . . I still know the exact moment a favourite dachsy ran under a speeding car . . . but a few weeks later, buying some tubifex worms for our outrageously hungry tropical fish, I walked past a litter of Pembroke Corgis: one of them cocked his ear, slowly walked up to the edge of the cage, raised his paw . . .and I was all his until the time came to part . . .
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So sorry for the loss of your beloved cat! She was clearly well-loved by your family.
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So sorry for your loss Simone…sending warm thoughts your way…
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New reader, over from Pinterest… sending a big internet hug. Gizmo was lucky to have you and I know you feel a big hole in your life right now. We lost our little cocker in Feb. and I still tear up saying his name. Time will heal our broken hearts, but the memories should be shared over and over. Loved this post…
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What a beautiful way to celebrate such a beautiful life!!! I am so sorry for your lose. I lost my best friend last year, he was 18 years old. I think about him everyday, and celebrate what a great life he had. We were truly blessed to have our precious cats for such a long time. Know you are in my thoughts, sending big hugs your way, Terra
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Ahhh, wat een prachtige tributepost voor Gizmo!
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So sorry Simone
Will miss your updates on Gizmo and look at that little paw in the bowl. 20 years is a long time and a big part of your life. I cannot even imagine how hard that must be for you to be without Gizmo. She seems to be foodie like you are! xo
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Your post brought tears to my eyes. I’m so sorry for your loss.
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Simone, I’m so sorry for your loss, cutie Gizmo will be truly missed…
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So sorry about your darling baby. I’ve never lost a child but many furry children and I can’t imagine worse.
My heart goes out to you.
Take care,
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Oh, Simone..I am so, so sorry to hear of Gizmo’s passing. I loved reading about how you told your friend you wouldn’t come over unless the kittens, except the one she was keeping, were all gone. SO SWEET and funny – Gizmo was your soul cat..it was meant to happen, and f course you couldn’t help yourself…what a sweetie pie! I’ve lost a cat…a dog, three guinea pigs..and it never gets any easier
Gizmo was so lucky to have you and your hubby as Mommy and Daddy during her 20 years. I wish I could give you a hug, my haert is breaking for you. I know you can’t fathom it now..but a new kitten does help. It helped me when my BF at the time presented me with an adopted kitten a few days after losing Mickey in 2004. *huggs*
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Oh dear friend… I am so sad about your loss
(( Sending you lotta hugs and warmness!
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I’m so sorry for your loss
Losing a pet is so heartbreaking but knowing we gave them the best life we could is a good thought. She was a beauty!!
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Such a wonderful account of Gismo who was much loved! I love the photography with Gismo,s paw in the salad bowl… it is so sad when you loose a pet!
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