One day about in about 1990, my cousin Rachel turned up at my place with a tiny golden Pomeranian cross Corgi puppy. From memory, mum & dad were not that pleased about the situation since they had no notice what so ever! None the less, the cute fluffy puppy soon became part of the family.

I don’t recall who named her, however she got her name “Gizmo” from the 1984 movie Gremlins. When Gizmo was still very tiny, she hadn’t grown quite into her ears yet. As such, when she was on her back – her ears deflopped and sat up nicely, she looked very cute.

As she was growing up, she was the most beautifully natured dog. About the only problem we ever had with her in that regard was that, at times, she could be a little snappy around little kids. She would never really bite, however if they were patting her too hard or doing something to annoy her – she’d give a little snap in their direction and it soon brought the kids back inline. One of my clearest memories of Gizmo happened regularly in the evening when George (read: Dad) would return home from work. As soon as Dad made any noise as he was pulling into the driveway, Gizmo would bolt flat out from one end of the house to the other. She would arrive at her destination with gusto and excitement, tail wagging furiously just begging to get a pat! Unfortunately, as she was growing up her excitement often got the better of her bladder and she would piddle near the door!

Gizmo also loved riding in cars. Our family owns an old Ford Falcon ute which we restored many moons ago. It doesn’t get used for a lot of stuff these days, mostly heading out to the dump and for convenience. Since it was an old ute, it had a very distinctive sound to the engine and exhaust; Gizmo knew it well. As soon as we’d turn it over, she’d be normally be there in a snap hoping she could come for a drive. She’d sit on the parcel shelf, and stick her head out the window in the wind, she loved it. For those uninitiated, the parcel shelf is the small shelf that is at about shoulder height when sitting in a ute and is immediately behind the seats.

In the last few years, Gizmo’s health has been quietly deteriorating. She has been nearly totally deaf for the last two years and as old age set in, her general mobility has decreased too. In the last year, that has since become more of an issue as her arthritis started to really hinder her movement. Getting up and down steps had become difficult and you could see her back hips and legs had become a little weak. Its really sad to see your family pet get old and its a shame that we outlast them I think, but it is just part of the life cycle.

I’d prefer to remember all of the great times she has brought our family and friends over the years. You’ll be missed Gizzy.