Gizmo is a 4-year-old Dachshund mix in Kansas City, MO, who needs $1,132 for foreign body removal surgery.

A friend used to work for a vet and a lady brought a littler of puppies in looking to give them up, she sent me a photo and my heart melted. Something just spoke to me, I needed to go see the puppies immediately. The lady had too many animals and wasnt able to care for them and wasnt sure what she was going to do about the puppies, as I sat on the floor he and I had an instant bond he came right out of the basket and over to me and had no interest in going back with his litter. I knew he was mine. I was able to find homes for the remainder of the puppies too but this little guy belonged in our family. We had another name picked out for this sweet baby puppy but the first time he wanted us and we and we werent quick enough he made the most adorable sound that sounded like gizmo on gremlins so that became his name and still my favorite sound he makes to this day.

I have systemic lupus and this amazing animal never leaves my side on bad days when getting out of bed is just to painful, when we have had crushing blows to our family as far as the loss of loved ones, our home being broken into or just daily stress that comes along he reads our emotions and will put himself under our hand so we can pet him to lift our mood or kiss away tears and sometimes sleep in your arms till he knows you are ok.

I am a full time photographer and work from home when I am not shooting so he and I are together almost all day most days and he sleeps attached to my hip at night. If I have to leave home to shoot an out of town wedding or attend a conference I cant wait to get back home and hold my fur baby. Even my sons cats love cuddling him. Everyone loves Gizmo. I joke that my clients dont come to see me they come to see Gizmo lol. He will never fail to bring a smile to everyones face but most importantly mine.