Gizmo, You will always be loved and remembered

[Judy in Waco]

To all of my YT friends,

First, I haven't been on this site in awhile, and I'm sorry about that. I have some sad news. Our precious yorkie, Gizmo, passed away in mid-August. I should have let you know sooner, but it's just been too painful. I haven't dealt with his passing very well. Mostly because I blame myself. It could and should have been prevented. He died of complications of diabetes that weren't recognized soon enough. He had developed severe complications including pancreatitis before we realized what was going on.

The main reason I am posting now is to warn others who might miss the most obvious signs we didn't pick up on. Mid-August in Texas is hot to say the least and Gizmo had a thick, cottony coat. We noticed that he was drinking excessive amounts of water, but thought that he was just too hot. We gave him a short haircut and thought that was all we needed to do. When he started throwing up his food, we rushed him to the vet and did everything possible to help him heal. We had to keep him off of food to cure the pancreatitis and during the day he stayed at the vet and was kept on an IV. At night we took him home and watched him carefully. (The vet didn't have anyone in the office at night.) This went on until the diabetes was discovered. We then began insulin treatment, but couldn't get his sugar stabilized enough while treating the pancreatitis. The combination was too much for his little body. He was a fighter though and we fought with him for over a week. Vet by day and home at night. I would sleep on the floor beside his pallet and try to coax him to eat and give him his insulin injections. We finally tearfully discussed the situation with our wonderful vet and he sadly told us that there wasn't much time left for him and that he was obviously in pain. We decided that it was time to let him know it was okay to go. As we held him and told him how much we loved him, the vet gave him a tiny injection (much smaller than the insulin injections I had been giving him) and he peacefully passed in my arms.

Please learn from my mistakes and keep your yorkie at a healthy weight. Gizmo was overweight. You should also always pay attention when your pet is drinking an excessive amount of water.

Our other yorkie, Kandi, is doing fine. She is a healthy weight and well-loved by us all, but this was very hard on her as well. You can tell that she misses him as do we all. She continued to search for him for quite a while after he passed.

Please keep Gizmo in your prayers. We loved him so very much.

[DBlain]

I am very sorry to hear this, I know it is easy to do but don't beat yourself up, all those signs are easy to miss given the circumstances and there are lots of porky yorkies that do not have issues. But you are right it is a reminder not to let our pets get to overweight.

You made a very unselfish decision to let Gizmo pass in peace wrapped in the comfort of your arms. Thank you for sharing this with us (((((((hugs))))))) Donna

[chattiesmom]

Judy, I am so very sorry to hear of your tragic loss of Gizmo. I know how much he was loved and how much joy he brought into your life.

Thank you for sharing your grief with your YT family. I guarantee that in time the huge gaping hole left by Gizmo's passing will begin to heal - but it will take time. Hugs to you and your family.

[Verbena]

Judy. I am so sorry for you loss. You did right by him. he loves you always. Gizmo will be waiting for you over the rainbow bridge. Rest in peace Gizmo. hugs to you

[Lisa and Pic]

I am so sorry for your loss of Gizmo. Sending cyber hugs and deep sympathy.

[rubynrosie]

RIP little Gizmo....I can tell from your post that he was a very well loved boy!

[sandy simpson]

Oh Judy, little Gizmo is not suffering with that awful diabetes anymore. You did the right thing. Don't look back and think you could have done something else. I really believe that when it is time to go home we humans go and so do the sweet animals. There is a day designed for our birth and a day chosen for our death. No matter what we do, when that day comes that is the day. Your little dog is up there with my Teddy Peanut. I still cry over that precious Yorkie. 10 yr old and died of a stomach obstruction. Why? I don't know but I do know I took great care of him just like you did your Gizmo. We must let them go home to their Creator and know they are happy. It still hurts and I feel it for you too. It is better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all. I believe that. Gizmo brought you so much love and you are blessed for that.

[TxVicki]

Judy I am so sorry for your loss of your precious Gizmo. I know how very hard this is on you. Just know I'm sending hug's and prayers out to you.

[Lou]

Judy, I'm so sorry to hear about Gizmo. It is so hard to watch them go downhill and ultimately lose them Thank you for sharing your story and possible helping one of us in the future.

[horsnaround]

So sorry for your loss

[MandiesMom]

My deepest sympathies for the loss of your beloved Gizmo. You seem to be carrying a lot of guilt that is not yours to hold. Gizmo would not want you to do that. When several things are happening at one time, it is very easy to not know exactly what it is. Gizmo knows how much you loved him..you showed him that by doing the selfless thing and letting him go out of his pain. The pain you feel will always be there but it will lessen as time passes. Let the love and yorkie kisses from Kandi help to heal you.

RIP sweet Gizmo. You will all be together again someday.

[jadabug]

Judy, I am so sorry about your loss of sweet Gizmo. I know how much you loved him. Thank you for sharing your story so that we can all learn the signs to watch for. We sure have missed seeing you here.

[yorkietalkjilly]

It must have hurt so much to relive and share that painful story but I'm so glad that you did if it helps another Yorkie like little Gizmo. Someone reading your post may now or in the future begin to see similar symptoms in their dog and get treatment sooner because of it, so your bravery in telling us all could save at least one life, maybe far more. I know your life without him will never be the same and you will always love and miss him. Thankfully, you have your Kandi to hold onto and see you through this sad time and beyond. Hopefully soon, the bad pain of missing Gizmo will subside some and later all you will be left with are lovely memories and images of all of the fun and good times with him. R.I.P., Gizmo.

[Patti]

I am sorry to hear about Gizmo. He knew you loved him. Hugs

[kjc]

Oh Judy, I'm so very sorry for the loss of your sweet Gizmo. My heart is breaking for you. Thank you for sharing his story with us. God Bless you. RIP Gizmo.