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Wet Nose Blog
Home › Dog tales › Veteran’s dying wish fulfilled: a home for Gizmo

Veteran’s dying wish fulfilled: a home for Gizmo

July 1, 2011Dog tales, Hope for a home

 

GizmoBy now you probably know the twists and turns of Gizmo, the little Shih Tzu dog pictured above, left homeless when his only family – an elderly, dying Korean War veteran –  asked us to fulfill his dying wish. In spite of a tremendous and frantic effort to find the dog a new home while his current caretaker was still alive, the veteran died without knowing where his beloved companion would end up.

Many people contacted us and applied to our shelter partner, Rancho Coastal Humane Society, to give Gizmo a new leash on life. Each had their own stories, and reasons why they would be the right choice. But only one person would adopt Gizmo, and his story is worthy of a Hollywood script.

Lyman “Tim” Peterman is a WWII Army veteran living in San Diego with his wife. At nearly 90 years young, Tim maintained his health and good disposition through daily walks with his own dog, who died just two weeks prior to the veteran this story. Lonely and heartbroken, Tim felt lost without a steady canine companion by his side.

Tim and his wife with Gizmo
Tim and his wife with Gizmo!

His daughter saw our story on a local television station and wrote a heart-wrenching plea to consider her father for Gizmo’s adoption. At first, we thought it was one of the many such stories and calls we were receiving from worthy potential adopters, until two important details caught our eye. We called her right away, and encouraged her father to join our charitable program; even if he didn’t adopt this special dog, we could help connect him to another pet in need. After that call, we immediately contacted Nick Winfrey at Rancho Coastal – a Marine veteran who now spends his days bettering the lives of unwanted dogs and cats.

As it happens, Tim’s dog had been a Shih Tzu, the same breed as little Gizmo. And the name of Tim’s dog was… GIZMO!

Would it be possible that one veteran – who died, leaving his Gizmo homeless – could give renewed purpose to another veteran whose own Gizmo had just died? 

On June 30, this unlikely tale became reality. Tim and his wife adopted Gizmo, and Tim already planned to restart his morning walks the very next day. By two years, Tim is now our oldest member Patriot, besting a Marine veteran living in Florida with her honorably adopted dog, Laddie.

But perhaps the most fitting tribute to the power of the pooch came during the adoption festivities, witnessed by a growing crowd of admirers and three San Diego area television stations. Reflecting on the day, Tim said it was the happiest he had since he was in Berlin during his Army days, and the town crier announced that the war was over.

Sandra and Gizmo
Tim’s daughter Sandra, who contacted us about adopting Gizmo
Nick the Marine
Nick “Yes I was a Marine and Now Have Long Hair and Save Homeless Pets” Winfrey from Rancho Coastal Humane Society.
The Peterman Family
The Peterman family, complete thanks to a little dog named Gizmo and the invisible hand of his late owner.

 

 

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One Comment

  1. Hairless Cat says:
    January 4, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Hi P4P,

    Imagine the odds against so many details being the same. Amazing.

    Very glad Gizmo found a great forever home and that Tim got to have a Gizmo 2.

    Good work P4P – there couldn’t possibly be a better match up.

    =^..^= Hairless Cat Girl =^..^=

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Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!! Who's going to win this epic battle? Vote!!
**Application window for Hairy's adoption closes t **Application window for Hairy's adoption closes today May 31!!**

This amazing Dog In Residence at @bobbyhotel is ready to check out of the hotel forever and into a loving home with a veteran living within 40-driving miles of our partners @NashvilleHumane! 

Click the link in our bio to apply. Hurry; Hairy's waiting!

Gratitude to @todayinnashville for sharing Hairy's need. 🥰

#adoptdontshop #nashville #nashvilletn #teamrwb #petsforvets #dogtraining #traineddog #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #nashvillehumaneassociation #petsforpatriots #bobbyhotel
Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being Thank you for your service, Keisha, and for being a hero to a pet in need!

Keisha serves in the Army National Guard and just added two year-old Toby to her pack. Thanks to our partners @bmorehumane Toby's adoption fee was waived, and this big pup's 'welcome home' gift card and year of post-adoption follow up are generously sponsored by a grant we received from @veteransunitedfoundation ...woot!!

#army #armystrong #armynationalguard #nationalguard #femaleveteran #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterdog #adoptashelterpet #hounds #houndsofinstagram #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #petsforvets #baltimore
On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women On Memorial Day we reflect upon the men and women who died while serving in the United States armed forces - and give gratitude and comfort to our Gold Star families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

The holiday is not about the sales, the barbecues, the day off from work. But that our lives as we know them were made possible in large part by brave souls who died in service, please pause from whatever you are doing today to remember that freedom is not free - and while all veterans give some, some have given all.

#memorialday #memorialday2023 #honorthefallen #honorvets #freedom #freedomisntfree #freedomisnotfree #army #navy #marines #airforce #coastguard #goldstarfamilies #ultimatesacrifice #somegaveall
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"She has been such a joy to me. She loves me and I love her. Thank you assisting me with giving her a forever home." ~ Lisa, Army veteran, on her one-year adoption anniversary to Nala.

The now 8 year-old cat was in the care of our partners @phillypaws which waives adoption fees for veterans in our program. Please consider older pets when you adopt; they have so much joy to give!

#adoptaseniorcat #adoptaseniorpet #cats_of_instagram #catsofinstagram #catsofig #rescuecatsofinstagram #rescuecat #armyveteran #femaleveteran #armystrong #philadelphia
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Bowser was adopted in 2012 and is now battling terminal cancer. His mom and dad tell us that his diagnosis doesn't stop Bowser from enjoying life to the fullest, whether that's shopping with brother Chadwick, visiting the beach, or ending the day with a nice puppacino!

#caninecancer #adoptdontshop #seniorpets #seniorpetsofig #seniordogsofinstagram #twoisbetterthanone #shoppingspree #sandiego #dogsonthebeach
Zinger's ship just came in when Sonia, active duty Zinger's ship just came in when Sonia, active duty Navy, saw this precious 2 year-old pupper and said, "Let's sail away."

Another great adoption through our partners @chesapeakehumane - and made possible thanks to a generous grant from our friends at @veteransunitedfoundation ...anchors aweigh! ⚓

#cutedogsofinstagram #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #adoptashelterdog #navyveteran #femaleveteran #navy #navylife #chesapeakeva #muttsrule #muttsofinstagram
There's just something about Hairy! For the past y There's just something about Hairy!
For the past year this handsome hound has been the resident dog ambassador at @bobbyhotel where he's been a guest favorite, greeting all visitors (2- and 4-legged alike). 

Now it's Hairy's time to check out of the hotel and into the home of a U.S. veteran living within a 40-mile driving distance to our partners @nashvillehumane.

Application deadline is Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

What you should know about Hairy:
❤ Loves frolicking in the yard and working on his frisbee-catching skills
❤ Adores car rides - a great travel buddy!
❤ Visits to the beach? Yes, please!
❤ Expert snuggler, couch curler-upper
❤ Active household that loves adventure - a must!
❤ Good with both dogs and cats...furreal!

Veterans living within 40 driving miles of our partners Nashville Humane Association must apply both to the shelter and Pets for Patriots by Monday, May 31. Hurry for Hairy!

Apply to NHA: https://nashvillehumane.org/news/nha-pets/hairy/

Apply to PFP: https://pfp.care/adopt

Stay tuned in the coming weeks to meet Hairy's new humans! P.S. Click the link in our bio to learn more about this exciting 'Hotel to Home' partnership!
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