Terminally Ill Veteran Seeks Good Home for Gizmo

Gizmo

A Korean War veteran with possibly only days left to live has one just wish: a new, loving home for his faithful companion, Gizmo.

“We share this story with a sense of both urgency and sadness, with the hope of giving an elderly, dying veteran some peace of mind during his final days,” writes Beth Zimmerman, of Pets for Patriots, on Military.com.

Pets for Patriots is a not-for-profit organization that provides financial support to military personnel adopting shelter pets. Earlier this month the organization was contacted by a social worker at the hospice near San Diego, Calif., where the veteran is a patient.

Little is known about the man besides his devotion to Gizmo, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu who never leaves his side.

According to Pets for Patriots’ The Wet Nose Blog, Gizmo has “an incredibly sweet and gentle temperament. While he now lives harmoniously with a cat, it’s unknown if he likes all cats. He’s not fond of large dogs and has no known history with children.”

Potential adopters are being screened through the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, which writes, “This dog is a very old soul and everyone who meets him falls instantly in love.”

Although some potential adopters have been interviewed, so far none of them have been quite the right fit.

If you are interested in adopting Gizmo, fill out an online application as soon as possible. You may be asked to visit Gizmo and his dog dad in the San Diego area before a decision is made. If you are a servicemember or U.S. military veteran, Pets for Patriots can assist you if you apply online for their program.

Just last month, a community in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, worked together to grant a dying man’s wish to see his dog one last time. Please help the i Love Dogs Rescue Network spread the word about Gizmo and make another pet parent’s final dream come true.

PHOTO: Rancho Coastal Humane Society

Laura Goldman

Laura Goldman is senior social media writer for i Love Dogs, Inc. She does love dogs. And elephants and turtles. Along with writing about the loves of her life, Laura likes to play with her two pound pups and tell anyone who’ll listen just how awesome Pit Bulls are.