Gizmo: The Bunny, The Myth, The Legend

There's this pet store in Ames, Iowa called The Ark and it's located smack dab in the middle of Campustown. It's owned by this very sweet, religious old man.

The Ark. It's actually in the basement next to this Asian restaurant no one ever ate at.

Mark and I made a habit of stopping by every week or so on our way home from class to pet the bunnies, which were never in short supply. One day in late October, I was in a down and out mood so Mark took me to the pet store, like he always did. And that's when I saw her. The cutest freaking animal I had ever seen. I picked her up and she stared at me with those little eyes and just sat there. I looked at her, looked at Mark, looked back at her, back at Mark's frowning, disturbed face.

Me: "OH MY FREAKING GOD! I WANT IT."

Mark: "No way in hell."

Pet Store Manager: "The rabbits are $20"

Me: "MARK! $20! I have that in my purse RIGHT NOW!"

Mark: "Put the rabbit back with its friends."

So we left the pet store, empty handed and I pouted the whole way back to my apartment. 

Gizmo as a baby. Seriously, how do you say no?

Later that night as my roommates and I were eating dinner, I told them about the bunny. As I start describing her floppy little ears and her baby soft fur, I see my roommate Amy's face light up like a Christmas tree. And then I threw the cherry on top:

Me: "And...and...AND...the rabbit is only $20. $20! Can you believe it?!"

Amy:  "Get in the car. We're going to the pet store, NOW!"

Me: "But Mark said no."

Amy: "He doesn't have to know."

So Amy and I get in her car, drive to the pet store, and scoop up our new friend. She sat on my lap the whole ride back to the apartment. Now being the irrational, irresponsible college students that we were, we completely forgot to buy a cage. That's okay...she's small, a large storage bin will work. So we let her run around and petted her and held her. My phone rings. It's Mark.

Mark: "Hey hun, what are you doing?" 

Me: "....nothing."

Mark: "Well I'm on my way over if you want to hang out."

Me: "...umm, that's okay...I'm kind of tired. I think I'm going to go to bed."

Mark: "Why don't you want me to come over?"

Amy (whispers): "It'll be fine, he won't care."

Me: "Okay, come on over."

Minutes later, Mark opens the door.

Mark: "WHAT IN THE HELL IS THAT?!"
Sarah: "A bunny."
Mark: "There's no way in hell you can take care of that thing! Pets are a lot of work! I'm so mad at you!"
Amy: "I don't understand why you care, it's not like you have to take care of it."
Mark: "YES. I. WILL!"

She grew on him.

And I hate to say it, Mark was one hundred percent correct. He took care of her. A lot. Like when she later got discovered by my landlord and I had to rectify "the problem" in twenty-four hours. Like when we got married and he spent an hour with her each morning.

Unfortunately, today we had to say goodbye to Gizmo, and in the worst kind of way. We had to surrender her because the military does not recognize her as a pet and will not fly her to Japan with us.

Gizmo ended being the coolest pet I've ever had. She was always friendly and would snuggle with us on the couch. We trained her to walk on her hind legs for treats. We gave her a thug voice and would talk for her.

She was always so helpful...like helping carve our pumpkins.

She had a large appetite for just about anything.

"Whatchu talking about?"

We tried to train her to walk on a leash. She wasn't a willing participant.

She was very protective of me. Especially when Mark was around.

Gizmo was the best pet I've ever had and I hope that whoever adopts her realizes how amazing she is. The best $20 I ever spent. We love you Gizmo, and we miss you already.