Meet the cat who started it all. Never before had I met a cat who gave me such inspiration to share joy. Gizmo’s shenanigans were shared under the original name of our channel, “Gizmo’s Best Life,” and caught global attention. More than that, though, Gizmo was my light. He was the reason for my smile on some of my darkest days.

He helped my entire family heal from the untimely passing of our kitten, Waffles, whom we had lost earlier that year to wet FIP. Gizmo snuggled with everyone. He’d never met a stranger. I swear, every day when he would wake up, he would ask himself, “How can I make them smile today?” And he would chase the day from there.

I held my breath for the first two years of Gizmo’s life, afraid to let my guard down after losing Waffles so young. After celebrating Gizmo’s second birthday in August 2023, I finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he had passed the age of vulnerability. After that, we had two months of blissful joy before lightning struck a second time.

At the beginning of October that same year, Gizmo was diagnosed with stage four acute kidney failure and those three cursed letters: FIP. We battled death the entire month. We secured the medicine needed for his treatment. I learned to give him subcutaneous fluids at home for his comfort. The Gizmo community raised thousands to help us with his skyrocketing hospital bills. I offered him whatever food he could eat, but it wasn’t enough.

On November 1, 2023, Gizmo passed away at home in my arms with my husband at his side and with Bruce, Floki, and Luna watching from a close distance. I did not handle his loss well those first few months without him. Not at all. However, over the last year, I have collected the wisdom gifted to me while at my lowest. You will find that wisdom along with many gorgeous art tributes and comforting words on this page.