In this photo shared by Judith Monarrez, she holds her pet dog Gizmo on July 21, 2024. Monarrez was reunited with Gizmo on July 17, 2024, after the dog went missing in Las Vegas over nine years ago. AP Photo
When Judith Monarrez received an email informing her that her long-lost dog, Gizmo, had been found, she was overwhelmed with emotion. As the news sank in, she collapsed on her kitchen floor, sobbing tears of joy and disbelief.
In 2015, Monarrez was just 28 and living with her parents in Las Vegas when Gizmo, her two-year-old Chihuahua, disappeared. The gate in their backyard had malfunctioned, allowing Gizmo to slip out and vanish. Over the following years, Monarrez's life changed significantly. She moved into her own home, completed a master's degree in English, and began a teaching career. Despite these changes, she never gave up hope of finding her beloved pet.
Then, on July 17, 2024, Monarrez received an unexpected email. The message was from an animal hospital, notifying her that Gizmo had been found. A woman had discovered the now 11-year-old dog and taken him to the vet. There, Gizmo’s microchip was scanned, leading to the email that brought Monarrez to tears.
With a racing heart, Monarrez drove to the animal hospital to be reunited with Gizmo. She described the reunion as "a miracle." Despite the emotional weight of their reunion, Monarrez noted that Gizmo had changed significantly during their time apart. The Chihuahua, who once bounded around with energy, now walked with a limp and displayed a fear of shadows, heights, and birds. His once-bright eyes were infected, and he was missing some teeth.
Monarrez acknowledged that while Gizmo looked different, she recognized him instantly by the way he stared at her when she called his name. The connection was undeniable, and it was clear that Gizmo still remembered her.
Their reunion coincided with a new city ordinance in Las Vegas, set to go into effect on August 1, which mandates that all pet owners microchip their animals. Monarrez expressed gratitude for having Gizmo microchipped, as it was likely the key to his return.
Now that Gizmo is back, Monarrez and her family are focusing on caring for his health. Despite the pain of their separation, they are determined to shower him with love and attention. Monarrez said their goal is to make Gizmo feel as cherished as ever, while also addressing his health issues that arose during their long separation.
