Lizzy, the toy lizard, has a story that starts with a real dog named Zuri. CTV News
On any given day, four-year-old Amelia can be spotted walking around her neighbourhood with a lizard attached to a leash. But this lizard, as Amelia will quickly tell you with a smile, isn’t a real one. "She’s a toy lizard," Amelia says, proudly displaying the rubbery, green body of her beloved toy, which she has named Lizzy.
The story of Lizzy the lizard actually begins with a very real dog named Zuri. Zuri was a cherished member of Amelia’s family, particularly close to Amelia’s mother, having been her companion since she was a puppy. When Amelia’s parents learned they were expecting, they were excited to introduce Zuri to their baby. In anticipation, they even took a photo of Zuri posing with Amelia’s ultrasound picture.
“I met real Zuri when I was in my mommy’s tummy,” Amelia recalls with a smile.
Sadly, Zuri passed away just two months before Amelia was born. It was heartbreaking for the family, especially because they had looked forward to the bond that would have formed between Zuri and Amelia. To keep Zuri’s memory alive, Amelia’s father, Kyler Nurmsoo, found a stuffed chocolate lab that resembled Zuri. Amelia’s mother brought the stuffed animal to the hospital when Amelia was born, so in a way, Zuri could still be part of that special moment.
As Amelia grew older, she became attached to the stuffed Zuri. Whenever Kyler took their remaining dog, Balou, for a walk, Amelia would insist on taking stuffed Zuri along too. It was a sweet, symbolic gesture that resonated deeply with the entire family, especially Amelia’s mother.
However, as much as Amelia loved the stuffed dog, she saw it as her parents’ pet, not her own. So, when Kyler and his wife stumbled upon a rubber lizard on a leash at a store one day, they immediately thought it would be the perfect companion for Amelia. They were right. From that day on, Amelia and Lizzy the lizard became inseparable, going on daily walks together.
“It makes me feel happy,” Amelia says of her daily adventures with Lizzy. “And it makes Lizzy feel happy.”
But these walks aren’t just about exercise. For Amelia, they are filled with imagination and fun. Lizzy isn’t just a toy; she’s a playmate and a source of endless creativity. Whether she’s zooming down the sidewalk on a leaf-turned-skateboard or bravely leaping off rocks with Amelia cheering her on, Lizzy is always up for an adventure. And in Amelia’s vivid imagination, Lizzy even helps with her chores. “(Lizzy) brushes my teeth for me,” Amelia giggles. “I would get her to clean up my room. Everything!"
Despite her love for Lizzy, Amelia hasn’t forgotten about stuffed Zuri. She still enjoys taking Zuri for walks, keeping alive a tradition that honours the memory of the real Zuri. This simple act reflects the enduring legacy of love that Zuri left behind, a legacy that has been passed down from dog to child to toy lizard, touching the hearts of everyone who sees them.
“It makes people feel really, happy, happy, happy!” Amelia beams.
