Gizmo recently took off his Patch blogging cap and put on his therapy dog vest to lend support, even in a small way, to people in Sandy Hook, CT.
As we were standing in front of one of the shops near the fire station, a shop owner quietly came out, smiled at me, gave Gizmo a kiss and a pat on the head, and then hung a note on her shop window. I think it’s an important message, right from the heart. I asked her if I could share it with all of you, and she asked me if I please would. So here it is:
“We’re all busy. We all have schedules and agendas jam-packed with various things to do. Our days, weeks, months and years are filled with appointments, classes, paperwork, phone calls, deadlines and parties.
Sometimes we find ourselves so busy that we forget to say goodbye to our loved ones before we leave for work in the morning. Sometimes we forget to take a few minutes out of our day to send a friend a birthday text, or give some affection to our dog.
However, whenever we are directly confronted with a tragedy of this magnitude so close to home, it makes us stop dead in our tracks. We automatically call our friends and family, reach out, give a hug and kiss, and tell someone we love them.
Why must a crisis have to occur to remind us what is truly important in life? Why do we have to be shaken up, jerked alert to realize what really matters? I’m sure that all the parents, siblings, relatives and friends wish they had said the words “I love you” just one more time to the sweet child they lost today.
If there’s anything we can learn from the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary, it’s that we ALL need to slow down, simplify our lives, and take the time to appreciate our loved ones each and every moment. Life is short; fragile. If we don’t do it now, we may never get another chance.” --A Sandy Hook Store Owner
Let’s be kind to each other. Love one another. You never know when a small gesture might make a huge difference in someone’s life.
Signed, Gizmo’s handler
Note: This blog has been revised out of respect to readers who are not familiar with Gizmo and what he does. We are all grieving during this unspeakably difficult time. Let us continue to send love and prayers for the people of Sandy Hook and for each other.
Keep allowing this and perhaps their can be a boycott of all things Patch related. Wonder how many "hits" you'll get then......
I have read all the comments on this blog and none mention any concerns related to Gizmo's Frens Inc. Until this morning the only two comments on this post were from a woman thanking Jen for her peaceful spirit (please see above). I believe you are referencing comments made on a separate blog and that comment section was shut down one week ago. I have personally reached out to Jen through e-mail asking that she contact me with any questions or concerns. She has yet to respond. The invitation remains open. Best, Megan Bard Regional Editor megan.bard@patch.com
I read ALL the comments before they were deleted and YES they were directed towards Gizmo.Funny though I mention boycotting the patch an comments start getting deleted. I would like to see a formal apology to Gizmo and Jen,Otherwise I may consider arranging the boycott.There are plenty of blogs out there who would love to have the following that Gizmo brings. Good day, Megan.
On Patch, people are encouraged to post comments, questions and opinions, even if those thoughts are not acceptable to the majority of readers in a particular forum. People are also encouraged to post an answer, a counter-question or a counter-opinion, even if those responses are not popular. What is strongly discouraged is the abuse of the comment system. In this case, the abuse I'm referring to is the flagging of comments that do not violate terms of use, but which are contrary to popular opinion on an issue. Unfortunately, this is happening too often on posts related to this topic. If it continues, I will begin suspending the accounts of those who are inappropriately flagging comments. If you have any questions or concerns about this you are welcome to contact me directly at megan.bard@patch.com. Best, Megan
Feel free to provide to me via email or post here. I have not seen any full name or email address where this organization can be contacted so I am posting it here, If asked, you are legally required to provide the documents so that they can be read in full. Please stop making this into more than it is. It is a request for information about a charity that if this organization is a charity, you are legally required to provide the information. As a person in a pet related business, I check on charities before I or others I work/volunteer with actually give or participate. So please stop getting al upset and feeling attacked. A simple request was made that turned this into mud slinging and tears. Unnecessary. If you are a non-profit - expect to be asked to provide documentation.
By the way, Irene, Karen is a certified dog trainer and her buisiness is on the up and up.
Your blog said Gizmo's Frens was a non profit - and it turns out that maybe it is not - yet. Are you really going to quit blogging because you hated my questioning? No need to quit blogging over a simple question. No need for all the silly comments, outright lies, false business reviews and name calling from some of your supporters. I never did that – I asked a simple question on a public forum because I could not find another way to reach you. You and Gizmo make people smile – are you really going to take that away just because you were asked about non-profit status? People love your blog and one person surely can’t be enough to make you leave this public forum. That was never my intent. Keep up the good work you are doing. Be prepared - people will ask questions, criticize, and not like the blog. That’s life. I do hope you continue to post on Patch for all your fans. I do wish some of your fans weren't so childish and indulging in name calling. That is certainly not in the spirit of what you and Gizmo are all about.
Best, Megan