Gizmo Has His Pawtrait Done!

This is Gizmo Aloysius Graymalkin Wilkins.  

    He is a wondrous cat - nearly eighteen years old and still plodding on. His legs are a bit rickety, making him toddle rather than sashay as he used to. He has crazy whiskers which, on occasion, give him the look of Dick Dastardly. He has one enlarged eye pupil, thanks to what we believe to be a couple of strokes (or 'events') in recent years, and he's a bit fluffy-minded on occasion. 

    In his former years he was the king of the area, prowling local fields, fighting off intruders and reducing the rodent population to a trembling minority. He's battle scarred and missing a large chunk of one ear - a testament to his gangster activities. In his senior years, he is still the Boss, although he uses his adorable face and persistent meows to keep mum and dad in line. He's defied medical opinion and diagnosis to stick around, keeping an interested eye on all of us.

    Gizmo's doddery gait and ponderous reactions bely the smart cat underneath the surface. In the blink of an eye, he can traverse the full length of our long garden to appear, ninja-like, in the kitchen when food is required. He can disappear - stealth cat - and reappear moments later on a shed roof, watching silently like Predator in the jungle. He doesn't miss a trick.

    He has been my husband's constant companion and closest friend and confidant since he was a kitten. He's been there in the best and worst of times, always gentle, purring, cuddling. His soft fur has collected sighs, laughter, secrets and tears. He has remained constant and true. He is loved by everyone who meets him and his character is larger than life, leaving an indelible heart-shaped mark on each of us. 

    When it came to choosing what I would do to make my Husband's birthday extra special, it was a no-brainer. A Gizzy-whizz portrait. I have loved every second of working on this picture. I added ivy to his fur as a symbol of everlasting friendship. My husband loves it. I love my Husband. We both adore Gizmo. Gizmo loves life, food, cuddles and falling leaves. 

    We should all be a little bit 'Gizmo'.