4K Views 3 years ago

Meet Gizmo, the Fearless Storm-Chasing Yorkshire Terrier

Reed Timmer is no stranger to the fury of Mother Nature’s most intense storms. Over the years, he has faced countless tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards as a professional extreme storm chaser. However, one companion has always been by his side – a pint-sized Yorkshire terrier named Gizmo.

Gizmo, who weighs in at just five pounds, is a seasoned storm chaser with a remarkable record of her own. At 14 years old, she has witnessed more than 200 tornadoes and 10 hurricanes, a feat that could earn her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Timmer shared his admiration for his furry sidekick, stating, “I think it is a record the number of tornados she’s seen. We are considering applying for the Guinness Book of World Records. She was born into the storm chasing life.”

@reedtimmerwx
Gizmo is pissed her chase season has not yet begun

♬ original sound – Reed Timmer, PhD

Gizmo’s storm-chasing adventures have taken her to 48 states and several Canadian provinces. She has ridden in armored vehicles to intercept severe storms, including tornadoes and Nor’easter blizzards. She even found herself in the eye of Hurricane Michael, a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane that struck Mexico Beach, Florida, in 2018. Remarkably, Gizmo survived being directly hit by a tornado at Timmer’s home in Oklahoma in 2015. Despite her small size, she emerged unscathed, proving her resilience.

Timmer, a meteorologist and storm chaser for AccuWeather, gained fame through his appearances on Discovery Channel’s “Storm Chasers” in 2008. His loyal canine companion, Gizmo, has also made her mark on television, featuring in National Geographic’s “Storm Rising” alongside Timmer and fellow storm chaser Mike Theiss in 2021. Gizmo has a devoted following of her own, frequently appearing on Timmer’s social media pages.

While most dogs cower in fear during storms, Gizmo remains unflinching. She appears to relish the thrill of severe weather, a sentiment Timmer believes she shares with him.

Timmer has been chasing storms since 1996 and adopted Gizmo when she was just a month old. He started bringing her along on his adventures when she was two because she “just wanted to go so bad” and would beg to accompany him whenever he left the house. For Timmer, Gizmo is not just a pet; she’s a life partner.

We encourage everyone thinking of getting a pet to adopt instead of shop. Read more resources about adopting animals on One Green Planet, including 7 Reasons to Adopt Your Next Furry Best Friend, 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Adopt a Pet, and These Heartwarming Before and After Pictures of Adopted Rescue Animals Will Make Your Day! Read tips for pet adoptions and what to consider before adopting an animal. We recommend using these apps to find shelter dogs near you!