Every great family has that one character who keeps life interesting. For Steph and Jason Birn and their family, that character happens to have four legs, a particular palate and an opinion on just about everything.

Meet Gizmo, a 13-year-old mixed-breed rescue whose journey to the Birn family began in San Diego. He was originally supposed to be a temporary foster. But Gizmo apparently had other plans.

Like so many beloved foster dogs before him, he became a “foster fail” when the Birns decided to keep him, something they have never regretted. “He’s equal parts sweetheart and goofball,” Steph says.

Grace has never exactly been Gizmo’s strong suit. He is known for awkwardly navigating his surroundings, including tripping over his own feet, and generally marches to the beat of his own drum. 

“For all his quirks, selective tastes, clumsy moments and strong opinions, Gizmo is first and foremost a love bug,” Steph says. “He’s the kind of dog who reminds us that perfection is overrated and personality is everything.”

He even has his own special whistle, used exclusively for him during recall and family games of hide-and-seek. The whistle was inspired by Gremlins, specifically the scene where the kind and lovable mogwai named Gizmo bonds with Billy.

A walk with Gizmo is more like gathering neighborhood intelligence. Every tree must be thoroughly inspected. Every scent deserves investigation. No trunk goes unmarked and no sniff goes unexplored. “If the neighborhood trees could talk, they’d probably know him by name,” Steph says.

And then there’s Gizmo’s famously discerning palate. He has turned down treats that would have other dogs performing backflips. His family has even resorted to putting on a full culinary performance for him, standing at the stove and ceremoniously stirring an empty bowl while Gizmo watches. Apparently, dinner tastes better when it comes from his personal chef.

In 2019, the Birns added another rescue to their family: a cat named Dottie. They thought they were simply welcoming another furry friend. Gizmo had a different opinion.

The two have maintained what might generously be called an ongoing disagreement. Gizmo has made his feelings about his feline housemate abundantly clear, and the resulting feud has led to one particularly unexpected accessory becoming part of his wardrobe: diapers. Not every dog can pull off the look. Somehow Gizmo does.

With the addition of young rescue dog Penny, the Birn household is now home to a full collection of furry personalities. Gizmo remains unmistakably Gizmo: quirky, stubborn, funny, affectionate and completely himself.