Gizmo The Chihuahua Reunites With His Owner After 9 Years

A Las Vegas woman just got her dog, Gizmo, back nine years after he went missing. 

Losing an animal is one of the hardest things ever. Especially when they are just that - lost. You have no idea if they are ok, or if they are even still alive. The feeling of helplessness is gut-wrenching, because our animals are more than pets - they are family members.

Nine years ago, a chihuahua named Gizmo, and two other dogs got out of Judith Monarrez's backyard, due to a faulty latch on the gate. Two of the dogs were found, and brought back home. But Gizmo was nowhere to be found. That began Judith's extensive search.

She made a Facebook group to help find him, and she posted for a long time, saying that she would never give up hope. Fast forward 9 years.

A woman dropped him off at the Animal Emergency Center of Las Vegas and Henderson. The woman said she spent two months trying to rescue little Gizmo. She wanted to keep him if he didn't have a microchip, but he did. So she could not keep him. But because of that microchip, Gizmo is now back with his original family.

Gizmo is now 11 years old, and he has had a rough 9 years. It appears that he has been living on the streets all this time. He has a lot of health issues: broken bones, dental disease, eye issues and possibly an ear infection. But he is recovering, and hopefully will be ok.

People online have donated over $6,000 (as of this writing) to a GoFundMe, to help cover the vet bills. but it is going to take some time to get Gizmo well. But at least he is back home - after a lifetime - with his loving owner.

I don't know Gizmo, but I do know this about him: He is a BADASS for having survived 9 years on the Las Vegas streets!

Be well, little guy.

Nevada campgrounds are probably one of the best ways to see the beautiful silver state of Nevada. And there are some gorgeous spots that can get you up close to nature, like a hotel room cannot.

For those of us who live in Nevada, we already know the state is so much more than just Las Vegas and Reno. But visitors may not know that.

Throughout the state of Nevada, there is a beauty that is unexpected, until you experience it. The low, dry, hot desert of Las Vegas, and the milder high desert, and four seasons of Reno are spectacular.

Las Vegas' Lake Mead, is a beautiful sight in the hot dry desert. Especially in the summer. It's the one refuge that Las Vegas has to cool off. And in Northern Nevada, you have even more lakes to choose from: The natural wonder of beautiful Lake Tahoe, historic Donner Lake, and mysterious Pyramid Lake.

There are countless amazing places to see, and visit, in Nevada. You can go hiking, or visit state park. But if you really want to see Nevada's natural beauty, and get close to it, how about one of the beautiful campgrounds.

According to Only In your State, the Nevada State Park System runs 27 state parks. Each park offers amazing ways to enjoy the beauty of Nevada. You may not be familiar with all of them - or any of them, for that matter. But being a native of Nevada (yes, there are some of us), I can tell you they are all even more beautiful than you could imagine, because I've been there.

Camping might be the best option you never even considered! Here are some of the best campgrounds in Nevada for your next nature exploration adventure.

Valley of Fire is the largest state park in Nevada. It is about 50 minutes outside of Las Vegas, in Moapa. The natural rock formations are absolutely mesmerizing. And the petrified trees, and ancient petroglyphs are quite a sight. The park charges a day-use fee of $10 per vehicle with Nevada license plates, $15 for non-Nevada license plates. Cost is $20/night for Nevada residents; $25/night for non-residents. There's an additional $10 charge for utility hookups. Water, restrooms and each site has a shaded picnic table and a grill available.

In Northern Nevada, about a half hour from Reno. Boating, horseback riding, and beautiful views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Year round camping with grills, fire pits, picnic tables and a shower in the bathhouse. Very close to Virginia City, and Nevada's Capital of Carson City, as well. There is an entry fee of $5 per vehicle with Nevada, $10 for non-Nevada license plates.  Cost: $15/night for NV residents, $20/night for non-residents. $10 fee for utility hookups.

One of my favorite areas, because it is at Lake Tahoe (Zephyr Cove). I spent a lot of time here growing up. There is nothing more beautiful than Lake Tahoe, to begin with. And camping in the beautiful forested area right at the lake is amazing! At almost a 7000 foot elevation, it's some of the freshest air imaginable. Tent and RV camping are available, and some even have views of the lake. However, the lake is literally a minute long walk away. The cost is about $40 to $45/night.

Beaver Dam State Park is in Caliente, Nevada. It is about 2 hours from Las Vegas. It is very peaceful, and at the Nevada Utah border. Streams, waterfalls, and lots of forest. Drinking water is only available from April through November, but you can camp at Beaver Dam year round. There is a day use fee of $5 per vehicle with NV plates and $10 for non-NV license plates. Cost is $15/night NV residents; $20/night for non-residents.

Pyramid Lake is about 40 miles outside of Reno. It is a very beautiful, and mysterious lakes in Nevada. You'll see some of the strangest, and oddly beautiful rock formations, and reel in some very different fish. The Cui-ui trout - which is only found at Pyramid Lake. Lahontan cutthroat trout, and other varieties of trout. There are several campgrounds, and also Crosby's Lodge - a budget friendly hotel. If you're doing old fashioned tent camping, it's $30/night. RV sites are $40.