Nine years ago, the cutest three pound brown Chihuahua puppy with oversized ears walked by our table at Peekaboo Canyon restaurant shivering in the arms of a Best Friends Animal Society teammate who sashayed by unsuspecting diners in a hardly subtle, wholly effective adoption effort.
Susan expressed interest in holding the poor thing, and “why yes, possibly fostering,” and the next morning promptly at 7:30 a.m. the doorbell rang. Foster representative and chihuahua arrived on our doorstep there in Kanab, Utah. We were barely out of bed, mostly unprepared for the force of nature that had arrived. “Gypsy”!
There would be no temporary fostering, as it was clear right away that Gypsy would become a regular member of the family. At first, she joined “Bella”, our sweet Coton de Tulear puppy who was perhaps better prepared for Gypsy’s grand arrival. A friend!
Back then, we had recently lost Bella’s Coton brother, Blizzard (or “Blizzie”) who brought us through a winter snowstorm in Madison, Connecticut and then on through many moves thereafter (WI, VA, AZ, NC, CO…) until our arrival in southern Utah.
Gypsy was found on the road in Page, Arizona. It was through Best Friends Animal Society’s outreach to the Navajo Nation near Page that she was eventually transported to the Best Friends’ sanctuary in Kanab.
Gypsy, with her “I’m in Charge” personality, could also be as sweet as sugar as a couch buddy each evening. Her name largely reflected our lives to date as she joined our caravan and us with these moves:
First in Kanab, Utah. Then to Seneca, Oregon. A move on to north central Colorado. Then to the sanctuary of Laramie River Ranch, south of Jelm, Wyoming. Then all the way to Chestertown, Maryland. From there to Warren, Vermont in the Mad River Valley, and finally back to Worton, Maryland. Gypsy endured thousands of road miles while often sleeping under a blanket in the front seat of a 26 foot UHaul. Lewis and Clark would be impressed with her (and our) geographic range.
Gypsy was the de facto head of the household who announced every change, every visitor, every meal, every door sound, really most everything with an ear-piercing bark that made every notice her.
At times Gypsy had to fight off Joey to be able to finish her evening meal. She could turn on a dime to become viciously fierce and snarling with the hair on her back standing straight up.
She was known to wore a tight black sweater with the word SECURITY in big white letters on the back. And in cold weather she would sport a multicolored Phyllis Diller inspired sweater that kept her warm. Susan ensured that Gypsy’ wardrobe was always up to date.
It could never be too hot outside for Gypsy, as she preferred lying in the sun on the hot deck while the rest of us lounged in air conditioned comfort. In the evening, Gypsy enjoyed curling up under her soft blanket on the couch to stay warm.
Gypsy leaves behind her loving pet parents Susan and Brooks along with her house and nighttime crate mate “Joey” (a very sweet, brown BFAS rescue MinPin), and “Mr. Fluffy” (a sophosticated Coton de Tulear puppy (an actual relative of Blizzie and Bella) who generally resided in the next crate over from them each night.
We sadly said goodbye in Malvern, PA at the VRC Veterinary Emergency Care center July 17, 2026 as a ruptured gall bladder brought her to the end of her life.
There were no calling hours. There were no other known relatives. And boy, was it sure quiet after that. We all miss Gypsy very much and recognize the outsized role and extraordinary life she led as a spirited Chihuahua.
Rest in peace Gypsy. We miss you.
© Brooks Bradbury / BrooksLooks 2026
