Shanna, Hali with the infamous Gizmo, and universal banker Leigha Johnston.

The team at Green Bay West got a surprise visit last month from a woman they’d never seen before — but someone else they had.

“An adorable dog came in with this woman,” assistant branch manager Hali Thompson reports. Universal banker Shanna Krause looked at the human, and then at the dog, and back at the woman, and exclaimed, “Oh my god, it’s Gizmo!”

Gizmo turns 3 tomorrow, October 9. Happy birthday, pal!

It was Gizmo, along with his owner, senior deposit operations specialist Erica Kuik. And though branch staff had never met Erica in person, they recognized the shih tzu — who has appeared in Shorelines a couple times before — because of the unofficial “fan club” updates she sends out.

“In the beginning of COVID, I would send weekly updates of my ‘new co-worker,'” Erica says. Around 20 people are on the Gizmo mailing list. “Once I came back to Corporate, it changed to monthly, but I do like to surprise them every once in a while with a random email.”

“I had emailed Erica about how cute Gizmo was, and she began sending emails periodically for those who were fans of him,” Hali said. “The emails include pictures and little quips about what Gizmo has been up to, and we just love it. Seeing his little face just makes our day!”

Erica was visiting her parents in Manitowoc County when she decided to stop by the branch with pup in tow.

“We all immediately fangirled over Gizmo, and we all agree that he’s even more adorable in person!” Hali says. “He followed me into the back room, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t tempted to make a run for it with him. I was also super excited to meet Erica, as we talk frequently about customer situations or paperwork needing something else.”

Erica agreed it was great to finally meet the Green Bay West crew. She says she’s not sure she and Gizmo are available for a tour of every branch, but noted, “We have visited Corporate, so all of his fans on the 2nd Floor and elsewhere could meet him.”