A Hole in Our Hearts

As evidenced already, we love our Jemma which is why is it with great sadness and tears in my eyes that I have to come to terms with putting our sweet girl to sleep.  Jemma was only four and a half, which is why it was a total shock to us.  She was diagnosed late Saturday night with a genetic degenerative disk disease after she jumped off the couch and hurt her back.  We had been told by our vet that dachshunds are prone to back issues, but that if we kept Jemma's weight in check, it shouldn't be a problem.  Unfortunately, Jemma's was a genetic issue that was inevitable.  We brought her home from the vet clinic with the idea that she would never be able to jump again and that she would be on strict crate rest for a month.  This news in and of itself was pretty shocking.  Jemma has always been able to jump and come and go as she pleased.  We were going to have to completely train her in a different lifestyle.  However, we got home and realized that Jemma could not even stand let alone walk.  It was heartbreaking and we called the hospital back right away.  After a very long night of little to no sleep, Jemma deteriorated before our eyes.  In the morning, we took her back to the hospital with a pit in our stomachs telling us that we would probably be coming back without our baby.  They did a test to see if Jemma had any feeling, which she didn't and was why she was completely paralyzed in her lower half.  It was clear that Jemma would have no kind of quality of life and she was in pain.  We had to do the right thing even though it was the hardest thing we've ever had to do.  Greg and I are grieving the loss of our loved dog.  Since she was such a part of our lives we have been left with a giant hole.  However, we think Jemma was one of the most special dogs and we consider ourselves privileged to have been her owners.  We both agree that her life was too short, but we wouldn't have traded it for anything.  Jemma has been such a bright spot in our lives, especially over the past two years that have been such a struggle for Greg and I.  We can't understand the timing of it, but we have to trust God in all things (even the really hard, crappy ones).  We know Jemma was loved by many and so many people have been so sweet and supportive of us during this time.  We are thankful to them because they understand that Jemma was never "just a dog" but a very special part of our family.  So to you Jemma (Jemma Bean, Bean, Beanie, Beanie Baby, Jemma Pup, Sweet Girl, Jemmy, Jems, Little, Tiny, Girlie, Girla, One Ear, Weenie Pup) you are are sweet, sweet girl.  We love you with all our hearts and there will always be a special place for you there.