Gemma's Big Journey

My name is Gemma, and I'm a 6 year old German Shepherd. Someone tied me to the gate of the shelter, and I was really grateful, because then I knew I'd get some help.  The shelter people took me inside and were really shocked at my condition. They determined I have hip dysplasia, allergies and skin rashes, and I'm severely underweight and malnourished.  They put me in a special isolated ward, not available for general viewing/adoption, but followed the procedures to put me on the website in case I had an owner looking for me. (I don't, because no one ever bothered to update the chip registry on me....) 

Then, Jennifer saw me on the website. She wasn't planning on adopting a dog, she just bought a house and has a lot of things going on.  But *SOMETHING* made her go look on the site, and she saw me and felt a connection immediately! She made an appointment to come and see me, but they almost wouldn't bring her back to me, because I'm what they called "medically fragile".  She asked if she could meet me anyway, and they finally brought her back to me. I licked her fingers, and jumped around a little bit, despite my stiff hips, and she fell in love.  After all, SHE has stiff hips sometimes, and SHE still gets to live in a warm house with people who love her!

To make a long story short, she applied to adopt me. I had to wait the required period for someone to claim me, and then I was ready! But the shelter decided to spay me first, so when Jennifer and the girls picked me up, I was really weak, all my ribs were showing, and my hip bones were protruding, as you can see in my cover picture. I was a MESS!  I wandered through the house, trying to smell it all, because it seems really nice here and even though I'm sad about how my life has gone so far, I know I can still have some beautiful days. 

I've started eating a little, they are feeding me some good food and lots of treats. The girls pet me a LOT, and they bought me a stuffed unicorn that I love to carry around.  I'm afraid of the dark, so I don't like to go out at night, but I've only had a couple of accidents on their pretty new floors. I'll get it right soon! I really love them, and I follow around their youngest girl a lot!

This Gofundme is just to help with some initial costs, because Jennifer wants to take me to a high quality vet that uses traditional veterinary treatments, combined with some holistic, natural therapies.  She hopes I can get some water therapy and vitamins, so maybe my hips won't be so stiff.  She's also going to learn some canine massage, so I'll be nice and relaxed pretty soon.  So this money will be used to pay for the right wellness plan and insurance so that future issues will hopefully be covered.  If costs get even higher, she will adjust the GoFundMe accordingly.  If there is any money left over, I hope she'll buy me some Marvel toys on Chewy! I love Captain America and dream of playing with Dodger someday! If I end up super healthy and don't need the money, we will pay it forward and support someone else adopting a special needs doggie like me! 

Let's Make this New Life Happen! Gemma Kimball is my new name!