Page last updated on Saturday, March 31, 2007.
Jemma on her favorite afghan on her favorite couch!
Jemma's story is told by her new parents, James and HelenKay:
Seven months ago, we had the good fortune to adopt a beautiful Cocker Spaniel/Golden Retriever mix from Oldies But Goodies, and we have never been happier. Her new name is Jemma, but you may remember her as Christine, a playful, affectionate beauty full of energy and love.When we brought her home, we could tell she was nervous. She paced the whole house and jumped all over us, no doubt wondering if we were going to be her new parents. We petted her, hugged her, talked to her, and stared into those beautiful brown eyes, wishing there were some way we could tell her that she was, indeed, home for good. Jemma adapted quickly to her new surroundings, though, staking out her favorite spot on her favorite couch, cuddling against her favorite afghan, sleeping on the floor of our closet, and playing with all her new toys. While she loves playing with her toys, she seems happiest when we are both sitting on the couch doting on her (which happens quite often).
Cabin John (MD) is a very dog-friendly town, and Jemma quickly met and became friends with lots of the other neighborhood dogs. Everyone on our block remarks at what a pretty, well-behaved little girl she is; she accepts the compliments with a vigorous wag of her tail and occasionally throws herself onto her back to solicit a belly rub (and usually gets one). She loves her walks, loves to sniff unfamiliar ground, loves to stare at squirrels and we love watching her every second.
Jemma is a happy patient at the Alpine Veterinary Hospital on MacArthur Boulevard; fortunately, Alpine is only two blocks from our house and is along our walking trail, so we often stop in for a social visit. The doctors and staff love and spoil her every time they see her; a couple of weeks ago, when we boarded her for the weekend, the staff was nice enough to take her along on the company picnic, letter her swim through streams, eat hot dogs, and play frisbee! At least twice a week, a staff member will see one of us walking her, come outside and yell, "Jemma!", offering her a treat. We are so grateful that she is always in capable, caring hands whenever we take her in for treatment or just a social call.
Sometimes we look into Jemma’s pretty brown eyes and wonder how any misfortune could ever befall her; her beauty, her unconditional love, and her blithe spirit make her the perfect, and we do mean perfect dog. Though we do not know and perhaps never will or want to know the circumstances that led her to Oldies But Goodies, we want her and you to know that she has permanent place in our home and our hearts.
Much credit goes to the Reitz family for being such wonderful foster parents for Jemma; she was obviously raised in an environment where she learned the meaning of love. Not a day goes by that we don’t wonder what our lives were like without her. We thank you for allowing and trusting us to be the custodians of one of God’s most special creatures. Please rest assured that Jemma is in the caring, loving hands of two people who love her very, very much.
James and HelenKay Miyazawa