A Sweet Senior in the Shelter

Last weekend, several members of our Florida Urgent Rescue team visited rural shelters, meeting dogs, handing out treats, and spending time with so many deserving souls. Sarah, Emilia, Cynthia and Susan fell in love with every dog they met, but one girl captured all of our hearts.

Her name is Gemma.

The moment we met her, it was obvious that life has not been kind to this sweet girl. She has been bred far too many times. She is painfully underweight. Her body carries old scars, and she has injuries consistent with having been hit by a car at some point. Yet somehow, through everything she has endured, Gemma has held onto the sweetest, gentlest spirit.

We dog tested her, and she was perfectly fine with the other dogs. But what Gemma wanted most wasn’t another dog or even the treats we brought.

She just wanted someone to hold her.

When it was time to return her to her kennel, she didn’t want to go. Sarah sat with her, comforting her for as long as she could. But as the kennel gate closed, Gemma let out the most heartbreaking cry.

Sarah was practically in tears. But without a Foster, we couldn’t take her.

Sarah posted asking if anyone could foster this precious girl, and within minutes, our incredible foster Marlene stepped up without hesitation. Marlene has opened her home to so many dogs over the years, and once again she said, “Yes.”

The very next step was getting Gemma the medical care she desperately needed.

Sarah made the drive back to Bradford to bring Gemma to Palm Valley Veterinary Center, where she met Marlene and Erin. Dr. Sorenson and the wonderful staff immediately began a thorough evaluation, and it quickly became clear just how much this sweet girl has been suffering.

We ran full bloodwork and initial x-rays raised concerns about what appeared to be a possible mass on her liver.

Thankfully, Dr. Walls, the board-certified internal medicine specialist with Vet Moves, performed an ultrasound the very next day.

The good news is that Gemma does not have a liver mass.

The not-so-good news is that her lymph nodes are significantly enlarged, and her spleen shows abnormal thickening. Dr. Walls performed fine needle aspirates of the enlarged lymph nodes, and we are now anxiously waiting for the laboratory results.

In addition to that, Gemma has a skin infection, multiple scars from old injuries, heartworm disease, and hypothyroidism. She has clearly gone far too long without the care every dog deserves.

And still…

She greets everyone with kindness.

She leans in for affection.

She simply wants to be close to her people.

Since arriving at Marlene’s home, Gemma has been nothing short of amazing. She has settled in beautifully, is wonderful with other dogs, loves children, and is proving to be the perfect houseguest. We think she had never lived inside as a cherished family member before, but she is embracing this new life with grace and gratitude.

While we wait for her lab results, we are moving forward with the care she needs. We are starting her on thyroid medication, and we will begin her heartworm treatment.

This is what rescue is all about.

It takes compassionate shelter staff, volunteers who refuse to walk away, fosters who open their homes, veterinarians who go above and beyond, and an entire community that believes every life is worth fighting for.

Thank you to Marlene, Sarah, Cynthia, Emilia, Erin, Dr. Sorenson, Dr. Walls, the incredible staff at Palm Valley Veterinary Center, and every single person who supports FUR and makes it possible to give dogs like Gemma the second chance they so desperately deserves.

Please keep Gemma in your prayers as we wait for her test results. We are all hoping this sweet girl finally gets the happy ending she’s waited her entire life for. 𝗙𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺

Sick and injured animals need help fast. Every donation helps, but Monthly donors give us flexibility to respond immediately when there is an emergency. When there is a hoarding case or a hurricane, a dog with a gunshot wound or a cruelty case, we have to act quickly. We don't have time to run a fundraiser, and wait for those funds to get to us. Your monthly donation can help us save lives again and again. Learn more at: https://www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donatemonthly

To Donate: 

— Credit Card: www.floridaurgentrescue.org/donate

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    7643 Gate Parkway #104-27

    Jacksonville, FL 32256

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Florida Urgent Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and is rated in the top 1/10th of 1% of all nonprofits nationwide. FUR earned a Four-Star Rating on Charity Navigator with a score of 100%, and a 2025 Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency by Guidestar. FUR is also rated as a Top Nonprofit on Great Nonprofits.