Gemma Atkinson shares heartbreaking message one year on from devastating loss

Edinburgh Live

12 hours ago

Gemma Atkinson has shared a poignant yet uplifting message as she commemorated one year since the painful farewell of her dogs.
Followers of Gemma on social media will know how heartbroken she was by the loss of her beloved dogs, Norman and Ollie, who both passed away within six months of each other last year.
Announcing Norman's passing last summer, just days before her daughter Mia's fifth birthday, Gemma expressed: "My beautiful boy Norman has passed away."
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She added, "My heart is broken," and posted an emotional video with snapshots and footage of him throughout the years with her and Ollie, as well as fiancé Gorka Marquez and their two children, Mia and one year old Thiago.
Then, on December 10, Gemma, aged 40, revealed that Ollie had joined Norman, leaving her shattered. In a video filled with memories over the years featuring Ollie and Norman, the Bury-born actress shared with her two million followers: "Sleep well beautiful Ollie..", reports the Manchester Evening News.
She continued, "The sadness of losing you both so close together is a lot, but I know you're both somewhere running free in long grass or on a beach chasing the tide carefree, pain-free and happy. That's what I'm taking comfort in right now. I'll remember you for the rest of my life. Norman and Ollie. My two best boys. Reunited."
It was this Saturday (June 28) that Gemma took a moment to look back on the 12 months since Norman's death. She turned to Instagram with a touching video that captured the cherished moments she spent with Norman.
In an emotional post shared with her 2.1 million followers, she wrote: "A year since we said goodbye to Norman... It's passed by so quickly.
"I still get a lot of DMs from people who've recently lost their companion asking how I coped and in all honesty I still a year on have the odd day where it hits me out of nowhere and I miss both Norman and Ollie SO much. I see a man most days walking with a spaniel the spitting image of Ollie and I always smile to myself.
"Until you've experienced pet loss it's hard to explain how hard it is. To some they are "just a dog" or "just a pet" and I guess in a way that's what makes us owners so lucky. We know they are so much more than that, because we've experienced the unconditional love and loyalty.
"The no judgment regardless of our situation. Those morning stretches and longing looks from them knowing you're their human, and you are the most important loved person every single day of their life. It's the most wonderful feeling you can imagine. I count myself lucky that from age 2 I've had that joy. In Fergie, Norman, Ollie and now Benji."
Benji is the new goldendoodle puppy that Gemma and her fiance Gorka Marquez welcomed into their lives last month. She continued: "I know Norm and Ollie played a part in sending him to us. Even from another realm they knew we needed him. Especially Mia. She was struggling and they helped her heal. Benji has helped her heal.
"So to those who ask me about losing a pet, I say the pain never truly fades, but I believe it's because they take a small piece of our heart with them - a little memento reminding us that we're their human, and just as we remember and talk about them, they do the same about us."
This emotional post sparked an outpouring of love and support. @life_with_hope2023 commented: "Tears are rolling... your words, so true, so beautiful, so poignant. Rest in paradise to all of our soul dogs."
@66northgirl replied: "Thank you for that post. Only 6 weeks into the pain of losing my 'furbaby' and still so incredibly raw. Sending love and thoughts to your family."
@lucymaygoodwin said: "Never 'just a dog', 'just a cat', 'just a pet'. They are all part of our family and leave a paw print on our hearts for life. Sending you lots of love today."
@wrightiesan10 wrote: "What an amazing video. So beautiful. Hope Norman is having the best time at rainbow bridge."
@tracyfrostlewis posted: "Oh boy. So beautifully written and so very true. Tears here. Thank you."
@tracy. grayson added: "Oh Gemma. This got me. So well put..they take a bit of our hearts."