Gemma Atkinson had told how she was ‘so heartbroken’ following the loss of her beloved dogs as she spoke about the realities of pet grief.
It was only in December that the Hits Radio host announced the heartbreaking death of her and her fiance Gorka Marquez’s beloved dog Ollie. The death of their pet came just six months after the devastating loss of their other much-loved pooch, Norman, in July.
Confirming Norman’s death last summer, days before her daughter’s fifth birthday, Gemma said: “My beautiful boy Norman has passed away. My heart is broken,” alongside a moving video featuring pictures and clips of him from over the years with her and Ollie, as well as her fiancé Gorka and their two children, Mia, five, and one-year-old Thiago.
Bury-born Gemma, 40, then confirmed on December 10 that Ollie had been reunited with Norman, leaving her heartbroken. Sharing a video full of pictures and videos from over the years featuring Ollie as well as Norman, the Bury-born star wrote to her two million followers: “Sleep well beautiful Ollie…”
She heartbreakingly ended the post at the time: “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 care free, 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 2 best boys. Reunited.”
(Image: Gemma Atkinson Instagram)
Now, Gemma has spoken about the loss of her dogs, two cocker spaniel poodle cross, who she’d had before meeting Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka and them starting a family together.
She told The I Paper: “I was so heartbroken, I had to take two days off work,” recalls Atkinson. “Dogs love you like nothing else. You can occasionally fall out with friends and family, or they can do something to upset you, but pets would never do anything to hurt your feelings on purpose.
“Before Gorka, Mia and Tio, it was just me and the dogs for 14 years. They were with me through so many highs and lows, and when they passed away my grief was so real. It was especially hard with Mia and talking to her about what had happened, because she was close with Norman and Ollie too.
“At first I didn’t know whether I should try to protect her from what death was, but I spoke to a psychologist who told me the best way was to be open and honest. At least, to a degree.”
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