.png)
Marissa Dube
Created by Marissa Dube
Gemma’s Promise
Gemma was 9 years old — a Lab–Pit mix and my constant companion since I brought her home at just 4 weeks old. She had been my best friend, my rock, and my shadow through every chapter of life.
Just three weeks before she passed, Gemma’s right forearm suddenly swelled. At first, the vet believed it might have been cellulitis from a bee sting or bug bite. We tried antibiotics, then two weeks of carprofen, and finally prednisone — but nothing helped. Her pain only worsened. She could no longer walk on her own, so I carried her up and down the stairs, and eventually, she stopped eating.
We tried a fine needle aspirate, hoping for answers, but the results weren’t expected until 9/25/25.
Gemma’s swelling and pain became unbearable. We rushed her to the Tufts Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Walpole, MA, where she was admitted immediately for testing. She spent the night.
Around noon the next day, I received the call no pet parent ever wants to get: the x-rays revealed a massive tumor in Gemma’s lungs, pressing against her esophagus and spine, along with numerous nodules that had spread throughout her body. I asked if there was anything we could do to prolong her life, but there were no options left.
That afternoon, Josh (her dog dad) and I held her, told her how deeply we loved her, and let her go peacefully.
It all happened so fast. Back in February 2025, I had brought Gemma in for chest x-rays because she had been coughing — and those scans were completely clear. In just a matter of months, this rare, aggressive cancer appeared out of nowhere and stole my sweet girl from us.
⸻
Why I Fundraised
In Gemma’s honor, I wanted to raise awareness and support research into rare and aggressive canine cancers so that other families might have more answers and more time than we did. Every contribution helped carry Gemma’s name forward while making a real difference for the dogs who come after her.
The Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds science to advance the health of animals around the world. Since its founding in 1948, the Foundation has invested over $149 million in more than 2,940 studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments, and preventions to benefit animals everywhere.
Thank you for helping me turn heartbreak into hope. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of animals.
Just three weeks before she passed, Gemma’s right forearm suddenly swelled. At first, the vet believed it might have been cellulitis from a bee sting or bug bite. We tried antibiotics, then two weeks of carprofen, and finally prednisone — but nothing helped. Her pain only worsened. She could no longer walk on her own, so I carried her up and down the stairs, and eventually, she stopped eating.
We tried a fine needle aspirate, hoping for answers, but the results weren’t expected until 9/25/25.
Gemma’s swelling and pain became unbearable. We rushed her to the Tufts Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Walpole, MA, where she was admitted immediately for testing. She spent the night.
Around noon the next day, I received the call no pet parent ever wants to get: the x-rays revealed a massive tumor in Gemma’s lungs, pressing against her esophagus and spine, along with numerous nodules that had spread throughout her body. I asked if there was anything we could do to prolong her life, but there were no options left.
That afternoon, Josh (her dog dad) and I held her, told her how deeply we loved her, and let her go peacefully.
It all happened so fast. Back in February 2025, I had brought Gemma in for chest x-rays because she had been coughing — and those scans were completely clear. In just a matter of months, this rare, aggressive cancer appeared out of nowhere and stole my sweet girl from us.
⸻
Why I Fundraised
In Gemma’s honor, I wanted to raise awareness and support research into rare and aggressive canine cancers so that other families might have more answers and more time than we did. Every contribution helped carry Gemma’s name forward while making a real difference for the dogs who come after her.
The Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that funds science to advance the health of animals around the world. Since its founding in 1948, the Foundation has invested over $149 million in more than 2,940 studies that have led to significant breakthroughs in diagnostics, treatments, and preventions to benefit animals everywhere.
Thank you for helping me turn heartbreak into hope. Together, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of animals.
SEP
22
22
Guest Book