Yahoo News Gemma Atkinson tells Gorka Marquez to issue her 'reminder' after heartbreak over loss
Gemma Atkinson has told how she's asked Gorka Marquez to 'remind her' of the pain she is currently feeling if she mentions getting another dog in the future following the family's heartbreaking loss.
The Hits Radio said her "heart was broken" as she shared that her beloved dog Norman had passed away at the end of last month (June). She confirmed the upsetting news by posting a moving video featuring pictures and clips of him from over the years with her and fellow dog Ollie, as well as her fiance Gorka and their two children.
Gemma paid tribute to her much-loved pet who she said had given her her "first experience of being a mum and having someone other than myself to care for" alongside his companion Ollie before she and Strictly Come Dancing star welcomed Mia, five, and 11-month-old Thiag into the world.
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Since then, Gemma has been sharing updates about how she's facing the grief of losing their beloved pet with their daughter as well as how she's been coping.
Following their daughter's birthday last Thursday (July 4), Gemma told how as Mia's day came to an end, she debrief with her mum - and her words broke her heart. Sharing a typed-out message on her Instagram Story, the mum-of-two said: "Thought I'd got through today cry-free but Mia just told me in bed she's had a really good birthday but her best present ever would have been if Norman came home."
The following day, Gemma, 39, was seen trying to channel her grief as she shared a look at her latest workout in the gym of her Greater Manchester home.
Sharing a vdeo of herself working up a sweat on Instagram on Friday (July 5), the former Hollyoaks and Emmerdale star said: "Grief is a funny old thing isn’t it?" as she spoke about the weird few days she had between losing Norman and celebrating Mia's birthday.
But Gemma has since been asked a number of questions, including how Ollie is getting on following the loss of Norman. While she said he is 'ok', she added: "He's up and down. He wouldn't eat his food the other day, I had to hand-feed him. But then he caned, he ate all so he's getting there. Thank you very much for asking."
In a follow-up post, Gemma was heard responding to a question she ahs been 'asked a lot', with her screenshotting one of her direst messages which read: "Do you think you will get another dog to keep Ollie company?" The former Strictly star replied: !I know for some people it works bringing another dog in, I couldn't.
"I don't know, I wouldn't want Norm to think he's being replaced and I know that's not the case. I could never, ever have the same breed again. I wouldn't want any other dog to come in and take the attention from Ollie. I want all the attention on Ollie and I know ultimately, what we've just gone through with Norm, we'll have to go through it with Ollie at some point."
She continued: "I can't even think about that, crikey! I was up at Bleakholt [Animal Sanctuary] yesterday... There was so many dogs there but I said to GOrka, 'If I say to you down the lines, let's get another dog, remind me of how I feel now, please!'"
