Utah police dog survives injury after leaping from overpass

[u/Alarming-Studio-720]

[u/MrSomething_or_Other]

I adopted my dog when she was 5 months old. She was a dream puppy. Smart, sweet, easily trained. 3 weeks into our beautiful relationship, I, like a complete idiot, had her in my lap while driving down busy road with my windows down. One moment she was there, one moment she was gone.

I heard a loud squeel, followed by tires screetching and horns honking. I pulled over, got out and started running........ there she was. Under a tree. I won't go into the details, but after an emergency trip to the emergency animal hospital, she made it out ok.

We went on to have the most amazing 14 years together.

Edit: will you guys freakin' stop with this empathy?😆. Now you've got me ugly crying down in the basement while my wife and babies are upstairs in bed.

My Dog's name was Gemma. She was my best friend and until our son was born, part of me just figured I'd check myself out once she was no longer with me (that plan has long since been thrown out).

I can't talk about her in real life because I can't keep it together. So it's nice finally sharing something about her with anyone. More pics have been added to the comments below. Please enjoy.

Edit #2: For any of you who are still struggling with the death of a pet, or any loved one, really. The words that always come to my mind, despite making my heart hurt worse, also give me some comfort: "Grief is the price we pay for love." It only hurts so much because the love was so strong. We're lucky to experience that kind of love in our lives.

[u/notyouraveragedenial → u/MrSomething_or_Other]

Lost my best friend and soul mate (dog) on Friday. I really needed to hear that last edit. Thank you so much for sharing.

[u/MrSomething_or_Other → u/notyouraveragedenial]

Jesus you guys are fucking killing me with this stuff. I'm so sorry that this is still such a raw ache for you. We all cope and morn in our own ways, but I'm with you on the soul dog part. I don't know if I'll ever have another dog, but I suspect I won't. Other people may adopt another shortly after. Either decision is ok! We enter these relationships knowing that it's a short contract, but it doesn't make it any easier when the time comes. The fact that they are forever reliant upon you for their needs only means that they are just children that never grow up. I imagine you had your dog for a large portion of its life, if not the majority of it. How wonderful of a thought it is to know that after you came into their life, they never had to know what life was like without you.

[u/submitaticket → u/MrSomething_or_Other]

I understand it's a really personal choice, and I respect it.. but I also kind of do hope you open your heart and home to another dog at some point. You can never replace one you've lost, of course (and sadly I have lost a few over the years, I still mourn them all) but you seem like you were such a wonderful and loving owner and another dog in need would be ABSOLUTELY blessed to have you. Much love, Gemma was a sweet baby!