When little Gema was born, her family immediately noticed two things: she was much smaller than her Great Dane siblings — nearly a third of their size — and she had an extraordinary surprise. Nestled on one of her front legs was an extra paw.
Unsure whether they could meet the needs of such a uniquely built puppy, Gema’s family reached out to Stray Rescue of St. Louis. The rescue didn’t hesitate for a second.
“They surrendered her to us so they could give her a fighting chance,” Natalie Thomson, director of marketing at Stray Rescue of St. Louis, told The Dodo.
From the moment Gema arrived, she completely stole the show. Staff and volunteers instantly fell in love with the special little girl. Her tiny frame, gentle spirit and joyful wiggles melted everyone’s hearts.
“Everyone seems to squeal and say, ‘Aww, she is perfect,’” Thomson said.
Gema’s back legs developed typically, but her front legs are unique: one is unusually short, and the other has two paws. Instead of slowing her down, Gema has simply invented her own way of navigating the world — often balancing upright on her back feet like a little kangaroo. And she does it all with zero awareness that she’s any different.
“She doesn’t know what all the hype is about,” Thomson said. “This is all she’s known and she’s just as happy as any other puppy. She’s an angel! She loves to be held and cuddled.”
Since arriving at the rescue, Gema’s tail hasn’t stopped wagging. She’s soaking up every bit of affection and attention. For now, she’s settled into a loving foster home where she can grow, play and receive ongoing evaluations to determine her medical needs.
“They have two other dogs, two cats and three young boys who love to hold her and play with her,” Thomson said. “Life is good!”
Gema may need surgery in the future, but her team is taking things slowly and thoughtfully. Other than her unusual front legs, she’s healthy, vibrant and full of puppy joy — and everyone is committed to making sure she stays that way. She’ll eventually be ready for adoption, but for now she’s happily hopping through life exactly as she is.
“We’re thankful she is bringing awareness to special needs dogs,” Thomson said.
If you’d like to support Gema’s ongoing care, donations can be made to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.
