Gemma is a 3-year, 7-month-old gal who weighs 24 pounds and has perfected the art of being a shadow. She’s a Velcro dog through and through—loyal, affectionate, and happiest when she’s close to her person. Whether you’re working from home, heading out for a walk, or just moving from room to room, Gemma wants to be part of it all.

Gemma originally came to FBV after her first owner—who got her as a retired breeder—surrendered her due to difficulty with housetraining. She was later adopted through FBV, but the home proved to be a bit too busy for her comfort. With multiple dogs and a high-energy environment, Gemma began to show signs of stress, which ultimately led to a bite incident with one of the other dogs. Her adopter made the difficult but thoughtful decision to return her, recognizing that Gemma would thrive best in a calmer, more structured setting.

Despite her past, Gemma has blossomed in foster care. She’s healthy and spayed. She had nare surgery in her previous foster home and has a healed corneal ulcer that doesn’t affect her vision or cause discomfort. While she previously received a Cytopoint shot for allergies, she hasn’t shown any significant allergy symptoms in her current foster home. When she first arrived, she had some redness and licking of her feet, but with a diet change, chlorhexidine foot soaks, regular baths, and occasional use of Coat Defense powder, those symptoms resolved. Continued maintenance will likely be needed to prevent recurrence, but she’s thriving with her current routine.

When Gemma first arrived in her foster home, she showed some mild resource guarding around food and had a habit of snacking rather than finishing her meals. With structure and consistency, she now eats two scheduled meals a day and finishes them reliably. Mealtime is managed calmly—Gemma eats in the same room as her foster siblings, but each dog has their own space, and food bowls are picked up promptly after meals. This routine has worked very well. She also takes treats alongside the other dogs without any issues. Her future home should continue to provide supervision during meals and maintain clear boundaries to support her continued success.

She’s a dream to groom. Baths, ear cleanings, skin fold care, hiney wipes—Gemma handles it all with calm cooperation. She even seems to enjoy the process. Her foster mom says she’s the easiest dog she’s ever trimmed nails on, and her coat is soft and beautiful!

Gemma gets along well with men, women, and older children. She’s affectionate and playful, though she can get overexcited and may jump or playfully nip during high-energy moments. This behavior isn’t aggressive, but supervision is recommended around small children who may be overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.

She interacts appropriately with other dogs, especially those with mild or neutral temperaments. While she’s had a few minor spats initially—related to food, toys and proximity to her person—she continues to play well with all dogs in her foster home even when toys and bones are freely available. She thrives with structure and supervision during dog-to-dog interactions and would love a home where she’s the center of attention.

Gemma is fantastic with cats. She allows the resident cat to groom her, and they nap together like old friends. While outside, Gemma doesn’t pay much attention to birds, squirrels, and other little critters—she simply goes about her business.

She’s made great progress with housebreaking. She goes to the door when she needs to poop, and while she doesn’t always signal for pee breaks, her foster has learned to read her cues—like wandering off when she needs to go. Frequent outdoor breaks and close supervision help her stay on track.

Gemma is crate trained and will sleep quietly through the night if her crate is next to your bed, but she prefers not to be crated. She does experience separation anxiety and becomes vocal when crated, especially after a few hours. She’s been crated with other dogs in the room, but it’s unclear how she’d do completely alone. She’s happiest when she’s near her person and would do best in a home where someone is around most of the day—whether that’s a work-from-home setup, a dog-friendly workplace, or regular doggie daycare. Her adoptive family should be prepared to continue working with her on reducing her separation anxiety through patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

She loves chewing on bones, playing with small plush toys and balls, and going on walks (she does well on a leash!). She also loves car rides and is becoming quite the little Jeep dog. She travels calmly, behaves beautifully in public, and charms everyone she meets. She’s attended pet-friendly events, walked the boardwalk, and mingled in crowds—even falling asleep in the arms of strangers who were petting her. She’s social, affectionate, and has a truly delightful disposition.

Gemma is playful, cuddly, and full of charm. She makes adorable Frenchie sounds, does a little dance when she’s excited for meals, and parades her toys around the house like trophies. She’s a perfect mix of energy and calm, making her an ideal companion for someone who wants a dog that’s both entertaining and deeply devoted.

Gemma isn’t just a dog—she’s a sidekick, a snuggle buddy, and a loyal friend. She deserves a loving home where she can share her playful energy, cuddle on the couch, and enjoy daily adventures with someone who appreciates her affectionate and joyful personality.

If you’re thinking, “Wait… is Gemma my soulmate in a snuggly Frenchie body?”—go ahead and apply. She’s ready to be your sidekick, your shadow, and your daily dose of joy.