“It was really heartbreaking for all of us”: Gemma Owen of Love Island was devastated after her dog Ronnie died while on vacation, months before entering the village.
For Kenzi Devine for Mailonline
Posted: 18:21, 9 June 2022 | Updated: 6:46 PM, June 9, 2022
Gemma Owen suffered a heart attack last year when she lost her beloved dog Ronnie, discovering the tragic news while on vacation at 4,000 miles.
The 19-year-old, who entered the Love Island villa this week, said at the time that she was “heartbroken” by the loss.
Describing Ronnie as her “best friend”, Gemma and her football father Michael Owen expressed their sadness after learning of the news via a phone call.
Tragic: Gemma Owen, 19, suffered a heart attack last year after losing her dog Ronnie while on vacation
The family’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier fell ill while the reality star and his family were on holiday in Dubai, with Michael returning to work soon.
In her post-loss Instagram story, Gemma wrote, “I lost everything a few days ago,” before christening Ronnie as “the best guy,” on a photo of the two of them.
Appearing on the Walking The Dog podcast with Emily Dean, Michael described it as “the worst vacation we’ve ever had.”
Heartache: The star, who entered the village of Love Island this week, said at the time that she was “heartbroken” by the loss.
Close: The family’s Staffordshire Bull Terrier fell ill while the reality star and his family were on holiday in Dubai, with Michael returning to work soon.
He explained: “I had to comment on a match, so I had just returned from Dubai and it was on the air. I beeped on the phone. Then, as soon as we got to a commercial break, I my mom would tell me “call me right away”.
“I had to do two more hours on the show knowing that my dog was literally shot down as it happened.
Michael continued: “And then I called the kids in Dubai. It was probably the best because it got a little out of our minds, but make no mistake, it was the worst vacation we’ve ever had.”
Cute: “He was my best friend. I absolutely loved him. He followed me everywhere,” Gemma explained.
Gemma’s father, Michael, explained: “I had to comment on a game, so I flew back from Dubai and it was in the air. I beeped on the phone. Then, as soon as we got to a advertising pause, I looked at her and it was my mother telling me “call me right away”.
Gemma added: “He was my best friend. I absolutely loved him. He followed me everywhere.
“He was like my dog in my opinion. He was the best ever. He was really heartbreaking to all of us.”
In December, the family welcomed the silver Staffy Kaiser family and Italian greyhound Zola, as well as Gemma’s 12 horses.
Some viewers of the island of love, described as “cold”, the beauty is currently paired with the Italian Davide, after having been originally paired with the Welsh Liam.
Clan: The family welcomed Staffy Kaiser Silver and Italian Greyhound Zola to the family last year (LR’s sister Gemma, Emily May, Louise’s mother, Father Michael, Jessica’s sister, Gemma and brother James)