Pets of Point Loma: Jorji and Her Dogs Poppy & Winston

Jorji Siegmundt is a graduate of PLNU’s master’s in biology program and is the university’s chemistry department lab manager. When Siegmundt isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve; their three children, Ashlyn, 14, Maegan, 16, and Charlie, 18; and their dogs.

Poppy and Winston are French bulldogs.

Although Siegmundt described Poppy as normally “pretty spunky and feisty,” two years ago she woke up one day unable to move her back legs.

“She was diagnosed with IVDD, a degenerative disc disorder common in Frenchies,” Siegmundt said. “It was horribly scary.” 

Poppy was rushed into surgery and had two discs fixed in her back. She recovered but never regained full function in her back legs. Still, she’s back to loving life and her people with a bit of attitude!

“Winston is the funniest dog we have ever met,” Siegmundt said. “He likes boxes like a cat. That’s like his thing. He’d rather sleep in a box than a dog bed.”

“The best thing that has come out of it has been seeing my kids respond to both of them and help out,” Siegmundt said.

Winston’s love of boxes amuses even the extended family. Siegmundt’s mother-in-law went so far as to provide a special box for him on Thanksgiving. It was marked: “This is Winston’s box.” Even though he presumably couldn’t read the label, Winston immediately hopped in! 

Like Poppy, Winston has demonstrated how to live a happy life even with health issues. He was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was about a year old. Although he has been on medication since, he had a frightening episode last summer when he fell into the pool during a seizure and nearly drowned.

Although Poppy’s surgery and Winston’s epilepsy have been stressful, they have also given Siegmundt’s kids a chance to develop deeper empathy and a desire to care for them.

“The best thing that has come out of it has been seeing my kids respond to both of them and help out,” Siegmundt said. “Everybody took part in Poppy’s recovery. They make our family a family. Like the last kid, they kind of complete things.”