The Perfect Puppy for a Special Family

Wright-Way Rescue recently had the opportunity to once again team up with the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation to find the perfect puppy for a special family. Not only that, but this puppy was born in one of our amazing maternal foster homes to a momma dog who was rescued from a high-kill shelter right after Hurricane Laura.

A very pregnant Millie was surrendered to a shelter in northeastern Louisiana right after Hurricane Laura hit. Her owner had passed away unexpectedly, and it was his aunt who made the tough decision to bring Millie in. It was simply too much to take on a momma dog and a litter of puppies with all the rebuilding that they were facing.

When our Rescue Partner from northeastern Texas arrived at the Louisiana shelter, their list did not include Millie. When they saw her, though, about two weeks away from giving birth, they knew that she was why they had packed an extra crate. They were thrilled when we told them we had room for her and would get her into a maternal foster home immediately.

Coincidentally, it was right around this time that Rowan and his family were talking about getting a puppy. Seven-year-old Rowan loves animals and wants to be a vet when he grows up.

His parents shared that Rowan was first diagnosed with leukemia when he was eighteen months old. Just three-and-a-half years later, however, he was considered cured. He spent two years cancer free, and then in March of this year, Rowan experienced a relapse.

The timing with COVID-19 was terrible, and Rowan unfortunately contracted the virus. He battled the virus for two months, and this significantly delayed the bone marrow transplant he needed. Finally, in July, Rowan received his much needed bone marrow transplant, but then he had to spend the next four months in the hospital dealing with complications that included his lungs and kidneys. He is still undergoing dialysis three times a week, but his family is hopeful that the damage is not permanent and he will reach a point of recovery where dialysis is no longer necessary.

Despite these challenges, Rowan is an optimistic kid who likes building with Legos and creating things. He loves Star Wars, dragons, and Greek mythology. His brother, Theo, is equally creative and wants to be a space chef who works in a spaceship on the moon and cooks for people.

Rowan and Theo’s parents reached out to Wright-Way Rescue at the end of this summer, right around the time of Hurricane Laura, to say that they would be ready for a puppy near the end of November. They told us the kind of puppy they were looking for, and Bear Necessities coordinated with us to pay the adoption fee.

Then, just days later, as if by design, there was a last minute cancellation for the reservation on one of Millie's sweetest puppies. We called Rowan’s family to see if they were interested, and they came the same day to meet him.

It was a match made in heaven. Theo named the puppy Jack, and both the boys were over the moon to have a dog of their very own.

The Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation is focused not only on funding cutting edge research but on “helping kids rediscover their childhood while we find a cure for pediatric cancer.” At Wright-Way Rescue, we know the importance of paying attention to the good things while you work to address the challenges.

2020 has been a year of incredible challenges, and there is no way we could have made it through without your support and encouragement. Thank you for donating to this work that not only saves the lives of animals but improves the lives of people.

Please consider making a tax-deductible, end-of-year gift to help us save the lives of so many more like Millie and Jack and bring joy to those like Rowan and his family.