Puppies Are a Girl’s Best Friend

Make-A-Wish® Connecticut granted five-year-old Vada Shapiro’s wish to have a mini golden retriever puppy.

A dog often makes kids’ Christmas and birthday “wish” lists. It topped the list of five-year-old Vada, too. But Vada was not waiting for Santa to make her wish come true. She asked Make-A-Wish Connecticut, and that gift was granted in the form of a brand-new golden retriever puppy named Penny.

Animal lover Vada has been battling a nervous system disorder, but the positive impact of her wish was clear before Penny even arrived. As soon as the Make-A-Wish process began, Vada was no longer focusing on how sick she was and could only think about Penny’s upcoming arrival! Vada was soon busy preparing a list of all the things Penny would need, as well as downloading pet simulator games on her iPad to learn how to take care of the new addition to her family.

When the two met for the very first time, they were unable to contain their excitement. Vada could be seen giggling gleefully while Penny wagged her tail uncontrollably. Best of all, Penny was of course given a bright pink collar, Vada’s favorite color.

Penny is very important in Vada and her whole family’s lives. Mom Aliza shares that “having something that is Vada’s and that she loves has brought her such joy. Penny is so gentle and loving with her – it’s like she gets it.” And having a puppy has helped Vada improve physically as well. “Playing with Penny gets Vada up, moving around and using her muscles she wouldn’t have ordinarily used, especially playing tug. Her physical therapist says Vada is getting stronger.”

When asked, Vada says that, “the best part of having Penny is I love her. We play and take naps together.” Penny and Vada go everywhere together. And when Penny gets tuckered out, Vada is known to sing her a lullaby before they both cuddle up together for a sweet nap.

Special thanks to Quality Subaru for adopting Vada’s wish and to Taylormade Miniature Golden Retrievers and Only Chips for creating HOPE when it’s needed most!

Make-A-Wish is in the business of delivering hope, and hope has never been more important than now for our wish kids. It can be difficult to continue to hope when we have had so many dreams deferred due circumstances beyond our control, but the moment we have something to look forward to, everything begins to change. Hope is a superpower that kids living with critical illness, like Vada, have been tapping into long before many of us heard the word, “lockdown.” Helping more kids find hope is something we all have the power to do, because for these children—as for all of us—the promise of a wish is so much more than a temporary escape. It’s a wellspring of strength to keep fighting for better days. Hope is essential for children living with critical illnesses and you can unlock its transformative power today. Don’t wait for hope; create it! Donate now at ct.wish.org.