Juan Lopez recently had his wish granted: The nine-year-old Lake Orion boy received a Havanese puppy of his own, courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Family of Pets in Summit Place Mall.
Juan, 9, is battling Coronary Artery Disease. He and his family, parents Rosa and Jose and sister Ruby, were all on hand for the big day, as they picked up their new family member on Nov. 10.
Juan’s wish for a puppy stems from the third-grader’s love of all animals.
While walking through the mall, and in fact walking past the very pet store that eventually granted his wish, his eyes would grow big as saucers as he saw the puppies in the window.
Juan would turn to his parents and say he wanted one of the puppies for his very own, so he could sleep with it and take it for walks.
Family of Pets donated a Havanese puppy to fit Juan’s dream image of his pet being ‘white and fluffy.?
‘Family of Pets has gone over, above and beyond in helping to grant Juan’s wish,? said Susan Lerch, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan.
‘It is a privilege and an honor to bring individuals like Juan and his family together with companies like Family of Pets and grow our Make-A-Wish family,? she said.
Concerned that the Lopez family have everything needed to take care of Juan’s new male Havanese puppy, Family of Pets also donated or helped secure a health protection plan, free vet care for illnesses for 30 days, and birth defect protection from Family of Pets.
The store also donated training crate, bed, brush, shampoo, stain remover, training pads, toys, collar and leash.
Also donated was 12 vouchers for dog food (which should last about two years), training treats, private obedience training sessions, K-9 Hidden Fence containment system and orientation lessons from Hidden Fence.
The donations total $3,637.
Juan arrived with his family at Summit Place Mall in a limo, and they attended a special party arranged as part of his receiving the puppy.