Wish Dad Perspective
Wish Dad Isidro shares about his son’s wish for his very own canine companion, and all the joy and hope it has brought to his family.
"When you see my 11-year-old son, Isaac, today you see a vibrant boy who loves animals – especially dogs. But what you don’t see is the long road he has traveled the past few years to get here.
In the fall of 2019, Isaac’s cheek started twitching. Then things progressed, and he started having stroke-like symptoms.
We knew something wasn’t OK.
An MRI of his brain revealed a brain tumor.
Can you imagine? A brain tumor on your nine-year-old child.
We were immediately sent to Seattle Children’s Hospital where he was diagnosed with a category 4 aggressive brain tumor.
As a parent, when I heard this news, I thought: What? How did this happen to our boy?
Shortly after diagnosis, our family went to Seattle where Isaac underwent brain surgery. The doctors were thankfully able to completely remove the tumor, and the surgeon told us he didn’t think it was cancerous... and we were so relieved.
We thought the worst might be behind us, and Isaac and our family could focus on healing from the whole ordeal.
But then… just when we thought Isaac was done, we received a call back with the sad news that it was aggressive cancer and Isaac would need chemo and radiation or else the cancer would surely come back.
It’s hard enough to hear this news about your son; we also learned that all treatment would have to take place in Seattle.
Our family had to pack up our life and move to Seattle for at least 6 months.
And this was early 2020, right as the COVID pandemic was beginning.
Our life was completely turned upside down.
Together as a family, we tackled the challenges and Isaac fought through chemo and radiation. What was amazing about the whole experience was this: Isaac was so resilient and brave.
He found comfort by doing his art… playing with his little brother Jacob… and leaning on family and our faith to guide him.
One other thing made an incredible difference for Isaac: his wish.
Isaac and pomsky pup Toby
When Isaac first learned he’d receive a wish, he was so happy. He knew what he wanted: his very own dog. Just thinking about a dog brought him great joy. He had always loved animals, and the thought of having his own dog provided a source of light during a dark time.
While he was in the hospital, Isaac researched the kind of dog he’d like to have—and he daydreamed about life after treatment when he could return to regular life… With a new doggy best friend.
Isaac communicated with his wish granters to brainstorm about the kind of dog he’d like to have. His wish coordinator, Amy, sent him some photos of possible dogs. When Isaac received the picture of Toby, he knew right away.
Toby was the one!
It was love at first sight.
Isaac and his little brother Jacob counted the days until this little pomsky pup joined our family.
On the day that Toby was delivered to our house, it’s impossible to describe the joy that Isaac experienced. Toby is just exactly the companion that Isaac needed.
It has been an unexpected journey to this stage today. I never imagined I’d be a wish dad… that we as a family would have been called to such hard times."
Wrapped in the comfort of our tight family and faith, and with the joy that comes from a wish, our family is strong today.
Wish Dad Isidro
We’re so grateful to all the incredible people whose generosity made his wish come true, including Basin Feed & Supply and Paws Natural Emporium; wish-granting volunteers Cecile Morales Blois and Jeffery Judson-Baker; and professional photographer and wish dad, Mark Cornellison of Lama Glama Photo and Retouch.
You can help make wishes come true for other children like Isaac when you become a volunteer.