I Wish to Have...Rochelle's Story
"I wish to have an English bulldog puppy"
Five-year-old Rochelle has wanted a puppy for as long as her parents can remember. Her family had an English bulldog before she was born, and although Rochelle never met that dog, she often fawned over old photographs, telling the dog she loved it.
Yet puppies were far from the only thing on this little girl’s mind. In February 2008, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Both of her parents were out of work at the time, adding even more burden to the close-knit family of six. As Rochelle faced leukemia treatments and her family faced many uncertainties, talk of dogs could always make them smile. Last Christmas, Rochelle asked Santa to bring her a puppy. “She was disappointed when she didn’t get one Christmas morning,” Rochelle’s mom JoAnn said. “But money was tight, and we had to spread it out to get presents for all the kids.” But, as Rochelle learned, Santa is not the only one who can make wishes come true. In March, Rochelle, dressed in a new lavender satin dress and white gloves, found herself standing before a crowd of 300 at the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Michigan’s annual gala. Sparkly barrettes adorned her pixie black hair, which was beginning to grow back after chemotherapy. Her mom said it was the first night she’d gone out without a hat. The gala emcee, Grand Rapids TV personality Maranda, presented Rochelle with a dog toy, dog food dishes and an annual pass to the local zoo – each time asking her if that was her wish. At every turn, Rochelle shook her head and exclaimed “Pup-ee!” Finally, Maranda suggested Rochelle close her eyes and think about her heartfelt wish. When she opened them, there was her new English bulldog puppy, wriggling in her older sister’s arms as the crowd broke into gales of applause. When asked about the first thing she would do with her puppy, Rochelle responded, “I want to sleep with her in my bed. If she wants to go for a walk, I will take her for a walk, and if she wants to eat a doggie treat, I will give her one.” That answer seemed to suit Rochelle’s new friend, and she licked her face in agreement. Rochelle considered several different doggie names in the months leading up to her wish. Options included “Chihuahua,” and “Underdog.” But when she finally met the puppy of her dreams, a new name – the perfect name – came to her mind: Tinkerbell. When asked why she settled on that name, Rochelle responded brightly, as if the answer should be obvious to everyone. “It’s a beautiful name. And you have to pick a beautiful name for her because she’s a beautiful dog. Tinkerbell, I love you.” Click here to read the 2009 Summer Appeal featuring Rochelle's wish. (large file please be patient) All photos courtesy of Shutterbug Photography.
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Rochelle, 5, always wanted an English bulldog puppy, just like the one her family had before she was born. 
Her wish came true at the Make-A-Wish gala before a cheering crowd of 300 friends and supporters.
Rochelle named her new friend Tinkerbell. "A beautiful name for a beautiful dog."
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