Young cancer patient gets puppy from Santa

Five-year-old Connor Hedge, a House Creek Elementary kindergarten student battling a brain tumor called neuroblastoma, received a surprise special delivery on Tuesday afternoon.

 

The biggest item on his gift list has been a puppy, and Connor has asked his parents for a puppy for months now, even putting in a request to Santa.

 

Connor’s parents, Rob and Kristen Hedge, wanted to make his Christmas special but they knew they needed a low/non-shedding dog.

 

They scoured local shelters in the area before finding a puppy at just the right age and breed, called a shepadoodle, all the way in Michigan.

 

After the seven-week-old puppy arrived at the Killeen airport Tuesday, the young pup had a quick freshening up at the Doggie Day Spa, then headed on her way to meet her new owner.

 

The puppy, named Piper, has a lot to learn like all puppies do but she will eventually become a therapy dog that can accompany Connor to treatments and to the hospital.

 

Santa delivered Piper straight to Connor’s arms on Tuesday, much to the delight of Connor and his three-year-old sister, Lily.

 

Connor was all smiles and a bit speechless at the sight of seeing Santa carrying the puppy into his home on Tuesday.

 

Serving as one of Santa’s elves was Larea Gamble, Connor’s principal. The teachers, staff and Connor’s fellow students have embraced Connor and his family with support, as has the entire school district.

 

The Hedge family came to the Fort Hood area in July and made their home in Copperas Cove, having been at Fort Lee, Va., all while Connor has received treatment.

 

Connor is still waging a battle, but he will receive some much-loved support from his new furball on four legs. The Hedge family gives regular updates about Connor’s progress on social media at the site Connorstrong-Knocking Out Neuroblastoma at www.facebook.com/Connorstrongbeatingneuroblastoma.

 

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