Heartwarming Moment: Make-A-Wish Delivers Dream Dog to Rantoul Boy

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In Rantoul, Illinois, a heartfelt moment unfolded this week as a local family experienced the joy of a Make-A-Wish dream coming true for their young son, Ezra. Despite facing the challenges of a rare and incurable condition affecting his brain and spinal cord, two-year-old Ezra’s radiant smile has always been a source of warmth and cheer.

Thanks to the efforts of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ezra has now welcomed a special companion into his life—an affectionate four-legged friend who promises to be by his side through thick and thin.

“Norman picked us, and Norman picked Ezra,” shared Ashley Thornton, Ezra’s mother, recounting the touching moment when they met their new family member. Indeed, it was a connection that seemed destined, as the puppy, Norman, instantly bonded with Ezra, signaling the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

On the day they picked up Norman, the pup’s unwavering attachment to Ezra and the family was clear. Norman’s reluctance to part from them sealed the decision, making it evident that he was meant to be Ezra’s loyal companion.

“GM1 gangliosidosis is a rare, terminal neurological disease,” Thornton said. “So, over time it just deteriorates everything.”

Ezra has Type 2.

“Children with that type typically don’t live past their fifth birthday, and Ezra will be three in January. With the decline that we’ve seen in the past month, we’re not sure if we have that long,” Thornton said.

However, they will be making the most of every single second, hoping to bring as much joy to their son as he does to them.

“He enjoys singing, when we sing to him. He loves music,” Thornton said.

Ezra also loves his siblings so much — and his siblings love him right back.

“For him to be able to smile when he sees me and when he gets in the car, he’s always laughing and kicking his legs and looking at me. It just makes me so happy,” Ezra’s sister Kendall said.

Thornton said that choosing a wish was tough to narrow down, but Norman turned out to be more than they hoped for.

“It’s something that stays constant in Ezra’s life, and unfortunately, after Ezra is no longer with us, this is something that will be constant for the whole family,” Thornton said.

Ezra found a way to show them they made the right choice when they first picked Norman up.

“Ezra doesn’t cognitively know how to pet a dog or know what it is to apply pressure or how to do it in the correct way. Ezra laid his hand on Norman and just started petting him in the most gentle, loving, caring way,” his mom shared.

Because sometimes, the greatest wish isn’t what you ask for, it’s the love that finds you.

Thornton also said that Make-A-Wish didn’t just cover Norman’s fees, but they’re paying for his training. Her goal is for their new puppy to be a therapy dog, to help more kids like Ezra.