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A New Companion For An Inspiring Young Man
Fourteen-year-old Isaac West is a strong young man and an inspiration to the community.
Even so, there are times when a youthful cancer survivor has a down day or just isn’t feeling well.
During those times, Isaac turned to Casper, a faithful dog who was always there for him. Sadly, Casper died in early April, leaving Isaac and his whole family upset over the loss of a special buddy.
The son of Casey and James West of Gatewood, Isaac was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 4. After a long process of treatments, hospital stays and sickness, he was declared cancer free.
A few years later, his illness returned but he was able to recover again. Today, Isaac is stable but still goes for injections and is forced to deal with many issues from the experiences of having cancer and all the treatments.
After word spread about the loss of Casper, a post on social media reached out to the community to search for a new dog. Isaac had finally started talking about wanting another dog and was interested in a Labradoodle.
It didn’t take long for a solution. The post was made on a Saturday and the need was met the following Monday thanks to Hadley Hollow Doodles, a breeding kennel near Ellsinore.
Owners Stephanie and Mike Hadley were moved by Isaac’s story. They not only understood the role dogs play in comforting people but they had a Labradoodle puppy ready for a new home.
Isaac and his family quickly made the trip to Ellsinore. It was an emotional moment for everyone as Isaac’s smile beamed while meeting his new friend, LeRoy.
The community pulled together to have a ‘puppy shower,’ sending gifts and money for LeRoy.
The family of Isaac West and those in the community who offered support wish to thank Stephanie and Mike Hadley of Hadley Hollow Doodles. To learn more about them see their Facebook page or call 573-300-3609.