Findlay Subaru Prescott Hosts “Puppy Wish Party” to Surprise Local Wish Kid with Her Dream Dachshund

There were smiles, tears, wagging tails, and plenty of puppy kisses as Findlay Subaru Prescott and Make-A-Wish® Arizona hosted a special Wish Day Puppy Party to celebrate the wish of 13-year-old Mea from Cottonwood coming true.

Surrounded by family, friends, community supporters, and special guests, Mea experienced the moment she had been patiently waiting for: meeting her wish puppy, a dachshund, in real life for the very first time.

The celebration transformed Findlay Subaru Prescott into part birthday party and part puppy shower, complete with some of Mea’s favorite foods from Raising Cane’s, cake pops, candy and a room filled with gifts from Walmart to help her welcome her newest family member. Guests gathered to celebrate as Mea opened presents packed with puppy essentials, providing everything she and her family need to begin life with their new four-legged companion.

One of the most emotional moments of the day came when the breeder, The Bearded Companions – Raised by Laura C. shared a remarkable story behind Mea’s puppy.

The breeder revealed that their family had originally planned to keep the puppy as their own. However, after hearing from Make-A-Wish Arizona’s Wish Coordinator Corey Richardson about Mea’s wish and the urgent need for a replacement puppy due to unforeseen complications and delays involving another puppy, they knew they could make a difference.

Laura and her family, including their three young children, discussed the decision together and unanimously agreed that the puppy belonged with Mea.

For a time, Mea believed she might have to give up on her wish altogether. But thanks to the dedication and perseverance of her Make-A-Wish team, the generosity of Laura and her family, and the support of community partners, her wish was brought back to life.

Photo: (Left to right) Lori Padilla, Volunteer Wish Coordinator; Wish Mom, Lindsay; Wish Kid, Mea; Wish Dad, Joe; Mea’s Brother, Casey; Vicki Fiorelli, Make-A-Wish Arizona the moment Mea met her Wish Puppy the first time.)

As Mea met her puppy for the first time, family members, volunteers, and guests shared in the excitement as two new best friends were finally introduced.

The moment was especially emotional for Laura and her family, who admitted saying goodbye to the puppy they had expected to keep was not easy. Yet seeing Mea’s reaction affirmed they had made the right choice.

“Seeing how much this puppy means to Mea made it all worthwhile,” said Laura. “We have absolutely no regrets. Our children were able to see firsthand how meaningful it can be to give to someone else and how rewarding it is to help make a wish come true.”

For Laura’s children, the experience became an important lesson in generosity, compassion, and selflessness. What began as a difficult family decision ultimately became an opportunity to demonstrate the profound impact a simple act of giving can have on another person’s life.

“It was worth every minute of waiting,” said Wish Kid, Mea, “I am going to keep the name the family gave her and call her, Barbie.”

Findlay Subaru Prescott partnered with Make-A-Wish® Arizona to create a memorable celebration that honored not only the wish itself, but also the journey leading up to this very special day. The event reflected Subaru’s Love Promise commitment to supporting the community and creating meaningful moments for local families facing extraordinary challenges.

“At Findlay Subaru Prescott, we believe in the power of community and the importance of creating moments of joy,” said Kara Hartman, Marketing Director for Findlay Subaru Prescott. “Watching Mea finally meet the puppy she had waited so patiently for was incredibly moving. We are honored to partner with Make-A-Wish Arizona and all our generous community partners to help make wishes come true.”

The event was made possible through the support and collaboration of numerous organizations and volunteers who helped transform the dealership into a celebration worthy of a wish come true.

Special Thanks

Findlay Subaru Prescott extends its gratitude to:

• Make-A-Wish® Arizona
• Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
• The Bearded Companions – Raised by Laura C.
• Walmart for Pet Supplies

Together, these organizations helped create an unforgettable experience for Mea and her family.

A special thank you is extended to The Bearded Companions – Raised by Laura C. for their extraordinary generosity and compassion. Their family made the selfless decision to place a puppy they had originally planned to keep into Mea’s loving home after learning of her wish. Their willingness to put another family’s joy ahead of their own created an opportunity for Mea’s wish to come true and provided a meaningful lesson in kindness and giving for their three young children.

Photo: Kara Hartman, Findlay Subaru Prescott; Wish Kid, Mea; Vicki Fiorelli, Make-A-Wish Arizona

This Wish Day Puppy Party marks the third Make-A-Wish® Arizona celebration hosted by Findlay Subaru Prescott. Previous Wish Send-Off Parties honored local Wish Kids whose wishes included life-changing trips to Disney and Italy. Through its ongoing partnership with Make-A-Wish Arizona, the dealership remains committed to helping bring hope, strength, and joy to children and families throughout northern Arizona.

About Findlay Subaru Prescott

Findlay Subaru Prescott proudly serves Prescott and surrounding communities while supporting local organizations through Subaru’s Love Promise initiative, which focuses on making a positive difference in the areas of community, health, education, pets, and the environment.

About Make-A-Wish® Arizona 

Make-A-Wish Arizona grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Together with generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers, Make-A-Wish delivers hope and joy to children and their families when they need it most. Make-A-Wish brings the power of wishing to every child with a critical illness because wish experiences can help improve emotional and physical health. Founded in Arizona in 1980, Make-A-Wish Arizona has granted more than 9,000 wishes in the local community, contributing to the more than 650,000 wishes granted worldwide; with more than 4000,000 wishes in the U.S. and its territories alone. With 57 chapters nationwide, Make-A-Wish is the most trusted nonprofit operating locally across 50 states. For more information about Make-A-Wish Arizona, visit arizona.wish.org.