In Springfield, Illinois, a young boy named Xander Mellor had a big dream. He was just six years old, but he knew exactly what he wanted – a puppy all of his own. For a long time, 18 whole months, Xander saved every bit of money he could find. He didn’t know that his grandma was about to surprise him and make his dream come true in the most wonderful way.
Xander’s Dream
Xander had one wish, and it was to have a cute little puppy as his best buddy. He worked hard to make his dream a reality, never spending his money on anything else. Every single coin Xander got his hands on went straight into his piggy bank. Even his mom, Natalie Ellenburg, pitched in. She would give Xander the change from her pockets when she got home from work. Xander would always be polite and thanked her as he saved each penny for his puppy fund.
A Surprise in the Making
But here’s something Xander didn’t know: his grandparents had heard all about his big wish for a puppy. They decided they were going to do something super special for him. They thought, “Why wait when we can give Xander the surprise of his life now?” So, they planned a big secret surprise. And when they finally came to Springfield, they did not come empty-handed.
The Big Surprise
The day arrived when Xander’s grandparents came to visit, and he was bouncing with joy. Xander heard there was a surprise waiting and he was bubbling with excitement. As their car pulled up, he ran outside, trying to guess what the surprise could be.
Xander’s mom told him to close his eyes really tight and not to peek. His grandpa and grandma stepped out, and they had Xander reach out his hands. He was probably thinking, “Maybe it’s candy, or maybe a new toy car.” But nope! When he opened his eyes, there it was—a fluffy, wiggly puppy just for him.
Tears of Happiness
The moment Xander realized he was holding a real live puppy, he was so happy that he started to cry big, happy tears. He hugged his new puppy, who he named “Marshmallow,” so tight and couldn’t stop smiling. Marshmallow was more than just candy or toys; he was a dream come true.
Best Friends Forever

From that day on, Xander and Marshmallow were inseparable. They played fetch, went on walks, and even snuggled up together for naps. Xander’s puppy dream wasn’t just a wish anymore; it was real life, and it was even better than he had ever imagined.
