Oblige the Royal Patronage of HRH Isobel Bonnotte
This past November, I had my first encounter with royalty.
After years - decades! - of caring for dogs belonging to others, the lack of companionship during a heartbreakingly lonely year was acutely noticeable. All my canine friends, with whom I'd visit for a weekend, a week, a month, were all safely at home with their owners, locked down with the rest of us. A friend recruited me to foster with the Anti-Cruelty Society. "How perfect!" we thought, as I'd had so much practice with the temporality of dogsitting. There was a little potato with kennel cough that needed particular care; she wasn't thriving in the shelter, and so she came home with me and moved right on to my sofa.
The needs and programs of animal shelters have changed with every other aspect of our lives this past year. The Anti-Cruelty Society pivoted to a greater focus on fostering programs, for the greater benefit of the animals and to keep their in-house staffing needs to a minimum. In 2020, ACS provided over a half-million free meals to animals and their families experiencing food insecurity. All the while, ACS still provides low-cost adoptions for seniors and low- and no-cost neutering services - as well as community engagement, free pet behavioral advice, and shelter to every animal in need, every day of the year. The Anti-Cruelty Society has been building a more humane Chicago for people and pets since they were founded in 1899 and any contribution helps further their mission as it adapts to the world 122 years later.
It turned out the little potato ward I'd ended up with just needed some rest, relaxation, and a throne of any soft piece of furniture around. Belle - or, as she formally responds to, Her Royal Highness Isobel Bonnotte - turned out to be an absolute princess, happy to court any new best friend she can find.
For every contribution to the Royal Patronage of HRH Isobel Bonnote, you'll be rewarded!
Every level: a paw-written Thank You card from the Princess Herself!
$25: an 8"x10" glossy photo of Her Royal Highness, signed by Belle Herself!
$50: an 8'x10" signed glossy photo, with a mask that coordinates with her photo!
$150: a custom-dyed pet shirt and matching bandana by fiber artist and friend of royalty, Deirdre Hamill Squiers
$200: A Date with the Princess! Escorted by her fully-vaccinated Lady-In-Waiting at a pre-approved dog-friendly location!
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