Young Activist Creates Bow Ties For Shelter Dogs To Help Them Find Homes
By Mandy Froelich / Truth Theory
Imagine walking into your local animal shelter and seeing dozens of happy dogs, with wiggling butts, wearing bow ties. You’d have to adopt one on the spot, right? 12-year-old Darius Brown figured the attire would make dogs even more adorable, which is why he spends his time crafting bow ties for dogs that need forever homes.
According to VT, the preteen New Jersey native founded his very own organization, Beaux and Paws, which specializes in producing bow ties for shelter dogs. The goal is to catch the eye of potential owners.
“It helps the dog look noticeable, very attractive,” he told the Today Show. “It helps them find a forever, loving home… I love everything about dogs and cats.”
The activist’s backstory is quite compelling and explains his infatuation with creating bow ties for stray dogs. At the age of two, Darius was diagnosed with speech delay, comprehension delay, and a delay in fine motor skills. Because of this, his family felt the need to encourage a sense of creativity in the toddler.
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Four years ago, when sister Dazhai Brown-Shearz was studying at cosmetology school when she noticed Darius’s skill with the needle. The 8-year-old would often help his sister cut fabrics, sew, and make hair ribbons. His love of animals naturally led him to discover his entrepreneurial spirit and create bow ties for shelter pups.
“With his fine motor skills, he wasn’t able to really use his hands well — tying a shoe was challenging,” Dazhai told Today. “My mother and I came up with the idea that if he helped us with things like prepping the ribbon or cutting it, and sewing fabric together, it would help him. And it did — it worked!”
After practicing for some time, Darius began making a new bow tie to wear each day. “I wear bow ties all the time,” Darius said. “Literally everywhere I go, I wear a bow tie.”
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Before long, people he met on the street showed interest in purchasing his bow ties. That’s when the young entrepreneur knew he was onto something. Soon enough, Beaux and Paws was born.
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For every purchase, Darius make a donation to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals. The proceeds are used to purchase more fabric and further his efforts. Sometimes, the public makes donations toward his cause.
“The donations help a lot because we were just digging in our pockets, buying the fabric ourselves,” his mother told Today.
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Even former US President Barack Obama reached out to the young activist via a latter to commend him on his philanthropy:
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So far, Darius has made hundreds of bow ties and handed them out to animal shelters across the US. He is currently fundraising to produce and sell even more bowties.
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Written by: Amanda Froelich
I'm an RHN, chef, writer, activist, and entrepreneur who lives in Colorado. I share healthy plant-based recipes at Life in Bloom and cannabis-infused recipes at My Stoned Kitchen. Read More stories by Amanda Froelich Follow on Twitter
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