Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/boy-makes-bow-ties-for-shelter-dogs/

When most of us think about people who help dogs in need, our thoughts automatically go to large animal rescue organizations.

Although that may be true in many cases, there are plenty of individuals who do their part. That includes a 14-year-old entrepreneur who founded Beaux & Paws.

Sir Darius Brown is the young man who got that business off the ground and it is in a very unusual niche. He creates and sells bow ties for dogs, but he does much more than what appears above the surface. Along with selling the bow ties on his website, he also donates bow ties to help dogs in animal shelters. After all, who could resist adopting a dog in such a snazzy getup?

When Brown spoke with This Dog’s Life, he said: “A bow tie is something so small that can make a huge impact, or it can catch a person’s eye. I want to help the dogs, so they can look more noticeable.”

At this point, we might have a pre-conceived idea about Brown, including who he is and what he does. Very few people would guess, however, that he had a difficult start in life. When he was 2 years old, he was diagnosed with delays in his speech, motor skills, and comprehension.

Rather than letting it keep him from achieving his goals, he pushed forward and found his calling. When he was 8-years-old, he saw his sister making hair bows and wanted to help. In fact, he thought that cutting the fabric could help him with his motor skills.

Not only was he able to cut the fabric, but he also started sewing bow ties and the rest is history. His mother feels like it was “meant to be” because his sister learned how to sew from their grandmother.

In 2017, Brown saw the destruction that occurred with Hurricane Harvey and Irma. It included the dogs that were left homeless, and he knew he needed to do something about it. After mulling it over for a few days, he had an idea of donating bow ties to help dogs get adopted.

Shortly after that happened, he went with his sister to the New York ASPCA shelter to donate some boy dies. He also learned that many shelter dogs are euthanized every day because the shelters are so crowded. With that knowledge in mind, he decided to do his part and began donating bow ties to shelters across the nation. He has even donated some to shelters in the UK.

Brown struggles with keeping everything organized, but according to This Dog’s Life, he says: “I guess I had to sacrifice some things here and there, but it’s all going to be worth it in the long run.”

Last year, Brown made the decision to donate bow ties to shelters in every state. His “PAW-some Mission” has been supported by his followers on Instagram. The pandemic has made it necessary to limit his visits to the shelters but he has done what he is able to do. He even makes cloth masks now and donates them to hospital workers.

We don’t often think about 14-year-olds as being this industrious but it just proves that, when you put your mind to something, anything is possible.

We look forward to seeing what this young man is able to accomplish in the coming years.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog