A mitzvah project for local kids.
Nathan Leibovitz and his dog Bella
Nathan Leibovitz, 12, of Birmingham has a dog named Bella. She’s a 4-year-old cavapoo that came to the family when his sister Julia, 16, convinced his parents it was a good idea.
“We usually sit somewhere on the couches,” he says of his pastime with his canine companion. “We play a lot: Fetch.”
He says he likes pets and believes they shouldn’t be out on the streets but rather taken care of and living in a good home. That’s why for his bar mitzvah project, he’s helping make foster bags for incoming dogs. In the bags are everything a foster dog would need, from food to a blanket to toys, a leash and a collar. They’re also planning on making healthy dog biscuits and selling them as a fundraiser for Almost Home.
It’ll be a big help, given the needs of the up to 80 dogs arriving once a month, says Lauren Anchill of Farmington Hills, who runs the rescue with her mom. Her son, Spencer, is working with Leibovitz on the project ahead of his October bar mitzvah as well.
Spencer Anchill says he’s excited to help make and sell dog cookies as a fundraiser to help his family’s animal rescue, Almost Home.
“Dogs and pets are important to me because I have had them in my life forever,” he says. “Like my parents, I also like helping animals in need.”
He says he hopes to sell at least 30 bags so he can donate $150 to help buy more food, collars, leashes, beds and toys for the animal. And they’ll be posting on social media pages so people already interested in animal rescue will know about it and buy cookies, he adds. “I hope that after this fundraiser project, I will learn more about how to raise money for things that are important.”
Meanwhile, his dogs, 4-year-olds Minnie and Fred, love to play and cuddle, he says. “When I come home, they are excited to see me.”
