August 10, 2021

Dear Small Pawsers,

If you missed yesterday’s newsletter, please read it. It is below.

     

We have this “Thank You” Note from our Volunteer Foster Mom, Elizabeth French, Ella’s Mom.

Your love and support for Ella’s life and memory, came from as far as France. Robin

“Love and Support”

On Aug 10, 2021, at 10:58 AM, “E. French” <lizbethannk@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear Small Paws Family:

 

There is no way I can express my gratitude for the outpouring of support for my beloved daughter Ella.  Ella and I are honored by your loving and generous spirits.  Thank you is not adequate, but I say the words anyway from both of us.  We also ask you to keep her partner in your prayers.

 

God bless you all.

Ella and Elizabeth French

_____________________________________________________________________

Dear Small Pawsers,

I come to you today with a broken heart.

In the last newsletter, I told you about one of our long time volunteers, Elizabeth French, in Illinois, who is fostering little “Bamboo”, our recent amputee. She’s also fostering another of our Bichons, “Kona”.

Early Sunday Morning I got a call from Bonnie Ferguson, our Director of Adoptions.

Bonnie had just spoken to Sara Rhodes, our Team Leader for Il.

Bonnie told me that on Saturday night, Elizabeth French’s daughter, Ella French, a Chicago Police Officer, had been shot and killed during a routine traffic stop.

I just spoke with Elizabeth, (Lizbethannk@yahoo.com) Ella’s Mom, and she wanted me to tell you some things about her beautiful 29 year old daughter, Ella French.

But first, I want to show some pictures and media articles .  

Chicago officer Ella French shot dead, another officer critically wounded during traffic stop

 

Who Was Officer Ella French? What We Know About the Officer Killed in the Line of Duty

 

Chicago mourns fallen Officer Ella French; 3 suspects in West Englewood shooting in custody

 

But this is how we knew Ella best. These were Elizabeth’s Bichons, both of whom she lost this past year.

Ella’s Mom just sent this picture for me to share with all of you of her beautiful daughter loving on her Bichons. The text said “All my babies.”

Both Ella and her older brother, Andrew, were single parent adoptions. Elizabeth raised them on her own.

‘God took the wrong kid.’ Brother of slain officer Ella French speaks about younger sister; second cop fighting for his life.

Ella was an extraordinary person who loved animals and people.

On one of her first calls as a Police Officer, she found six abandoned puppies. Of course she brought them back to the precinct with her and all found homes.

This one, “Bella” found a home with Ella.

On several occasions, Ella would babysit her Mom’s Small Paws Rescue Fosters, if Elizabeth needed to go out of town.

Ella was one of us. She loved animals like we do.

She loved people, too. Always going out of her way to do the right thing, even when no one was looking.

Sadly, this is not the first time we have suffered such a loss and there is an uncanny connection.

Do you remember David Dorn, who was shot and killed in St. Louis last summer while defending his friend’s pawn shop during the riots?  

Retired St. Louis Police captain killed after responding to a pawnshop alarm during looting

David Dorn and his wife Ann were Small Pawsers. Ann still is.

Their first of two Small Paws Bichons was fostered by, unbelievably, Ella’s Mom, Elizabeth French.

I asked Elizabeth is she wanted us to move her two Foster Bichons, Bamboo and Kona. But since she had lost her last two Bichons, she told me that these two give her such comfort, so those boys are staying put for now.

Elizabeth just told me she is going to Mass and meeting with the Priest. She said she can’t believe she is going to be planning a funeral for her daughter. Her daughter knew our Lord and He knew her.

I asked Elizabeth if there was anything at all we could do for her.

She said there are two things.

First, she asked for prayers for Ella’s Partner and his family, who is in ICU in very critical condition, fighting for his life. 

Next, she told me she wanted to honor her daughter by asking you, that if you so feel led, to make a donation to Small Paws in Ella French’s name. She said Ella would have liked that.

This is how to do that and we will notify Elizabeth of each one that comes in, in honor of her precious Ella. I know all of our hearts are broken. At times like this all I know to do is pray. Robin

 

How To Donate! We Now Take Paypal Through Text, As Well As All Major Credit Cards!

We have also now added Text-to-Donate feature! It’s simple and secure. You can use any major credit card as well as Google Pay and PAYPAL! Text the number 44321 (how easy is THAT number to remember?!) and type the letters SPR ( all capitals) in the message area. A secure link will come up with simple instructions. After that, you can text a donation of any amount to Small Paws anytime without filling out your information again! We hope you enjoy the ease and security of Text-to-Donate, to help the Bichons!

Humphrey Sisco