We Hit Our Goal! Thank You for Supporting Our Anti-Cruelty Fundraiser!

I always say I started this business because of our dog, Khaleesi. She was the boss babe in charge of everything, and I was her obedient servant 😆 On July 8, 2026, it will be two years since she suddenly crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Losing her crushed me, and changed me in ways I still struggle to explain. She was comfort, presence, sassy confidence, unconditional love, and our whole world all wrapped into one soul.

And, it really is incredible because Edgar adopted her when she was about 1 year old. She was nervous, had severe separation anxiety, the shelter she had been at said she was untrainable.

Edgar spent hours a day, and months on end training her, taking her to classes, helping her feel safe and slowly her confidence grew. He has so many stories of those early years: how the shelter was supposed to bring her by for a house visit but just left her there with him, how she tore up the sub floors in his rental apartment when he ran to the grocery store for 20 minutes, and the first time he took her swimming she just kept going so he had to jump into the lake with his clothes on to get her 🤣 

I met her when she was 5 years old, and absolutely perfect. She will always be my first child (yes, I’m that kind of dog mom). It’s hard for me to even call her a dog. She always knew when someone needed love, company, mama doggin’, a nap (with her snorlaxing powers), or a good game of tough guy (holding her toy while she tugged it). She was constantly learning new things. She lived with my mother in law for a few years, and when she suddenly passed away, Khaleesi came to live with us in the city. A brand new place, and she absolutely thrived in our vibrant Bucktown neighborhood. In fact, she became a local celebrity and had many boyfriends (human and dog alike).

 After losing her, I found myself wanting to create experiences, and products that could help others feel even a fraction of the comfort animals give us so naturally. I hosted a grief retreat with a friend at their horse ranch to process the grief of multiple deaths between us, Edgar and I created a Remembrance Candle (which I still make and sell to this day), and now I have started making space to donate time and money to shelters and other non-profits that help dogs in shelters. I see her in all of them.  I can’t imagine her sitting in a kennel at a shelter or rescue and not on one of her 4 dog beds or couch at home.

That’s a huge part of why this fundraiser meant so much to me.

Last weekend, our community showed up in such a beautiful way. 💜

Thanks to every single person who purchased a candle, shared the fundraiser, stopped by the shop, or placed a last-minute online order, we officially sold 37 candles during our Anti-Cruelty fundraiser (our goal was 35!!).

Because of your support, we were able to donate $299.38 to the Anti-Cruelty Society, including processing fees covered through purchases. 30% of profits from the fundraiser went directly toward helping animals in need.

What started as a candle fundraiser became something so much bigger: people coming together through small acts of kindness, community, and intention.

One of the most emotional parts of this journey has been realizing how deeply people connect to the mission behind both my companies: Astra & Arrow and Busy Body Retreats. From the candles to the sound baths I donate for shelter dogs, so much of this work is rooted in honoring Khaleesi’s memory and creating moments of comfort, calm, and care for both people and animals.

Candles have always been about creating atmosphere, warmth, and presence for me, but this fundraiser was also a reminder that something as simple as buying a candle can create a real ripple effect.

And yes… there’s still a little stock left from our Summer Tarot Candle Collection. ✨ The new scents launched during the fundraiser are still available while supplies last.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting both a small business and animals in need. 🕯️🐶

Thank you for helping us turn grief into something loving, healing, and meaningful.