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The latest Spike Lee joint, Highest 2 Lowest, had its big premiere at Cannes on Monday. But even though Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, and ASAP Rocky are the stars, all eyes were on the bombshell in the blue gown. Of course I’m talking about Fabulous Felicity, the Samoyed who accompanied her person Julia De Cadenet on the red carpet. (Oh, Rihanna was there too?) De Cadenet has a background in the French film industry, which is why she attends the festival frequently, but it’s her current work as an animal activist that brought her and Felicity together. In 2009, De Cadenet founded NoToDogMeat, an animal rescue that saves dogs from the meat market in China. Felicity was rescued from a slaughterhouse in 2018 — but not before the bastards cut off her tail — and became De Cadenet’s foster fail. And now she’s living her best life by De Cadenet’s side as an ambassador for NoToDogMeat, and trotting amongst celebrities at Cannes. I love a good rags to riches story.
Speaking with Express.co.uk in August 2024, De Cadenet shared that Felicity’s origins were much more humble. She shared that the Samoyed was rescued from China in 2018, in a slaughterhouse that she alleged was killing cats and dogs to be sold for meat.
Working alongside other activists form the U.K.-based charity she founded in 2009 — called World Protection for Dogs and Cats in the Meat Trade, or NoToDogMeat — De Cadenet told the British outlet that Felicity’s tail had been cut off in the slaughterhouse, but she and other rescuers were able to take 17 pets from the facility and safely transport them to a shelter in northern China.
“I brought her to France. Initially, she did have a home, but sadly when the person found out that she was missing her tail, she didn’t want her anymore,” De Cadenet said, sharing that she believed the Samoyed would only be living with her temporarily.
“She ended up with me and I used to say to her, because she’s very bossy, ‘You are not going to stay here, I’m going to find you a home,’” the activist added.
Now, more than six years later, Felicity is living the luxurious festival life, making appearances at the star-studded event in part due to De Cadenet’s background as a movie producer.
The pup is also serving an important role as a “campaign dog,” as De Cadenet has called her, as she helps to raise awareness about the pet meat trade and NoToDogMeat — as well as to help familiarize potential adopters with pets who have survived hardships like Felicity.
“This is what I have often found with adoptions of rescues, there are two types of people: There are the kind of people who say, ‘I’ll have any dog, I just want to give them a home and love,’ and they do,” she told Express.
“Then there are other people who really want a breed dog and they want a perfect dog,” she added. “Our dogs are not perfect, they are often missing limbs, eyes, tails, you know, they may not be perfect, and so they get rejected.”
According to De Cadenet, Felicity’s Cannes appearances also simply serve as “a bit of light-heartedness and great publicity for what we are doing, whereas normally we are walking among hell and suffering.”
“She loves to meet people she’s meeting and greeting everyone,” she added of her pup.
The indomitable spirit of a dog! I’m in pieces over Miss Felicity’s bravery; she survived a harrowing situation, yet had the wherewithal and self-love to say, “I deserve to be in my fabulous era, now!” And so she is. I also love how De Cadenet thought Felicity would be going off to another home, but Felicity was like, “Bitch please, I’m your new mascot and +1 at Cannes!” For maximum merriment, I highly recommend perusing this lady’s Instagram, @fabulous_felicity_. My current fave is this video of Felicity heading into Anne Fontaine for a dress fitting of that knockout blue number she’s been donning this year. Comparing this gown to the yellow one she wore last year, Felicity is definitely adhering to the festival’s new fashion rules about shorter train lengths. Now all we need are some paparazzi photos of Felicity in her designer duds, being escorted up the famous croisette steps by that dapper canine thespian — and Palm Dog winner — Messi, the Border Collie from Anatomy of a Fall. Let’s make it happen, folks.
Dog bless the special people at NoToDogMeat who are saving the lives of very good boys and girls in China. DoVe Project is another great organization that’s working to end the dog meat trade in South Korea. Long live our pups!
Felicity clearly has upstaged all her rivals in being awarded Best Dressed at Cannes! Coupling vibrant blue and yellow ruffled patterned gowns with her natural white long luxurious fur, the entire ensemble makes a bold statement of poise, strength, and class for the lovely four-legged fashionista. Accessories include squishy adorable face and pink hanging tongue — no need for this daring doggo to be bejeweled with Harry Winston diamonds with those natural adornments! 10/10 fashion success.
i think felicity is a knockout! living her best life.
What a lovely doggy Felicity is, and she looks stunning in her frock. Perfect in every way. The world does not deserve such loyal devotion! Thank goodness there are those who advocate for their fellow creatures’ welfare, they will have a special seat in the afterlife….if there is one.
It makes me sick what some people will subject animals to.
So glad this sweet dog is experiencing some love instead of torture.
What a beautiful walking ball of white fluff!!!