Barkus Queen XXIX
Queen Mabel Bell
Her Majesty XXIX, Queen Mabel Bell, an adorable Chihuahua mix, was once a homeless puppy in a rural shelter in west Louisiana. She had medical issues, and a terrible eye infection, which made her a bad candidate for adoption. There was nothing in her life then that would foretell of her good fortune when her mother, Ann Bell who founded Southern Animal Foundation in New Orleans, came to her rescue.
Many tests and visits to veterinarians and specialists revealed that she had no tear ducts, thus the cause of her eye issues. After numerous surgeries and multiple, daily medications, her eyes now have a healthy shine and the natural dark eyeliner-like shading around them creates a dramatic look rivaling Revlon makeup models.
Queen Mabel spends her days working with her mom at the Southern Animal Foundation, where she likes to visit with people only after she has determined their nature is acceptable, which is evidence of her high emotional IQ. She has no time for idle chitchat because she does like her power naps and beauty sleep, too.
Queen Mabel recently completed her Royal dress fitting, complete with her crown. She said, “Now I know how Queen Elizabeth feels. Like her, I have accepted my duties in service to the Barkus Crown and that will be my priority for all my days. It is amazing to know that I will forever be one of the few to be a Canine Queen of Carnival, reigning when Barkingham Palace was open to all commoner dogs parading in 2022.