Canine couples join the wedding march

By Elizabeth Lillis
DOGS will be tying the knot as part of the Valentine’s Day celebrations at a pet concept store in Narre Warren.
Pets at Home managing director David Herman said the store liked to offer something a bit different to its customers.
It will make a pet wedding package available for the first time on February 14 and the weekend following Valentine’s Day.
Mr Herman said society had humanised pets, and people wanted to express their love for their animals in many different ways.
“It is a bit of fun and romance,” he said.
“People love their pets and often feel their dogs are in love.”
Mr Herman said the ceremony would have all the trimmings of a human big day despite the service not being carried out by an official celebrant.
Made-to-order wedding outfits will arrive this Friday from Queensland, wedding vows are being prepared, invitations are available to give to guests, and the couple will be presented with a marriage certificate and photographic memento at the ceremony.
“Instead of rings, we have matching ID tags and the dogs receive Hills Science Diet food as a gift from us,” he said.
Mr Herman said bookings have been received for Valentine’s Day and the following weekend.
“People have been a little concerned about their animals misbehaving but it is a quick ceremony as the dogs don’t have the patience to sit for long,” Mr Herman said.
After the wedding a reception will be held with a wedding cake specially prepared so the dogs can eat a piece.
Mr Herman said the wedding package had provoked curiosity in the store.
“We are expecting there will be a few on-lookers on the day,” he said.
Part of the proceeds of the wedding packages will be donated to Assistance Dogs Australia, which provides trained dogs to assist people in wheelchairs.
Mr Herman said each Pets at Home store would sponsor its own assistance dog.