And They Call It Puppy Love ... PETsMART.com's Dog Wedding
by Nina Gregory

The elegant Beverly Hills Hotel, where the rich and famous have romanced and rendezvoused in private poolside cabanas and deliciously discreet bungalows, was the setting for the Valentine's Day wedding last year of Hanna and Alex, two youthful yellow labs, hosted by PETsMART.com. Over 50 humans and a dozen doggies - including Lassie -- watched as the two playful pooches exchanged crystal collars and vowed to be playmates forever.

Bach filled the air as guests arrived for the midmorning affair. Green banana leaf wallpaper with pink trim, gently swaying tropical palm trees, lush hibiscus, and blooming bougainvillea added to the elegant yet playful occasion.

Meanwhile, the pooches and their loyal parents primped and preened in separate chambers. Hanna, the blushing bride, smiled at herself in the mirror as Terrie, her mother, fussed over her collar. Last minute adjustments were made to Hanna's leash and collar, which were decorated with pet-friendly (i.e., not poisonous) florals. Pink and peach roses, accented with stock, Italian rascus, and delicate greenery, intertwined with French ribbon, decorated the leashes and garlands around both dogs' collars.

In the dressing room, the bride's mother helped Hanna into her heavenly white satin and tulle dress, which was accented with ribbons and delicate appliqué trim. "OK, Hanna, suck it in? OK, perfect!" Terrie cooed as she fastened the Velcro snugly under her belly.

Hanna's gown was designed by Rag Dog, a 5-year-old company that makes everything from Hawaiian shirts to dragon costumes for canines. "An outfit takes one or two fittings," costume designer Sharon Day explained, "if the dog stands still."

Excited, Hanna jumped up on the peach velvet chaise lounge for the final touch: Terrie pushed aside a little white tulle veil with flowers and an elastic so that she could slip off Hanna's old dog tag to make room for her new married one.

Tessa, the 11-month-old King Charles Cavalier that was the Maid of Honor, came in dressed in a pink satin princess dress with a pink net tutu skirt and red flower accents (with her owner, Brianna Vallee). "She looks great, did she lose a little weight for the wedding?" someone asked of the brown- and white-spotted bridesmaid.

On the other side, Alex Torrey was happily sniffing around. Dressed in a satin tuxedo and matching floral treatment, he was quite calm.

Alex and Hanna met two years ago at an Easter egg hunt at a dog park in Pasadena, sponsored by Three Dog Bakery, who provided the wedding cake. "Hanna was wearing a beautiful bonnet with a dress on," Claire recalls. "You wouldn't necessarily think of a lab getting married, maybe a small dog like a Maltese or a poodle, but as soon as we saw Hanna -- for me, too! -- we were love struck."

Though they continue to live with their respective families, the dogs will enjoyed a playful honeymoon that consisted of a whirlwind tour of Los Angeles dog parks.

The rest of the wedding party consisted of three famous pups: Lassie, the officiator who "read" the vows, best man Enzo (from My Dog Skip), and Mel Gibson. Mel, Lassie's dog, was the ring bearer. He's a Jack Russell terrier that was to hold the ring pillow during the ceremony.

Robert Weatherwax, Lassie's owner, was a bit excited about Lassie's involvement in the wedding. "After 39 years of working with my father and all the shows we've done, this is the first wedding," he said.

With his regal posture and a simple bow tie, Lassie was very sophisticated, as well as well-trained. "He does what I want him to do," Weatherwax said. The dog-actor's role as Lassie came about through family connections, he explained. "This Lassie is the 8th generation of his family to be in show biz since 'Lassie Come Home' in 1942."

Enzo also comes from a line of famous dogs. Son of Moose, the Jack Russell Terrier on the television show Frasier, Enzo has recently been in a feature film, "My Dog Skip." This 5-year-old loves the attention, and doesn't mind wearing clothes, either, "He's used to wearing all kinds of hats and costumes," explains his trainer, Mathilde Decagny.

When the music began, signaling the start of the ceremony, the paparazzi was there to capture every moment. Cameramen and photographers crowded around and flashes filled the room as Lassie, with vows in mouth and Robert at his side, came down the aisle first (to the spot where he would officiate the wedding).

Next came the best man and ring bearer, followed by the groom. Alex was so happy he stopped to greet each and every guest. The aisles were lined with gold fire hydrants and draped with tulle and flowers.

The dogs walked down a white cloth runner decorated with black paw prints. The procession ended at a podium that featured a support system in the shape of two oversize bones. The bone altar was embellished with tulle, fresh florals and greenery -- Casablanca lilies, roses, and lisianthus overflowed into tulle and ribbons. Event designer Michael Wells promised they were all are pet-friendly. "This is my first pet wedding," Michael said, "but it's the same amount of flowers as most others, just with a little more consideration that they're pet friendly."

The head table was decorated with bone-shaped dog bowls and centerpieces of pave roses, tulips, and ribbon-wrapped doggy treats. Interspersed throughout the room were doggie beds for the canine guests to sit upon.

As the dogs in the ceremony panted, their tails wagging excitedly, the guests rose to the sounds of the familiar Wedding March. In came the blushing bride, trotting down the aisle.

The bride and groom, although insisting on facing different directions, sat next to each other as their vows were read. Upon each dog's barks of "I do!" Hanna and Alex were officially wed in holy matrimony. To help them seal the deal with a kiss, their proud parents smeared cake frosting on their noses, which caused the couple to lovingly lick each others' faces.

The happy couple headed back down the aisle for photos and a taste of the four-tiered wedding cake. With two glass dogs atop the cake, this masterpiece looked every bit the real thing. Similar in taste to a low-fat whole wheat muffin, the cake, made by Three Dog Bakery, was primarily made with wheat flour, honey, and apple sauce. The frosting, concocted from low-fat yogurt (a doggie favorite) and honey, had all-natural colorings from hibiscus flowers, beets, and spinach. Despite the fact that it was a health food treat, the dogs really loved it!

Guests (of the four-legged variety) happily circled around the newlyweds as they gobbled goodies and sipped Champ-pagne (spring water bottled for dogs) that flowed from a silver fountain. Following their thirsty canine companions, the two-legged members of the wedding party and a few doggie guests joined in the slurping, and all rejoiced and celebrated this new love.

We send our wishes for a very happy anniversary to Hanna and Alex!

(Courtesy: http://www.petsmart.com/acme_pet/features/pet_pourri/articles/article_7068.shtml)