TWO RESCUED dogs were “married “ yesterday at a ceremony attended by 200 guests.
The event originated as a coffee morning to raise funds for Cork’s Dog Action Welfare Group, which took the pair in.
Known as Dawg, the group attracted 200 animal lovers to the event, raising €1,500. It has been seeking financial support as it prepares to move from Doneraile to a new premises in mid-Cork.
Master of ceremonies PJ Coogan exchanged “bow wow vows” on behalf of the happy couple, French mastiff George and bull mastiff Sophie. They sealed their future with a lick before digging into two dog treat bones presented on a velvet cushion.
George, who suffers from arthritis, was handed in to a vet, while Sophie was given up by a family who could no longer afford to keep her.
Dawg volunteer Trish Gravina, who fostered the two dogs, said she had no doubt the two would be faithful to each other. She ensured the ceremony was stress-free in order to protect their welfare.
The dogs feasted on a heart-shaped dog-biscuit wedding cake prepared by chef Gordon Callanan of The Pantry restaurant in Midleton, where yesterday’s ceremony took place.
The chef used Pedigree Chum to create a cake structure and filled the inside with dog biscuits and treats.
“I’ve done many a wedding over the years but this is a first. You have to think outside the dog-box when you are cooking with stuff you have never used before,” he said.