Blind couple get married after dogs find love first

Newlyweds Claire Johnson and Mark Gaffey have their gorgeous dogs to thank for finding love.

A case of puppy love has led to the wedding of two guide dog owners – with the bride saying their pets helped her find true love.

Claire Johnson, 50, and Mark Gaffey, 51, got married in Stoke-on-Trent in England, after their Labrador-Retriever guide dogs Venice and Rodd fell in love at a two-week guide dog training course two years ago.

After they were paired with the dogs, Claire and Mark continued to meet up for play dates because they "couldn't bear" to split them up.

Mark proposed on Valentine’s Day last year.

Venice and Rodd took the happy couple through the service and even acted as ring-bearers and Claire said: “Our dogs were the class love story. Everyone used to joke about how Mark’s dog Rodd and my dog Venice were meant to be together.”

“Yep, she got a guide dog, and she got a fiancé free,” joked Mark.

Smitten Claire added: “Our dogs brought us together...and they’re still crazy about each other.”

Claire and Mark at home with Venice and Rodd

**Wedding picture taken by Clara Lou Photography