Bow-wow vows as doggy duo unite in ‘mutt-trimony’

TWO hound dogs turned lovebirds for a day and swapped bow-wow vows in a wedding ceremony with a difference.

Rescue dogs and best pals George, a two-year-old French mastiff, and Sophie, a six-year-old bull mastiff, went walkies up the aisle and united in “holy mutt-trimony” in a special fundraiser for a Co Cork dog charity.

About 150 human guests gathered in the spring sunshine for the outdoor ceremony outside The Pantry Restaurant in Midleton to help the Dog Animal Welfare Group (DAWG).

A respectful hush fell on the congregation as the blushing, and slobbering, bride arrived fashionably late.

She looked radiant in a white dress complete with lace frills and corsage, made by Mary O’Shaughnessy.

George, who has a touch of arthritis, looked dashing in a cream waistcoat and black dickie bow.

He wagged his tail and even drooled a little bit as his bride appeared.

The couple then walked on all fours up the red carpet to the altar.

But the occasion overwhelmed “best dog”, Scoobie, who scampered off before the vows.

George and Sophie then declared their puppy love for each other, before making a dog’s dinner of a dog-biscuit wedding cake — made specially for the occasion by The Pantry’s Gordon Callinan.

DAWG volunteer and wedding coordinator Trish Gravina, who has fostered the two dogs, joked that George had done well to persuade Sophie to marry him.

“Sophie’s not in it for the looks. It’s George’s personality that attracted her,” she said.

The ceremony was broadcast live on Neil Prendeville’s show on Cork’s 96fm, which played Elvis Presley’s classic Hound Dog as the soundtrack for the newlywed’s first dance together.

Ms Gravina stressed the stunt has a serious side, with a coffee morning organised after the wedding to raise much-needed funds for DAWG, which is preparing to move from Doneraile to a new premises in mid-Cork.

“We are now moving and hopefully signing a lease on a new premises later this week,” Ms Gravina said.

“The costs are quite high and we need to raise as much money as possible to continue our work helping dogs.”