Would you involve your fur-babby in your wedding?
If you said yes, you're not alone. Heaps of brides-to-be are planning to include someone fuzzy in their bridal party this year… but not all of them are thinking about what can be done to make Woofie's adventure down the isle a smooth one.
Do your pup a favor, and spend some time thinking about what a wedding will look like from his point of view. If your dog is timid around strangers under daily circumstances, a wedding… with all it's novelty… might be a tall order for him. On the other side of things, if you have a very laid back creature for a pet, participating in a wedding might be no biggie. It pays to be realistic with the facts before hand, and avoid the disasters that may result from telling yourself "I'm sure he'll be fine" when you know in your heart your pup isn't ready to be around two-hundred brand new people + food.
Most couples give themselves at least a year to plan a big, gorgeous, lavish wedding. Why not use this time to acquaint your pup with sights and sounds that he will encounter day of. He'll enjoy spending the extra time with you anyway… (Brownie Points!)… and you'll have a calmer friend on your special day!
Someone has to help Fido make his rounds day of, and as much as you enjoy daily doggie duties… a wedding is a beast of a different nature. You'll want to be free to dance, laugh, eat, cry, hug… You can't be a bride and a dog chaperone at the same time. While friends and family may be happy to help out, consider hiring a trainer to guide you treasured pup around. Watching out for animal well-being and safety is what they do… Having a trained ally in your corner is always a good idea!
Some folks have allergies to pet dander… some folks are skiddish around dogs… It's always a good idea to be sure everyone is on the same page when including pets in a wedding. Consider attaching a note to your invitations telling guests that your pup will be attending, so that they can resolve any issues that they may have before hand.
Puppy is sweet, and he makes such big eyes at your guests!… And of course, they will want to give him something he'll appreciate… At a big party with lots of big-hearted guests, it is little wonder that an animal could wind up with a Big tummy ache by the end of the night. Consider preparing a pretty basket full of doggie-aproved treats for guests to dip into when the desire strikes.
It can even be a fun added adventure for you to home-bake special treats for your pup to enjoy on day of! Who doesn't love home-made?
We'd love to hear your stories about how you included your dog in your wedding… and tips about what made his adventure a bit easier- they may help other brides-to-be plan their day.
Here's to all you animal-lovers + the animals we love!
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Photo cred: Top: Denise Andrew
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