Photo Credit: Chris Duke/Westminster Kennel Club
Today is the first day of the 136th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show! For those of you who don’t know, I am currently working for Westminster and have been surrounded by all things dog related (and office related of course) for the past few weeks. This dog show isn’t just any dog show. This show is the big kahuna and the dog who wins the title of Best in Show tomorrow night will be the equivalent to Miss America in the canine world. Hickory, the Scottish Deerhound who won the title of Best in Show last year and other winners in years past are deemed the “perfect” dog have gone on to ring the closing bell of the New York Stock Exchange, ride on a float in the Macy’s Parade (which I have done as well but it wasn’t from winning top dog at a dog show) and even visiting the President at the White House.
But these dogs aren’t just any normal dog. They are groomed and trained to be the perfect dog and know how to behave around tens of thousands of people and with flashing cameras. These dogs are the pure bred, Mensa members of the dog world. Not everyone has a dog like these.
In the acting world, working with children and animals is always unpredictable just like it will be on your wedding day. A lot of couples think really hard about including children and which children in particular in their wedding. Although I am not a mother, I am a pet owner and as much as I would like to believe that my pet is well trained, I know she’s not. Granted my pet is a cat with a leaky eyeball (poor Gracie the Cat) and not a dog. Regardless, just because I love my pet doesn’t mean she needs to be in my wedding.
Yours truly with Gracie the Cat
For the sake of this post, let’s pretend that my non-groom Brandon and I have a French Bulldog named Rufus. We love Rufus dearly and he is for the most part a very well behaved dog. He doesn’t bite, but he is a scene stealer. Between his good looks that makes everyone a little tender and his ability to not always follow commands unless they are followed by the word “TREAT?”, he doesn’t make a good candidate for ring bearer. I would only worry that he would run up the aisle rather than down, pee on the linen, hump a guest’s leg, chew on a flower arrangement…the list goes on and on. This same list applies to some of my human family as well.
The next question is what do you do with the dog after the ceremony? What if your ceremony and your reception are held at the same venue? No one is going to go home and drop your dog off. You would need to find some sort of doggy sitter (which is not one of the duties of a wedding planner mind you!) What if you have a destination wedding? You would need to get a dog friendly hotel and keep your dog on a leash at all times. Are you incorporating your dog because s/he is a part of your family or to be trendy and because you think its cute? Real questions to ask yourself before throwing your dog a bone on your big day.
With that all being said, there are dogs that are well behaved and well trained just like the dogs competing in the Westminster Kennel Club this week. Loyal and behaved canines who obediently stand by their master/mistress’s side. Dogs who could have their own little bed with a special treat of cooked meats and veggies right by where their owners have their sweetheart table. Dogs that are big enough to be seen and not stepped on should the want to walk around the reception and mingle with the guests.
If this is your kind of dog, having him/her in your wedding is a lovely idea. Have the florist make a garland to go on the collar and leash that matches the other floral in your party. Have the ring bearer or flower girl walk the dog down the aisle and give him/her the responsibility of holding on to the dog through the ceremony. You could also dress the dog up in a doggy tux, but I know my non-groom Brandon would never allow Rufus to wear clothes.
There are ways to incorporate your beloved canine in your wedding, but be very sure and play devil’s advocate with yourself to make sure having your dog there is a good idea. Its not your coordinator or the assistant’s job to look after and clean up after your dog. Hire a handler or sitter or if you know of a friend who REALLY loves dogs (I’m looking at you Rachel Jones!) to be there and watch your dog on your big day.
Doggie garland, Doggie wreath, Doggie tux
-Hilary
