I went to a wedding last weekend in northern Maine. It was a beautiful ceremony outside a cabin on Nickerson Lake. The event was complete with tearful parents, a beautiful bride, a tardy groom, a comical best man speech, and an adorable 6-year old ring bearer. What made this matrimony different and – in my opinion – even more magical was the inclusion of one special someone: Piper, the Yorkshire terrier (pictured).
Piper belonged to the bride and groom and oversaw the entire set-up the day before. She mingled among party supply delivery men and barked orders at the decorators from underneath white tablecloths. On the big day, she wore a stunning bridal gown (was it Oscar de la Renta or Versace?). She wasn’t a fan of the veil, though, going into total freeze mode while it was on her head. (Isn’t it weird how dogs do that? When my parents put a Christmas sweater on our cocker spaniel all her muscles tightened up and she growled until the holiday straight jacket was removed).
Piper socialized with the guests before the ceremony, a very hospitable hostess. When the couple was finally saying their vows at the altar, little Piper walked up to the altar and sat on the bride’s train. The two people looked down lovingly at their little pooch and the moment couldn’t have been more perfect. Everyone in attendance just melted watching the three of them promising to spend the rest of their lives together. As the bride and groom walked back up the aisle as husband and wife with the rest of the wedding party, Piper brought up the rear, sniffing at the scattered rose petals along the way.
