Precious pooches get to join in their owners big day

The term man’s best friend has taken on a whole new meaning according to the owner of a boarding kennels who says there has been a huge surge in doting dog owners including their pampered pooches as part of their big day.

The micro wedding culture that has evolved due to covid restrictions has encouraged brides and grooms to give their fur babies a starring role at their ceremonies with some canines even walking down the aisle ahead of the wedding party.

People may not have been able to invite aunts and uncles, close friends or cousins but some delirious dog owners made sure their prized pets didn’t miss out.

Ken Reilly owner of A1 Boarding Kennels, Johnstown, Navan, a family business he runs alongside wife Anneline and with help from children Emily (15), Conor (17), and Pippa (7), says he has been “inundated” with requests to take on doggie day-care for brides and grooms. He said:

“When people are ringing up to book their wedding, they are asking for someone who is able to mind the dogs and when they talk to us they realise they we are able to provide the service and able to bring the dog to the wedding for photos, take them back and then they stay with us for the duration of the honeymoon.

“The bride and groom supply the little tux jackets, the bow tie, the ribbon for the dogs and on the day of the wedding we have them washed, polished and ready to go.

“I’d always recommend couples to get whatever the plan their dog to wear well ahead of time and put it on the dog so they are used to it before the big day.

“I’ve often seen maybe on a damp day the dog would jump up on the bride and the panicked bridesmaid would be coming over with tissues, but the bride is not phased at all.

“These people absolutely idolise their dogs, so it doesn’t matter about the wedding dress.

“One woman actually said to me after their dog got mud on the dress, it doesn’t matter, that paw print will be there forever!”

Ken and co in A1 Boarding Kennels have been kept on their toes recently by owners returning to work and needing doggie day care as the animal lover explains:

“Lot of people are now going back to work and need someone to care for their dogs. They can drop the dog to us at 7.30 in the morning and can pick it up in the evening and all of the dogs are outside mixing together.

“We started off as a boarding kennels then we realised all of the dogs needed to be socialised, we keep the dogs outside all day everyday with loads of space to play and they are a happier dog going home.”