ohmidog!

Matzoball and Meatball attended the Malibu wedding of their owner, Adam Sandler. Gwen Stefani walked down the aisle with her sheepdog, Winston, when she married Gavin Rossdale in London. Gisele Bundchen’s three dogs looked on as she tied the knot with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. And Jennifer Hudson has announced her intentions to include her dogs in her upcoming ceremony.

But not just celebrities are making the dog a member of the wedding party these days. Take Andy MacDonald, regular guy. At his wedding in Seattle, his dog Inge, a collie-malamute mix, served as ring bearer — and handled the job nicely.

The concept of man’s best friend as best man, or at least an honored member of the wedding party, is catching on, and has even led to the creation of a niche industry — or a niche within a niche industry – that caters to Fido’s appearance on his owner’s big day, according to a Columbia News Service article that appeared in this week’s San Jose Mercury-News. 

“It’s a shift in the way people view pets,” says Brian Iannessa, a spokesman for Veterinary Pet Insurance, explaining the trend behind canine participants in weddings. “People are incorporating pets into their lives more than ever before, taking them on trips, celebrating their pets’ birthdays.”

Forty-two percent of the insurance company’s clients had or plan to have their pets participate in their wedding, according to a recent poll of 3,000 pet owners. Iannessa estimates that the vast majority of those surveyed were dog owners.

The dog has moved from the barn to the backyard to the bedroom, explains Iannessa. “In some cases, dogs are viewed as human members of your family, and it makes sense to include them in important milestone moments.”

The article goes on to report that a small industry has sprouted up alongside the phenomenon. Dogs can receive wedding doggy biscuits as well as a private room to decompress after completing their role in the ceremony. There are specialty stores where owners can buy everything from full-length bridesmaid’s dresses to bow ties for their dogs.

Jenny Gregorich, owner of Poochie Heaven, an online dog-clothing store, receives around seven orders a month for dog wedding attire. She is also frequently commissioned to create custom tuxedos for clients who want their dogs to match the exact color or style of the wedding.

Charlotte Reed, pet lifestyle expert and author, devotes a chapter of “The Miss Fido Manners Complete Book of Dog Etiquette” to proper canine wedding manners, including her recommendations that dogs be familiar with the venue, get a chance to train for the wedding and have a designated looker-after.

“A doggy date is a must,” says Reed, warning that if left unattended, dogs may jump on guests or sneak a piece of wedding cake.

Jordan Kaplan, owner of Petaholics, a dog-walking and pet-sitting company in New York City, has had his share of doggy dates, the article says.

He recently dog-sat for a wedding at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York. The French bulldog wore a tuxedo, while the Maltese opted for a white dress shirt. The dogs stood on the sidelines for the entire ceremony. The French bull only voiced an opinion one time.

“He barked once when they asked if anyone had an objection to the marriage,” Kaplan says. “It was perfect timing.”

The wedding took place anyway.

(Photo from Poochieheaven.com)