THE NEW BARKER SPRING 2013 | Page 76

The Fur-Based Community Applauds This Union. –by Anna Cooke Photography by Anna Cooke. It was her come hither look that turned his previously wandering eyes into a look of love. And soon that dog’s fancy turned into a romantic spring wedding. A furry tail wedding? Well, yes, with the help of some very imaginative humans who were looking for a good reason to throw a party. No gifts for the wedding party were required. Just a well-checked sense of humor. Elaine Foster of St. Petersburg was helping a friend prepare for an estate sale. Determining what to toss or save, the two women came across an old christening dress. There was no sentimental value to it, but Elaine thought it was too beautiful to toss. So she took it home and cleaned it up.That’s when she realized it looked like a miniature wedding gown and asked herself—wouldn’t her Yorkie, Karly Bufé St. Michelle look adorable in this dress? She chuckled at the passing thought. But something happens to humans during the spring. A man’s attention turns to March Madness and a longing for Major League Baseball. A woman dreams of love, flowers, champagne and weddings. And so it was—an arranged wedding was planned for the unsuspecting dogs, Miss Karly Bufé and Sir Bailey, her longtime dogfriend. Sir Bailey’s humans, Patty and Bryan McConnell were just as giddy as Karly's family. Go-to gal, Nina Light took care of the accoutrements— from the flower arrangements to the ring bearer pillow—all made to scale. A rehearsal took place the evening before. The day of the wedding, Deanna Foster tossed rose petals as the flower girl. Her sister, Megan was the Matron of Honor and lit the candles before Karly walked the aisle to meet her betrothed. While Washington was all atwitter about what legally constitutes a marriage (a union where the word legal should never enter into the discussion), two dogs were wed on April 28, 2012, complete with a marriage license.The nuptials were officiated by Hardy Bryan in Chapel Foster. U Karly, and the dress that started it all. 74 THE NEW BARKER Flower arrangements made to scale. The happy couple should remain so, as each will maintain their own residences. Photo by Susan Alderson. www.TheNewBarker.com