When it comes to our weddings, no matter how big or small they are, we certainly want our most beloved there by our sides – and this often includes pets. We often see pets be parts of people’s wedding ceremonies, and rightly so, they’re family.
One black lab named Charlie lived long enough to witness his owner get married – and it was a very touching moment.
When Denver, Colorado-based Kelly O’Connell married James Garvin, the couple new they wanted her dog, Charlie Bear to be there on the big day. The couple are both veterinarians.
Charlie is 15-years-old and had been a brain tumor for several months – but the wedding wasn’t until September. He was very weak, but he still managed to pull through for it.
Charlie began the walk down the aisle, accompanied by Katie Lloyd – Kelly’s sister and maid of honor. However, the distance was taking its toll on him. And that is when Katie, who’s all of five-foot-three, picked up the 80-pound Charlie, and carried him the rest of the way to the altar in order to be beside the couple.
As Kelly later told ABC News, “Both of us just dropped to our knees and started crying. To see him be carried a few feet, it kind of solidified for me that it’s not the Charlie he liked to be. He was aging, and it hit me knowing that he lost a lot.”
She added, “He was a very sweet dog. He loved everybody, but I was definitely his person.
Those memories made at the wedding turned out to be some of their final ones together – Charlie made the journey across the Rainbow Bridge a few days later.
The heartwarming pictures taken on the day, were captured by Kelly’s friend and photographer, Jen Dziuvenis, and will always be special to the couple.
Dziuvenis shared to Facebook, “When your beloved dog who is at the end of his life can’t make it back up the aisle and your sister scoops him up and carries him …. THAT is love. There isn’t enough mascara in the world for these moments. Dog people are the best people.”
And she’s right, there isn’t enough mascara in the world to hide the tears in our eyes.
