I have been reading a lot of articles & blogs on unions called “Bow-wow vows” as they are indeed on the rise in the U.S.
A recent article by Zehra Mamdani of the Columbia News Service stated that Rev. Lynn Turner, a licensed minister who marries both pets and people (although not to each other) performed a ceremony in Katy, TX in 2002. These unions are often accompanied by a cadre of professionals like pet marriage counselors, pet wedding planners, pet caterers, pet trainers and pet priests.
I was blown away to learn that the pet industry generates $40 billion of revenue annually and markets an array of products and services for an entire lifespan of milestone events, from birthdays to funerals.
As a pet owner, I know that pets are indeed treated like children. They become children for families that either don’t have children or have grown children that have moved out filling the “empty nest syndrome”.
The Census and other data show that about 30 percent of American households have children under the age of 18, whereas 63 percent of households accommodate pets.
According to the article, “Once a match is made, it’s off to the wedding planner. In Los Angeles, the Beverly Hills Mutt Club charges between $700 and $1,000 for the big day. This price range covers the cake, the marriage license (an actual human license, except that the pet wedding isn’t registered with the state), charms and outfits for the bride and groom. Truly pampered pets can travel to Oahu where the Rev. Kermit Rydell will perform a beach wedding.”
Some owners prefer to plan the pet nuptials themselves. Bakeries around the country offer edible wedding cakes for humans and animals, with some doggie cakes costing as much as $200. Designers offer canine and feline wedding dresses and gowns and even Swarovski jewelry to complete the look. To make sure the guests don’t come empty handed, PetSmart offers a bridal registry.
I guess there are no "pre-niptuals" required!! Holy Hot Dog!