A Wedding Vow Renewal Meets Animal Shelter Fundraiser by Two Women Whose Hearts Beat Dog

The fashionistas sitting pretty on the red carpet

We honor our pets all year long, but since 2007, did you know there’s also a Pet Parents Day? I didn’t. It was apparently founded by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), and while it’s an unofficial national holiday, I think how we feel about our pets deserves a proper day of recognition, don’t you? So, in honor of Pet Parents Day, I thought sharing a milestone event my friend and fellow pet blogger, Carol Bryant of Fidose of Reality, created last week was pet perfect!

Who’s getting re-married?!

Darlene & Carol renewing their vows with flower girl, Zola and bridal escort, Dexter

Carol and the 20-year-plus love of her life, Darlene Bryant, wanted to renew their vows. They could’ve planned another wedding (they originally got married in June of 2014), or they could marry this very special occasion with another very special mission in their lives – helping dogs in need. Carol and Darlene are the proud parents of Dexter, a Cocker Spaniel who many might say they’d like to come back as, when they pass. Dexter is a very loved boy. He is as much their child as any human baby, and because they care so deeply about his wellbeing, they chose to spread that love around when they created the fundraising arm of Fidose of Reality, Wigglebutt Warriors.

The mission of Wigglebutt Warriors is to empower and teach others to help dogs who have no home, have been abused/neglected, and are seeking their forever homes. In a nutshell, Carol and Darlene want to change the way some dogs are treated in this world. It’s called Wigglebutts for the adorable way Cockers wiggle their tushes when they walk.

So, that brings us back to the vow renewal. Instead of planning another wedding, they planned a fundraiser and chose NYC Second Chance Rescue, a 501(c)3, to be the beneficiary. Their mission is to facilitate the adoption/re-homing of animals that have been abandoned or given up by their former owners, and to place them in new loving homes.

The big event!

On Saturday, April 16th, Carol and Darlene hosted Wigglebutts Uncorked at America’s oldest winery, Brotherhood, in Washingtonville, New York. From all accounts, as I wasn’t able to fly up to attend, it was a very fun event that drew 200 humans, 60 dogs and one couture cat (I knew that had to be Coco the Couture Cat, the second I heard it. She’s fabulous!).

Coco the Couture Cat & mom, Teri Thorsteinson

Chloe & Carol get kissy with it

NYC canine fashionistas like Instagram star and senior rescue, Chloe Kardoggian, and runway fixtures ZZ, Nevada, Cubby, Tasha Belle and others attended, and celebrity dog trainer, Animal Planet show host and tv pet expert contributor, Andrea Arden, hosted the evening.

Andrea Arden, Regina Mendoza of NYC Second Chance Rescue & Carol Bryant

My good friend and fellow Women in the Pet Industry Network member (and its 2014 Woman of the Year), Lorien Clemens of PetHub.com, performed “a stunning solo” of the Linda Eder song, “It’s Only Love.” Lorien used to be a singer and an actress, before being bitten by the pet business bug.

Carol Bryant, Lorien Clemens, Ryan Vayo & Andrea Arden

A cutie pie moment I’m also sorry I missed, must’ve been when industry organization, The Pup Scouts (think Girl Scout troops for dogs), created by Susan Godwin and Jennifer Jo Moyer, performed two songs. Did the pups do kanine karaoke?

Dexter & Coco Chanel Bella on the carpet Photo credit: Carol Bryant

While it was very much Carol and Darlene’s day, they’d be the first to tell you the stars of the event were Dexter and his lady love, fellow Cocker, Coco Chanel Bella. Carol was so funny, when I asked her about who made Dexter and Coco’s outfits for the special occasion. “Dexter and his blonde gorgeous girlfriend, Coco Chanel Bella, wore the designer label, Belle Diva Couture,” she explained. “Me? I wore David’s Bridal.” Point made! LOL

Dr. Harvey’s provided the official “Smorgasbark” bar, where dog and cat fare was dished out in disposable bowls and made fresh on the spot. Lucky pups, each guest received a Dr. Harvey’s packet of goodies to take home.

Coco’s mom and  Carol’s maid of honor, Christine Aiello,  baked a beautiful, three-tiered wedding cake for the couple. But, don’t worry, the pups weren’t left out. Sweet Paws Bakery gave each guest a wine bottle-shaped doggie treat, with their own slice of doggie wedding cake from their bakery. I heard Dex pronounced it, Yum-tastic!

The renewal vows were led by Reverend Ann Marie Acacio, who also married the couple back in June of 2014. Sweet! I love the vows page in the program and had to share:

And, with rescue being a major focus of the evening, there were shelter pups from NYC Second Chance, brought by shelter director, Regina Mendoza. One of them, Baby Joey, has a particularly heart-wrenching story. Joey was found as a puppy, with both of his rear legs almost completely chopped off. Second Chance rescued him, and along with the help of Merrick Pet Care, nursed him back to health and got him fitted with prosthetic legs, no inexpensive proposition. That’s why the good rescue groups and brands are such heroes for animals in need. Joey looks like a happy pup, now looking for his forever home. In the meantime, Mendoza is fostering him. Speaking of heroes, Regina has fostered over 120 dogs in her home over the past year. Wow!

Baby Joey & Dexter (Photo courtesy of Jennifer Giuliano-Dahn)

Landis, a big beautiful boy also from Second Chance, found his forever home at Wigglebutts Uncorked. He was adopted by event sponsors, Rick and Ryan Vayo, founders of My Pet Harmony, that look to match people with their perfect shelter pet.

There were awards given out, too! Who won?

The Wiggy Awards, affectionally known as The Wiggys, honor dogs (and cats) in a variety of categories, including focusing on giving back. Some of the winners were:

Outstanding Rescue Pet: Landis trotted away with this one

Best Dressed Male: Ace of Marlene Ness

Best Dressed Female: Nevada of Terry St. Angelo

Other Best Dressed Species Than Dog: Coco the Couture Cat, industry colleague Teri Thorsteinson’s fashionista kitty, sashayed away with that honor.

Cutest Mutt Award: Zoey of Jason Diehl and Dawn Webster

There were others, too, including a 3-way tie for the Wigglebutt Warrior of the Year, an award that’s given to someone who goes above and beyond to help save dogs’ lives. You can discover who won and see all of the categories in Carol’s story on Fidose of Reality.

When the evening wound down to an end, each pet parent left with a swag bag chock full of goodies and savings from some amazing, generous industry colleagues and their brands. A great time was had by all, and Carol and Darlene had a beautiful vow renewal ceremony, amongst friends and family. And, they raised money for a great cause…their love of dogs. Now, if that doesn’t exemplify the bond between us and our pets, which is what Pet Parent Day is all about, I don’t know what does.

Discover Carol’s great blog, Fidose of Reality!

Learn more about NYC Second Chance Rescue.

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All photos by Juli Dritz Cialone, Cialone Photography & used courtesy of Fidose of Reality.