Community Corner
160 Dogs Married, $4,000 Raised at Animal Adoption Event
`Love was in the air,' says leader of Villa Park group holding one of largest dog wedding ceremonies in history. 'It's a win all around.'
An astonishing 160 dogs (paired into 80 couples) participated in a dog wedding ceremony on Saturday, September 25th in Villa Park, raising $4,000 for 10 animal rescue groups as part of the Paws & Claws in the Park animal adoption event at Lions Park.
Though the turnout fell short of the Guinness World Records mark of 178 couples that has stood since 2007, the event served as a joyous, rallying endeavor for Villa Park community members, said Leslie Allison-Seei, chairperson of the Villa Park Community F.U.N. (Focus on Unifying Neighbors) Commission, the event organizer.
“We are thrilled to draw so much attention to our animal adoption groups, while also bringing our community together,” said Allison-Seei. “Love was in the air. It’s a win all around, especially after the turbulent times we have all had.”
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The ceremony was preceded by a doggy speed-dating phase that resulted in a wide assortment of couples. WGN Radio “Pet World” host Steve Dale was emcee, while Villa Park Village President Nick Cuzzone, as the “Doggy Do’s” officiant, led the dogs in their vows. Magician Martin Rees, a five-time Guinness World Records holder, provided entertainment via video feed from England.
In May 2007, an event held in Littleton, Colorado established 178 canine couples as the Guinness World Records title in this light-hearted category. A November 2008 attempt in Oak Park, Illinois to break that record fell short when 87 canine couples came together.
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Allison-Seei and her husband, Greg, own Robust Promotions, a Villa Park-based firm with extensive professional promotional-and-marketing expertise that coordinated the event. Already, people have begun clamoring for another attempt at next year’s Paws & Claws in the Park.
Inspired by that enthusiasm and support, plans are already afoot for another bid next year. “I’ve been married a couple of times," Allison-Seei quipped, "so dogs can be married a couple of times.”
Each dog received a Doggy Do’s Wedding Gift Bag from Ruff Life, a customized wedding certificate, and a post-ceremony Goat’s Milk Champagne toast provided by Pet Supplies Plus.
The participating rescue groups were:
For more background about Paws & Claws in the Park, visit www.pawsandclawsvp.com
