Rachel and Sheldon were well into their 30’s when they decided to marry, and they wanted a unique wedding. Rather than a ceremony in their synagogue, they chose to tie the knot in a more intimate space, on an open floor in the same building where Rachel lived, in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. That made it much easier to have their Best Dog at the wedding.
Sheldon had adopted Buckeye, a racing Greyhound rescue, before the couple met. This sweet, long-legged dog had made a place in both their hearts and they loved him dearly. Rachel and Sheldon felt he deserved to be an integral part of their union. “It was such a happy occasion,” Sheldon says. “We couldn’t NOT have our dog in the wedding.”
In this New York loft space, the actual aisle to walk down was created by a parting of the standing guests. The Best Dog was escorted down the aisle by Rachel’s 7-year-old nieces, Allison and Zoe, and 8-year-old little Rachel, who were the flower girls/dog handlers. The Best Dog stood stoically with the wedding party, as only a Greyhound can, behaving himself admirably as the rabbi conducted the ceremony. Midway through, Buckeye decided this was all a bit tiresome. The handsome Best Dog harrumphed and plopped down for a nap. The flower girl charged with keeping a grip on the Greyhound’s collar was forced to kneel down to the floor, and sit there at the dog’s side. It made for a good laugh that only briefly interrupted the ceremony.
Continued: Cats and Dogs Make for a Unique Wedding