Dog 'Wedding' Raises Hundreds for Charity on National Puppy Day: 'A Happy, Funny Experience'

Though the venue — aptly called the Boneyard — was covered with snow, it was still a beautiful day in Madison, Wisconsin, for Shiba Inu dog pals Suki and Ron, who “married” in a ceremony on March 23, National Puppy Day.

“It was a wonderful, happy, funny experience,” says Suki’s owner Erika Nowlan, 45. “Both dogs said, ‘I Roo!’ ”

The pups met online during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing each other on a Shiba Prom Zoom.

"His charming, forlorn-sweet facial expression warmed her heart," says Nowlan of Ron. Though she and Suki are Madison residents and Ron and his family live in Columbus, Ohio, the dogs "are going to continue their long-distance romance," Nowlan adds.

Shiba Prom is an all-volunteer organization based in Chicago that has raised more than $100,000 to support Shiba Inu dogs rescued from unfavorable situations since 2012.

At Suki and Ron's wedding, supporters and friends were remembering Alisa Gaylon, a founding member and former board treasurer of Shiba Prom, who died from cancer in January.

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"It was so incredibly said," says Nowlan. "We wanted to honor her memory. In 2013, she held an in-person dog wedding for her Shiba, Zenji, at a fundraiser for a local Shiba rescue. That's how we got the idea to do a dog wedding, and raise money for Shiba Prom."

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Though hearts were heavy, the mood was light at the wedding, as Suki walked down the aisle to "She's Your Queen" from the movie Coming to America, wearing a dress with a lace bodice, tulle and satin skirt and lace veil, complemented with a faux diamond necklace. Suki's littermate Mika served as maid of honor, standing by her side in a pink dog dress.

Shiba Prom president Shannon Andreas drove in from Northeastern Pennsylvania and officiated the ceremony, which included a traditional Jewish breaking of the glass and a rousing "Muzzle Tov!"

Treats included homemade “pupcakes” baked by Shannon's husband Dave, plus "shots" of bone broth and take-home treats donated by local store Petphoria. The party continued with playtime at the Boneyard, which is a combination dog park and beer garden.

Says Nowlan: “It was a huge success.” 

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