Gulf News

Pet festival to host mock ‘dog wedding’ parade

Great Dane ‘groom’ to wear a suit and bow-tie

- BY SHARMILA DHAL Chief Reporter

In what might just be a first for the UAE, a pet show to be held in the capital on Friday will feature a mock “dog wedding” parade.

Shree Nair, organiser of the Yas Pet Together at the du Arena on Yas Island, said, “As dogs take the catwalk showcasing the latest trends in dog clothing, some will feature regular wear, while others will don fancy dresses. The highlight will be a mock “wedding” parade with two dogs showcasing wedding costumes.”

Mira Ross, “mother” of the “groom”, said, “The preparatio­ns are going well. Andrew, our Great Dane from Germany, will wear a smashing black smoking suit with a striking red bow-tie.”

She said, “I must clarify there is no wedding as such, it’s just a fun, costume parade. I will be standing on the podium with Andrew waiting for his “bride” — a Poodle — to walk up to him. We will both offer her flowers. The “ceremony” over, a huge wedding cake, specially made for dogs, will be cut.”

Nair said the “bride” will don a stunning wedding dress, complete with a veil. The show will be choreograp­hed and presented with DJ music.

According to him, the event will be different in other ways too. “All competitio­ns and activities will ■ be conducted with the pet and parent (owner). In other words, the competitio­ns will have points for dog owners and cat owners along with their pets. In the dog show competitio­ns, dogs will be categorise­d as small, medium and large breeds and judged as different groups. The owners have to interact with the dogs and get them to do obedience exercises. Judges will assess the understand­ing and interactio­n between the owners and the dogs, along with the health and look of the dog.”

In the cat show too, judges will meet the cats along with the owners. The cats will be assessed for their breed standards, health and beauty, while the owners’ will be judged for their understand­ing of the pet.

 ??  ?? Andrew the Great Dane
Andrew the Great Dane

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