From an emotional puppy proposal to a beautiful pit bull wedding, this week has gone to the dogs, in the most fantastic of ways!
Zeus and Abbey tied the knot last month in a beautiful pit bull wedding ceremony that even humans are jealous of. The video of their wedding is gaining lots of attention not only because two adorable pit bulls got married, but because the message behind their love is equally as touching.
Rescue Pit Bull’s Abbey and Zeus get married in a dog wedding at Speranza Animal Rescue. Credit: Sea The Beauty Photography – Nikki Culbertson
The groom Zeus took to the altar in his formal black bow tie while his bride, Abbey walked down the aisle in a plush white tulle tutu and white flower collar. The couple were wed in a lovely outdoor ceremony at the Speranza Animal Rescue in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania on November 29.
Rescue Pit Bull’s Abbey and Zeus get married in a dog wedding at Speranza Animal Rescue. Credit: Sea The Beauty Photography – Nikki Culbertson
Though the pit bull wedding idea was dreamed up by the Speranza Animal Rescue’s Fundraising Coordinator Emily Bear, the rescue didn’t just pick two pups and put them together for the wedding. Zeus and Abbey had formed a bond that was meant to be, and everyone could see they were brought together at the Rescue for a reason.
Before the wedding began, the guests were given a bit of a back story on the bride and groom, revealing their troubled histories and how they became such a loving couple.
Abbey was one of the first dogs at taken into the Speranza Rescue after it opened its doors in 2012. She was rescued from a high kill shelter with two of her puppies. While the puppies were adopted very quickly, Abbey remained at the rescue for over 800 days, waiting for the right family to come along.
Zeus came to the rescue in 2013, the winter after Abbey arrived, suffering from several terrible injuries from abuse including broken bones in his face and the loss of his left eye. He was on his way to being put down, but the caring staff at Speranza took him in and looked after him during his recovery.
When Zeus was rescued he was rightfully “very fearful of people,” after having endured terrible abuse, said Janine Guido, the founder of Speranza Animal Rescue. “Abbey was great with people, however did not do well with other dogs.” When the two were brought together, something magical happened.
“I for some reason had a gut feeling that in a strange way they could help one another,” Guido recalled, “and when I introduced them that day, the sparks were there instantly.”
What Zeus and Abbey have was definitely “love at first sight,” the Rescue’s founder told The Knot, the two pups were “bonded at the hip since the first moment they met that day in that yard,” and they’ve helped each other get back the light that was lost when they were abused.
Rescue Pit Bull’s Abbey and Zeus’ wedding cake at their reception after getting married in a dog wedding. Credit: Sea The Beauty Photography – Nikki Culbertson
Guido explained there were definitely deeper feelings at work than just two dogs playing in the yard and shared with The Knot that, “Abbey quickly became Zeus’ security blanket. When Abbey was around, it gave Zeus the confidence to meet other people. She made him feel safe.” In turn, Zeus let Abbey know that other dogs could be fun, friendly, even loving towards her, helping her conquer her fears as well.
Their adoption was called a “Christmas miracle,” during the short and sweet pit bull wedding ceremony. The Morretti family met and fell in love with Zeus just before Christmas in 2014, but before the adoption of Zeus was finalized, they agreed that they would like to take in one more dog. After meeting Abbey, their fate was sealed. The two pit bulls were adopted at the same time, destined to stay together forever.
Rescue Pit Bull’s Abbey and Zeus get married in a dog wedding at Speranza Animal Rescue. Credit: Sea The Beauty Photography – Nikki Culbertson
Zeus asked Abbey to marry him on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2015, according to the Rescue’s Facebook page, and the couple were married, exchanging vows they “wrote for each other,” on November 29, 2015. The presiding judge explained that Zeus and Abbey were a bit nervous for their pit bull wedding ceremony, “so they’ve asked me to read the vows,” getting a few laughs from the crowd.
After each pit bull shared their thanks to Speranza Animal Rescue for their incredible efforts in rehabilitation and love, and of course professed their love to one another, Zeus and Abbey exchanged new collars. The judge finished up the pit bull wedding ceremony saying, “I now pronounce you husband and wife,” and informing Zeus, “You may lick your bride,” with wedding guests cheering in the background.
Congratulations to Zeus and Abbey, and many thanks to Speranza Animal Rescue for sharing your story with us, and for sharing your love with all your rescued animals!
