Senior dog reportedly spent last 'good' day watching pet parents get married

Article content

A couple’s first dog was a fixture at their wedding, making the sweet day that much more emotional.

Brittany Cartie, 32, and Tyler Fedoris, 33, were the owners of three dogs — Franklin, 1, Phineas, 5, and Gulliver, who the pair adopted when he was nine weeks and they were 18 and 19, respectively.

On their wedding day in August 2024, a “simple and intimate” backyard ceremony, they were greeted by their dogs and while Phineas and Franklin left, Gulliver stayed. The senior dog proceeded to sit at his owners’ feet during their exchange of vows.

“We never expected him to take such a symbolic seat,” Cartie told People magazine.

“Tyler and I exchanged a glance after realizing he was right there at our feet, looking up at us with pride, and tears instantly filled both of our eyes.”

Gulliver remained, watching them intently as they shared their first kiss as husband and wife, which Cartie said “really felt intentional” and “so funny.”

Cartie recently posted the adorable wedding footage of Gulliver on TikTok, but shared some sad news about their first boy.

“We fell in love with him first and then each other,” she wrote.

“He’s been at the centre of our relationship for over 13 years and he saw us through to this day. It was really his last “good” day, followed by several months of declining health.

“I’m not sure who we are without him; there’s never been an ‘us’ without Gulliver,” she added, including a broken-heart emoji.

Cartie revealed to People that Gulliver was 13 1/2 when he died on June 16.

“It was truly the hardest day of our life,” Cartie told the publication.

“(Gulliver) had a special way of making you feel so safe and loved, and he was very tuned in to each of our emotions.

“My sister also said to me once that he was so strong for so long because he wanted nothing more than to be with us forever. When we said goodbye to him, we thanked him for all the love he poured into us and let him know that we were going to be OK and he could rest now.”

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

The couple planted a memorial hydrangea bush for their beloved canine.

“When the blooms first appear in June, we can reflect on our last days with him,” Cartie said.

“When they age to pink in August, we can reflect on our wedding day. And then finally when the blooming season is coming to a close, it will be time to honour his October birthday.”

Cartie said she and Fedoris will always miss Gulliver, but their wedding day memories with him never fail to provide “great comfort.”

“We’ve found ourselves repeatedly revisiting photos and videos from that day,” she said, “and we also have the privilege of revisiting the physical site in our backyard whenever we need a moment of quiet remembrance.”