Couple Has ‘Last Minute’ Wedding At Vet’s Office So Their Dog Could Attend

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Couple Marries at Vet’s Office So Beloved Dog Could Be Part of Their Special Day

Most couples envision a specific place to say their vows, but for Cat Kukla and her husband, Jimmy, their wedding venue turned out to be quite unconventional. Instead of a picturesque outdoor setting or a grand hall, they chose a vet’s office for one simple reason: they wanted their beloved dog Bear to be part of their special day.

For Cat, Bear has always been more than just a pet. She had cherished a dream for years—one that didn’t involve typical wedding fantasies but revolved around her furry companion. “As a kid, I never really imagined my wedding like most little girls do,” Cat shared with The Dodo. “But I always pictured Bear being there with me, rolling down the aisle in a little red wagon.”

Cat met Jimmy in 2011, and Bear quickly became a central figure in both their lives. As their wedding day approached, they were determined to have Bear by their side. But as the big day drew near, Bear’s health took a sharp turn for the worse. At 17 years old, he had been battling kidney disease, and just days before the ceremony, he was hospitalized.

Faced with the heartbreaking possibility that Bear might miss the wedding, Cat made a suggestion that would change everything. “I asked Jimmy if we should consider getting married at the vet so Bear could still be with us,” she recalled. His reply was immediate and full of devotion: “I’d marry you any day, any time.”

And so, they adapted. Surrounded by close family and friends, Cat and Jimmy exchanged vows at VCA Veterinary Emergency Service & Veterinary Specialty Center, where Bear was receiving treatment. The veterinary team joined in celebrating the unique love story, capturing photos of Bear resting in a little red wagon, just as Cat had always imagined. On the back of the wagon was a tender message: “I loved her first.”

Cat also carried a permanent reminder of their bond — a tattoo on her arm that reads, “You’ll be with me wherever I go” alongside a paw print, honoring Bear’s lifelong place in her heart.

Just two days later, Bear was strong enough to return home, where he was showered with love from his favorite newlywed humans. The couple later went forward with their originally planned wedding ceremony, and this time, Bear — along with their other dogs — was able to be present. Against all odds, Bear seemed to rally for the occasion. “He actually got up and walked around outside,” Cat said. “It was something he hadn’t done in days, and he walked quite a bit!”

Cat also proudly displayed a tattoo in Bear’s honor, which read, “You’ll be with me wherever I go” alongside a paw print — a symbol of the bond they shared, one that was deeply felt on her wedding day.

A young and sweet pit bull was found behind a warehouse in south Memphis with hundreds of bite marks and other severe injuries. Liam, as the rescuers named him, had been used as bait for dog fighting and his abusers are still at large.

Though Bear’s health remains fragile, Cat and Jimmy are treasuring every moment with him. Their wedding day may not have been traditional, but it was filled with love, loyalty, and unforgettable memories. For them, the most important part wasn’t the venue or the setting — it was ensuring that their best friend, the dog who had been with Cat since childhood, was by their side on one of the happiest days of their lives.