Canine couple tie knot in Darjeeling

[Guest guest]

Hindustan Times, 12 December, 2006, Kolkata, Plus Bengal, Page 4

 

Canine couple tie knot amid wags, howls and chicken broth

 

Amitava Banerjee, Darjeeling, December 11

 

It was the grandest wedding 'ruff-ception' Darjeeling had ever witnessed. A

spread of the choicest delicacies- Pedigree Dog food, dog biscuit, dog chew

and chicken broth- waited on the table as 2-year-old Irish and half-year

senior Murphy were bonded in 'howly' matrimony on Sunday in the presence of

the who's who of the twon's canine community.

 

It had started on a cold, wintry morning a year ago at the dog park, where

Irish first met Murphy. From the first sniff, it was pure puppy love, which

finally ended in Sunday's grand wedlock.

 

The Darjeeling Inititiative(DI) and Help Ensure Animal Life(HEAL), an NGO

based in the Hill town, played wedding planner for the Irish setter couple

once they decided to tie the knot. About 100 invitations were sent out to

canine lovers and eminent people of the town,the Mall was selected as the

marriage venue and Michael, originally from the US but currently a volunteer

at the Darjeeling Carnival, was asked to officiate the ceremony.

 

On Sunday, Murphy- almost handsome in an elegant black coat- took the solemn

vow(read out by Michael on his request) to sniff and dig with Irish, and

Irish only, to share his squeaky toys and rawhides with her and to take long

walks together in the park. He also promised to be faithful to her and let

her have the last nibble at the meal, no matter how tasty it was. He vowed

to bark at cats, squirrels and protect her from the mailman. " And so,

throughout our lives, no matter, what may lie ahead of us or buried in the

yard neneath our paws, I pledge to you my life as loving and faithful

spouse, " he assured Irish.

 

Dressed in a pink gown, Irish demurely nodded her consent when Michael asked

her whether she accepted Murphy as her man, to sniff and cuddle until death

did them apart. Then with the exchange of dog collars, the two were declared

husband and wife amidst wags and growls from their furry friends.

 

As Irish and Murphy left for Kalimpong on Monday to start a new life, the

bride's relatives bade her tearful goodbye. She parted with a sad look as

the 'just married' sign on their vehicle glowed under the afternoon sun.

 

After the couple left to live happily ever after; Michael said the wedding

had been an experience of a lifetime for everyone who was present. A dog

show prior to the ceremony had ensured canine guests in large numbers, he

added.

 

Sandeep Lakhotia, secretary of HELP, said: " Irish and Murphy are the only

two Irish Setters in entire North bengal. Their marriage will bring in anew

generation of Irish setters in the region. "

 

Father of the bride Vikram Rai was overwhelmed. " I am happy that Irish has

found a new home and a good family, but tat the same time I feel a part of

me is lost forever, " he said. On the other hand, Dr Sanjay Gurung, a vet

and the owner of Murphy, said he was overjoyed to have a new member in the

family. " I am really happy to have Irish with us. I hope she is able to

adjust in Kalimpong, " he said.

On why it was a Christian wedding despite the fact that both the bride and

the groom's families were Hindus, Gurung said : " Murphy is of Irish breed,

so the ceremony had to be Western. " Sanjay also expressed his happiness over

his new relation with Vikram. " We had been friends for years, but now we

have become relatives, " he chuckled.

 

amitavab_ht