Dog 'Wedding' Raises Hundreds for Charity on National Puppy Day: 'A Happy, Funny Experience'

Two Shiba Inus had a celebration of their love in Madison, Wisconsin, to help other dogs and remember a beloved friend

Though the venue — aptly called the Boneyard — was covered with snow, it was still a beautiful day in Madison, Wisconsin, for Shiba Inu dog pals Suki and Ron, who “married” in a ceremony on March 23, National Puppy Day.

“It was a wonderful, happy, funny experience,” says Suki’s owner Erika Eisman, 45. “Both dogs said, ‘I Roo!’ ”

The pups met online during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeing each other on a Shiba Prom Zoom.

"His charming, forlorn-sweet facial expression warmed her heart," says Eisman of Ron. Though she and Suki are Madison residents and Ron and his family live in Columbus, Ohio, the dogs "are going to continue their long-distance romance," Eisman adds.

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Shiba Prom is an all-volunteer organization based in Chicago that has raised more than $100,000 to support Shiba Inu dogs rescued from unfavorable situations since 2012.

At Suki and Ron's wedding, supporters and friends were remembering Alisa Gaylon, a founding member and former board treasurer of Shiba Prom, who died from cancer in January.

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"It was so incredibly said," says Eisman. "We wanted to honor her memory. In 2013, she held an in-person dog wedding for her Shiba, Zenji, at a fundraiser for a local Shiba rescue. That's how we got the idea to do a dog wedding, and raise money for Shiba Prom."

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Though hearts were heavy, the mood was light at the wedding, as Suki walked down the aisle to "She's Your Queen" from the movie Coming to America, wearing a dress with a lace bodice, tulle and satin skirt and lace veil, complemented with a faux diamond necklace. Suki's littermate Mika served as maid of honor, standing by her side in a pink dog dress.

Shiba Prom president Shannon Andreas drove in from central Pennsylvania and officiated the ceremony, which included a traditional Jewish breaking of the glass and a rousing "Muzzle Tov!"

Treats included homemade “pupcakes” from local store Petphoria, and "shots" of bone broth. The party continued with playtime at a local dog park.

Says Eisman: “It was a huge success.”

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