2 dog owners marry after their pets fall in love [PHOTOS]

oge okonkwo

August 14, 2015 12:39 PM

The guide dogs, Venice and Rodd, took the happy couple through the service and even acted as ring-bearers

The happy couple have now tied the knot

Two guide dog owners have exchanged marital vows after a chance meeting between their pets helped them find 'true love'.

50-yr-old Claire Johnson and 51-yr-old Mark Gaffey, got married in Barlaston, Stoke-on-Trent, after their pooches became infatuated with each other at training two years ago.

The guide dogs, Venice and Rodd, took the happy couple through the service and even acted as ring-bearers.

The newlyweds met in 2012 on a two-week guide dog training course.\

According to Irish Mirror, it became apparent that Rodd and Venice had fallen head-over-paws in love, playing and nuzzling together throughout the training.

The bride said: "I have no doubt that our guide dogs brought us together and helped me find my true love. Much like our two guide dogs, we really are best friends and soulmates."

She added: "Our dogs were the class love story. Everyone used to joke about how Mark's dog Rodd and my dog Venice were meant to be together."

When training came to an end, their lives had changed forever.

Now partnered with guide dogs, they began their new life of independence and, as the couple could not bring themselves to split the two Labrador-Retrievers, they agreed to meet for playdates.

With only 1.5 miles separating the couple, coffee dates soon turned into lunch dates, and eventually the foursome became devoted to each other.

After enjoying a whirlwind romance, Mr Gaffey popped the question and asked Ms Johnson to marry him on Valentine's Day last year.

oge okonkwo