Joy for happy pair and SPCA

Poppy and Toto's wedding this weekend comes after a four-year relationship during which neither has strayed. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

After four years and four pups, canine couple tie the knot and raise some cash

The nervous bride twirls around in circles in her lounge, barking orders at her husband-to-be, who follows her anxious pacing with an adoring gaze.

The couple are to be married this weekend after what has been a whirlwind two months of preparation.

The celebrant has been prepared, the caterer has whipped up delights for the guests and the professional wedding photographer is at the ready.

Tomorrow, friends and family will witness them make a lifelong commitment to each other.

But this will be no ordinary wedding.

It is the wedding of Poppy and Toto - two Pomeranian dogs.

The "tongue in cheek" event is being held to raise money for the Tauranga SPCA at Waipuna Park in Welcome Bay.

The idea came from the owner of the bride Poppy, Maree Hudson, a 46-year-old school relief teacher.

For four years, Toto has made frequent visits from his home in Thames with Ms Hudson's parents to Poppy's home in Welcome Bay.

Toto and Poppy's romance has blossomed into a "monogamous and faithful" relationship and they have raised four pups of their own.

Toto had been approached by other "women", Ms Hudson said, but had never been tempted to stray.

"I just thought they had been together for four years and had puppies and it was time they got married," Ms Hudson said.

Ms Hudson approached the Tauranga SPCA and since then the idea has snowballed to gain the support of more than 30 local businesses. It was hoped up to $5000 would be raised for the Tauranga SPCA through donations from guests.

The couple will be pulled down the aisle in a wagon by a St Bernard.

Open to the whole community, the event will have a dog parade, an auction for the wedding cake, a bouncy castle, ice cream, face painting and spot prizes.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES