KCCI archives: Des Moines dogs get hitched in show of true puppy love

It. All the guests had arrived. Everything was perfect. The food, the cake decorated, of course, with *** couple in mind. The big moment only minutes away. The groom, Dutch Holloweger, was understandably nervous. So was the bride PJ von Blogger. They were pacing, getting *** glimpse of the wedding gifts. There is no backing out now. The marriage license has been signed and the final moment. Dutch wilt thou take this dam to comfort and protect so long as ye both shall live. Please mark. And nothing would be complete without the family portrait. The father of the bride says the event was inevitable. The dogs have been dating for several years. However, the dogs are honeymooning in *** condominium. In West Des Moines. And was PJ ready for the big night? I think Dutch was too. Yeah. Todd Magele, TV 8 News at 10. No, I don’t think.

Talk about puppy love.It was April 1, 1983 when Todd Magel, still just a rookie reporter for KCCI, covered his first — and still only — dog wedding. It involved 9-year-old Airedale groom Dutch Hollwager, who wore a bow tie and dress pants held up by suspenders, and 4-year-old P.J. von Boeselager, a poodle bride who wore a white tutu.The elaborate April Fool’s Day event was planned and carried out just like any other south of Grand wedding of the time, with a two-tiered wedding cake, gifts and a marriage license.Watch the video above for more coverage of the doggone good wedding.The Hollwager and von Boeselager families said the dogs had been “dating” for several years, so it was time they settled down. “Father” Gene Zefron, a sales manager in Des Moines, officiated the ceremony.» Subscribe to KCCI’s YouTube page» Download the free KCCI app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayMore from the KCCI ArchivesRETRO KCCI: Look back at Ringling Bros. 1981 circus at Vets Auditorium in Des MoinesRETRO FIND: Adorable dog and duck are BFFsKCCI archives: Stevie Wonder once performed for children at Blank Park ZooKCCI Archive: 1993 was the summer of strange weather

DES MOINES, Iowa —

Talk about puppy love.

It was April 1, 1983 when Todd Magel, still just a rookie reporter for KCCI, covered his first — and still only — dog wedding.

It involved 9-year-old Airedale groom Dutch Hollwager, who wore a bow tie and dress pants held up by suspenders, and 4-year-old P.J. von Boeselager, a poodle bride who wore a white tutu.

The elaborate April Fool’s Day event was planned and carried out just like any other south of Grand wedding of the time, with a two-tiered wedding cake, gifts and a marriage license.

Watch the video above for more coverage of the doggone good wedding.

The Hollwager and von Boeselager families said the dogs had been “dating” for several years, so it was time they settled down. “Father” Gene Zefron, a sales manager in Des Moines, officiated the ceremony.

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