JSL hosts pet wedding of the season.
Before their first look with owners Audrey Demak on left and Jean Lutren on right.
Puppy love filled the air on a recent dog day afternoon at Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit’s Meer Apartments in West Bloomfield. On Aug. 19, Simba, a handsome, easy-going, 8-year-old cockapoo belonging to Meer resident Jean Lutren, and Shelby, a 10-year-old poodle/Shih Tzu/Maltese-mix belonging to Meer resident Audrey Demak, got married in a Jewish-themed wedding before a “pawsitively” packed audience of more than 75 residents and staff of the independent living community.
Shelby
The cute canine companions met when they started taking Saturday strolls together with their owners. Soon, Simba started woofing (er, wooing) Shelby, who reciprocated by coyly nudging Simba to enjoy a nightcap from her water bowl. The long walks led to nightly nuzzles and the two furry, four-legged pets decided it was time to keep each other on a short leash.
Simba
It was then that their wedding coordinator (as well as maid of honor) Jenni Galazka, program coordinator of Meer Apartments, sprang into action to plan each doggone detail of the whiskered wedding.
Harpist Michele Roger
Harpist Michele Roger provided beautiful background music, and Marcia Mittelman, a Meer Apartments administrator, served as the officiant. Meer resident Margaret Pathak was the flower girl, and the dogs’ owners wore sparkly crowns and carried bouquets as they walked their fur babies down the aisle.
Shelby was radiant in her crocheted wedding dress with tulle skirt, pearls and black bow, and Simba looked dapper in his tuxedo vest and crocheted yarmulka.
The Chuppah was held by Meer resident Fred Krainen and Josh Kolc, a member of JSL’s maintenance staff. Shelby and Simba’s vows were written by the participants in Meer’s creative writing class. Demak broke the glass at the end of the ceremony, and the residents kvelled and applauded the happy couple.
Packaged puppy treats were passed out as wedding favors and, afterward, a celebratory dinner was held, with live music by the popular Detroit Klezmer group Klezundheit. In lieu of gifts, the pups and their parents asked guests to donate to Michigan Humane and raised more $400.
The icing on the cute canine wedding cake? The adorable nuptials were featured on People magazine’s website and social media pages, as well as numerous other national and international media outlets.
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