Two devoted pensioners have renewed their wedding vows – with a DOG as their bridesmaid.
Lovebirds Stan and Christine Earl first tied the knot on January 18, 1996 but have now held a second ceremony at their nursing home.
The couple, of Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, used Suki the lurcher cross in a special role of bridesmaid – dressed with a handmade flower garland round her neck.
Four-year-old Suki is owned by the couple’s friend Kath Whiffen and was a regular visitor to the couple’s home.
Mr Earl, 92, who has 22 great grandchildren said: “We love Suki and thought it would be wonderful to have her as our bridesmaid dog.
“She did a great job – and even got a bit of wedding cake as a reward.”
The couple, who have both been married before, first met when Mrs Earl, 72, took up ballroom dancing and was looking for a dance partner.
Over the years the couple have enjoyed dancing across the UK as well as many holidays.
But Mr Earl’s health took a turn for the worse earlier this year when he was diagnosed with lung cancer.
The devastating diagnosis spurred him to ask his wife of 20 years to renew their vows.
Mr Earl has recently moved to Beaufort Hall Care Home.
Mrs Earl said: “After he was diagnosed he turned to me and said he wanted to renew our vows. It was something which came completely out of the blue.
“It was such a special day for us.”
The pair celebrated with a glass of wine and a cake adorned with flowers made by staff at Beaufort Hall.
Mr Earl said: “Christine is an amazing woman. She is always there when I need her to talk to and comfort me and always has the right words.”
