Fundraiser canine wedding sets tails wagging!

The Lido House hotel on the waterfront of Lido Isle in Newport Beach was a storybook setting for a recent, classic wedding ceremony and reception. Sea breezes wafted in from the channel, carrying sensations of bliss and contentment. Guests in fancy dresses and tuxedos sipped champagne and awaited the happy couple’s march down the aisle on the lawn. A violinist played as the groom, dressed in a tux and a natty bowler, walked majestically toward the officiant in anticipation of his beautiful bride, a vision in a lacy, white gown.

Together at the altar, the couple listened as the vows were read. Then, the bride gave the groom a giant smooch, turned to her escort, and lovingly and repeatedly licked her on the arm.

“It was phenomenal!” said Lauren Campbell, president of Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA). “Nobody peed or pooped or barked or misbehaved.”

On April 8, Dora and Onyx, two dogs from Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS), became “dog and dog” in a deluxe wedding at the boutique hotel. Planner Power, a nonprofit that connects event planners in a sense of community and advocacy, hosted the wedding as a fundraiser for FOLBA.

Planner Power organizes one fundraiser benefit every year as part of its function as a nonprofit. In 2025, residents of a senior living center enjoyed dinner and a casino night. This year, Campbell said, they wanted to plan a wedding and participate in it as well.

“They plan weddings, but they never get to enjoy them,” Campbell said. “They wanted to collaborate with a nonprofit and have fun at the wedding. Being animal lovers, they wanted to give back to an animal nonprofit. They contacted me because they knew I could bring the dogs.”

When Onyx met Dora …

Campbell and Alma Vera-Lima, LBACS shelter superintendent, selected Onyx as groom for his sweet disposition, his unfortunate distinction as the shelter’s longest-staying resident, and because he’d be an in-person — or -canine — example of how FOLBA helps animals. They chose Dora for her easygoing nature. They had a couple of meet-and-greets to make sure they’d get along. It was an instant case of puppy love for Dora.

“Onyx, on the other hand, played it cool,” shelter volunteer Patty Mysior said.

Campbell, Vera-Lima, Mysior and a couple of other volunteers held two wedding rehearsals and worked doggedly to be sure everything ran smoothly. Mysior threw a bachelor party for Onyx — as far as anyone knows, Dora didn’t get a wedding shower.

“If she did, it was dignified and it never made the tabloids,” Campbell said.

A delightful exchange of vow-wow-wows

The guests, mostly wedding planners themselves, had received classic, elegant invitations announcing a three-course dinner, drinks and a “Philanthropic Wedding,” with proceeds benefiting FOLBA. There was no mention of whose wedding it was, but the delight was audible when they found out.

“When the dogs came down the aisle, you could hear all the gasps and the ohhhh and ahhhs,” Campbell said. “One guest said, ‘This is epic!’”

Animal-community notables present among the guests included Campbell, Vera Limon, LBACS bureau manager Dr. Melanie “Dr. Wags” Wagner, FOLBA secretary Nona Acosta, LBACS media relations specialist Laura Amezcua Herrera, and animal advocate Jeannie Perales. Wendy Gutierrez from Long Beach Felines was warmly welcomed as an interspecies guest.

The ceremony went beautifully, as planned, with nary a squirrel spoiling the party. Shelter volunteers Ashley Craig and Patti Mysior were escorts for the bride and groom, respectively.

“I’ve known plenty of good dogs in my life, but Dora and Onyx took the cake!” Craig said. “They were both so well behaved and extremely good natured. Not all dogs are okay putting on clothes, a hat and a veil, but they both jumped right into the action. Both pups continued to be social, friendly and fun until the very last moment, even through the reception!”

Mysior has known Onyx and has been his best buddy practically since he arrived at LBACS. She helped him through a particularly emotional time when he was diagnosed with cancer in one of his hind legs and had to have the leg amputated. Onyx came through surgery with flying colors, but staff and volunteers, Mysior in particular, are still wiping sweat from their brows. It was only natural that Mysior should escort the groom.

“Onyx greeted guests and sniffed the beautiful flower arrangement on his way to the altar,” Mysior said. “He was chill! He lay down during his vows, but the minute they were over, he headed towards the crowd for pets. Many asked if it was okay to pet him, and my resounding reply was yes, please do! The valets loved him, asking so many questions about him and giving lots of pets. He loves people!”

After the reception, the guests sat down to a sumptuous meal and pledged donations to FOLBA. The guests took home goodie bags packed with animal-themed favors such as blankets, pet toys and sunglasses for dogs. FOLBA took home a big donation, and the newlyweds munched treats and planned their honeymoon, which included scritches from Dora’s favorite volunteers and Onyx’s foster as well as a very long nap.

The yappy couple hadn’t signed up on Chewy’s wedding registry, so there were no jeweled collars, his-and-hers dog bowls or faux-fur orthopedic dog beds on the gift table. The truth is, Dora and Onyx’s generous, loving natures want any gifts to go to their favorite charities: FOLBA, LBACS and, of course, Planner Power. Feel free to celebrate the wedding with a gift!

YOURS DROOLY

The best gift, wedding or otherwise, that any pet could get is a loving home. Want to send a pet on a honeymoon, either through fostering or a forever one as an adopter? Look no further than this fine bunch on the Long Beach Animal Care Services page. Check out the animals for the one who might be your sweetie-paws, and then email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call 562-570-4925. Better yet, meet them face to muzzle. Shelter hours are Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors).

Here are three loveable critters who want to spend forever with a special someone.

Dora (ID#A723213), our beautiful bride, is a sweet, easygoing girl of 7 years old. She’s sociable with everyone, be they person or pooch. Volunteer Patti took Dora on a bridal shopping spree at Long Beach Exchange to see how she’d handle crowds, and Dora “nailed it.” Busy sidewalks posed no challenge, and she was a class act at PetSmart — she didn’t strain on the leash at the approach of other dogs or humans and didn’t beg or whine at the treat baskets. She was comfortable in the car, especially on the drive to In-N-Out, where she enjoyed her Puppy Patty. She took to her fiancé, Onyx, right away, and if you want to adopt two dogs — well …

Handsome groom Onyx (ID#A735201) has the dubious distinction of being an LBACS long-stay legend. Those are dogs who’ve been at the shelter for over a year. Onyx in fact has lived at LBACS for way more than a year, but he has many positive distinctions: He’s young at heart at 7 years old and is affectionate and playful. He’s also a survivor. Recently, one of his hind legs swelled up, and he couldn’t use it. He was diagnosed with cancer in the leg and needed an amputation, which FOLBA helped pay for. That didn’t slow Onyx down, and as you’ve seen, he trotted down the aisle with no problem! He’s a shelter favorite and has found how great being a house dog is while staying in his foster home. Onyx would love to spend his forever in such a home, even if it turns out not to be possible to spend it with Dora!

Oliver (ID#A669321) and Jet (ID#A758729) could have attended the wedding if they’d wanted to, but cats generally prefer to avoid crowds. These two, however, weren’t in the mood for festivities anyway. Their human had passed away, and they were surrendered to LBACS because no one in the family offered to take them in. (Make sure you have a landing place for your pets in case you go before they do.) Oliver is 4 years old, sweet and friendly; Jet is 6 years old and a little nervous in his new surroundings. These two handsome, shiny, black cats have been “cooling their jets” waiting for something good to happen. They’ll be available for adoption on April 21. In the meantime, they're both healthy and eating well, and staff and volunteers are caring for and entertaining them. Fingers are crossed that they’ll get another chance at a happily-ever-after soon.

TAIL-WAGGIN' AND NOSE-BOOPIN' EVENTS

Long Beach’s Favorite Pet entries open

Your furry, feathered, scaly or shelled buddy has up to April 19 to nip you on the ankle and remind you to submit their photo and info to this great competition! Entries cost $10, which will be donated to Long Beach Animal Care Services. Information is available here. Contest is open to Long Beach residents only.

Pet Loss and Illness Support Group

The worst day in the life you share with a pet is the day you have to say goodbye forever. Grief is personal on the one hand, and on the other hand, you have a lot of company who get what you’re going through. Helen Sanders CatPAWS rescue gets it, too, and offers a space for anyone who also gets it, who’ll never say to you, “But it was just a cat.” Or a dog, or a rabbit, or a horse, or a goldfish. The members of this group will listen, connect, and support you, and you’ll do the same for them.

The Pet Loss and Illness Support Group takes place Saturday, April 18, 5100 E. The Toledo, Long Beach. No cost for the meeting, but let the leads know that you’re coming here.

Bunny Yoga

Join in on a sylvan stretch session hosted by the Sunshine Rabbit Center bunnies at Level Up Dance Studio! Enjoy a session of gentle yoga while rescue rabbits gambol around you and ask for pets while you enjoy your calming afternoon session. Yogis from 12 years old and up are welcome! Bring your water bottle, mat and your phone to snap lots of pictures!

Bunny Yoga takes place Saturday, April 18, at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. at Level Up Dance Studio, 3202 E. Willow St., Signal Hill. Tickets $25 each. Registration and more information here.

National Cat Lady Day Celebration

The term “cat lady” is no longer taken on as a slur or a taunt even if it’s meant as one, and good for us! Cat ladies — men, too, who love cats call themselves cat ladies or at least cat dads — are people to celebrate, and that’s exactly what the Feline Good Social Club will do this month! Put on your black pants with the shed fur all over the seat and legs, and join in the fun at Long Beach’s first cat lounge. There, you’ll be in cat-lady heaven as over 40 sweet and adoptable cats swarm all over you. You can have your photo taken at the photo booth and cement your status as an official cat lady. More info and ticket sales here! Please don’t bring your own cat—you can always adopt one from Feline Good Social Club!

The National Cat Lady Day Celebration takes place April 26, noon–5 p.m., at the Feline Good Social Club, 301 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach. Ticket prices $30.

Need a low-cost veterinarian, information about trapping community cats, places to volunteer, pet food, veterinary assistance, rescues and shelters to adopt from — anything pet related? Follow this link for resources. Please add your own ideas in the Comments section.