Dogs $5,000 Wedding Sparks Criticism

By Sami K. Martin, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, April 25, 2012

You could say that these two dogs finally had their day. Scruffy Rubin and Snickers Carter were given a $5,000 wedding this weekend at the behest of their owners, Ernie and Ann.

The two dogs were "married" in California, with several friends, including those of the canine variety, in attendance. Scruffy and Snickers both had attendants in their wedding party and, in lieu of gifts, friends were instructed to make donations to the Orphan Pet Oasis Humane Society of the Desert.

"In planning this event, Ernie and Ann wanted to make sure that a charity was involved and they felt strongly about what we do at the society," representative Jennifer Hamilton told AZCentral.com.

"This whole thing just took on a life of its own and kept growing and growing," Scruffy's owner Ernie Rubin said. "But that was okay because the donations we collected for the shelter were just amazing."

"When I heard about the event I was ecstatic," family friend June Berke commented. "I thought 'what a brilliant way to raise money for a charity.' I hope this will enlighten people who take on a pet to realize that they are more than just an animal, they are a lifetime toddler."

But the wedding is not without controversy. Readers have commented that spending $5,000 on a "wedding" for dogs is extravagant and perhaps not a good example during the economic recession.

"We are in the worst recession ever and these idiot[s] throw away $5,000 on a dog wedding…" Lancer wrote on Yahoo!'s page.

"They could have donated the $5,000 to the humane society," user Jaime noted. While some funds did in fact go to the Humane Society, as Jaime pointed out, the original $5,000 used to throw the wedding could have been donated as well.

"Really? Some people's excesses never cease to amaze me," OldSchool posted. "What planet are these [people] from?"

There are those, though, who fully support the dogs' gathering and fundraising efforts, noting that there was nothing wrong about having a good time for a good cause.