{"id":2803,"date":"2015-02-13T17:22:07","date_gmt":"2015-02-13T17:22:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/pets\/unconditional-love-abides-exchanging-vow-wow-wows-at-animal-companion-village-2\/"},"modified":"2015-02-13T17:22:07","modified_gmt":"2015-02-13T17:22:07","slug":"unconditional-love-abides-exchanging-vow-wow-wows-at-animal-companion-village-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/pets\/unconditional-love-abides-exchanging-vow-wow-wows-at-animal-companion-village-2","title":{"rendered":"Unconditional Love Abides: Exchanging Vow-Wow-Wows at Animal Companion Village"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On Aug. 2, 2013, Genny and Gary Dunn got married at a simple outdoor ceremony, with 35 friends and family members in attendance. A small combo played quiet, soft music as the best man, dapper and dignified in a gray bowtie, smiled and wagged his tail mightily.<\/p>\n

The best man\u2019s name is Jones, and he\u2019s the couple\u2019s rescued dog. And the nuptial union took place on the gazebo-like overhang on the spcaLA lawn at the P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village.<\/p>\n

\"Best<\/p>\n

Photographs courtesy of Genny and Gary Dunn.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u201cJones was absolutely handsome,\u201d Gary said. \u201cWe had a friend of mine from Wilson and his small band sing songs that were important to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Dunns selected the spcaLA as the ceremony venue after realizing that they wanted their wedding in the form of a meaningful celebration of love. \u201cWe started looking for a place to get married, and when you start looking at what you spend for a traditional wedding, prices are astronomical for something that may last about five or six hours,\u201d Gary said. \u201cThe average wedding today is about $28,000, and my wife and I thought, boy, we don\u2019t want to do something that expensive and that much of an event.\u201d The Dunns decided that the huge sum of money that they would have spent on dinner, drinks, a DJ and all the rest of the embellishments could go toward making a difference in the lives of others\u2014in their case, the pets at the spcaLA.<\/p>\n

The Dunns have always been huge animal lovers and regularly donate to the spcaLA. Jones was a multiplayer rescue but not from the shelter or the spcaLA\u2014he landed (quite literally, I have to add) on their laps.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe got him when we were having lunch on Second Street,\u201d Dunn said. \u201cA man was walking by with a little dog, and my wife said, \u2018Your dog\u2019s so cute!\u2019 The man said, \u2018Do you want him?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

The man\u2019s wife had found the dog as a stray in Oakland. Before he relinquished him to the shelter, he decided to try his luck at the popular Belmont Shore shopping destination. Luckily for the dog, the Dunns are ready-made forever-home people and not folks who\u2019d grab him up on a whim and then abandon him again. And Genny and Gary know they\u2019re pretty lucky, too.<\/p>\n

\u201cJones just became such a part of our life,\u201d Gary said. \u201cFrom being a couple who was on the fence about rescuing a dog, this turned out to be the best thing we\u2019ve ever done. There are some things you can\u2019t prepare yourself for, but if you jump in with both feet, it turns out to be a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Bride<\/p>\n

The Dunns also made sure to get Jones neutered.<\/em><\/p>\n

And when Genny and Gary decided to celebrate their love, they included animals in their embrace, and their best friend took a principal role in the ceremony. Gary said that they kept the event small so as not to be disruptive to the spcaLA or shelter pets.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t ask for gifts, but we did have a website for people to provide donations to the spcaLA,\u201d Gary said. We also gave them a donation for being allowed to use their facility.\u201d<\/p>\n

What could be a better Valentine\u2019s Day love story for an animal column? Or for any couple who wants to share their love and mutual passion in a meaningful way?<\/p>\n

\"Tile<\/p>\n

~ \u201cMy heart is ever at your service.\u201d
<\/i>William Shakespeare, as said by Mooch, Earl and the other loveable denizens of Mutts Comics<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n

The spcaLA<\/a> and Long Beach Animal Care Services<\/a> share the Pitchford Village. Click on the links to donate to either facility.<\/i><\/p>\n

Virtually Pets<\/h3>\n

P. D. Pitchford Companion Animal Village, the building where Genny and Gary Dunn had their wedding ceremony houses both spcaLA<\/a> and ACS<\/a>, our shelter. There are wonderful pets waiting for forever homes at both facilities\u2014in fact, the two entities have a strategic partnership. The spcaLA takes in many of the pets brought in to the shelter, and you can adopt from either one.<\/p>\n

ACS and spcaLA are located at 7700 E. Spring St. in Long Beach. Each has its own entrance.<\/p>\n

\"spcaLA\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

SpcaLA Pets<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"BubblesspcaLA\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bubbles <\/strong>is a stray pit bull mix whose previous owner never reclaimed her. She\u2019s 7 years old and has a big smile. She\u2019s been socialized and ready to go to a forever home. Meet her at the spcaLA entrance. Ask for ID#15-01776.<\/p>\n

\"Mary<\/p>\n

Mary Jane<\/strong>\u2014<\/strong>she\u2019s one dank kitty. She\u2019s 3 years old and is jonesing for an excellent life with a good bud. Ask for ID#15-02433.<\/p>\n

\"ACS\"<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

ACS Pets<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"KashACS\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kash<\/strong> is a gorgeous spaniel that has one thing in mind\u2014play. After that, she\u2019s ready to settle down for some love. Kash is a year and a half and would love to be someone\u2019s lady. Ask for ID# A529610.<\/p>\n

\"BellaACS\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

Bella <\/strong>lives up to her name. A most beautiful creature, she\u2019s a year old with a quiet temperament. She has a bonded brother, Smokey, <\/strong>who would be a wonderful companion. If two\u2019s company for you, ask for ID#A541224 for Bella and ID#A541222 for Smokey.<\/p>\n

\"Hansel<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hansel <\/strong>and Gretel <\/strong>are two foundlings lucky enough to have been taken to a rescuer. Pit bull puppies abound because their parents don’t get fixed, and the puppies are abandoned or sold and then abandoned. When a pittie is raised with love, they grow up loving. If you’re interested in adopting these two and giving them names they won’t be embarrassed about in school, e-mail deborah@wheelywilly.com. <\/p>\n

Pet Projects<\/h3>\n

Friends of Long Beach Animals Humane Education Program, Free, Ongoing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friends of Long Beach Animals<\/a> (FOL) stands by its word when it says it actively supports teaching children kindness to and respect for animals. FOLBA has provided several copies of humane books to all of the libraries in the Long Beach Unified School District, all the Public Libraries in Long Beach and Signal Hill, as well as to Raising-a-Reader and to Mary Bethune Transitional Center (assisting homeless children who need reading improvement so they can attend regular LBUSD classes). This interactive humane education program is free to all schools in the Long Beach Unified School District, Girl and Boy Scout Troops, Long Beach Parks and Libraries and Community Groups. Basic elements of the program are as follows:<\/p>\n

Humane treatment of all living creatures<\/p>\n