Paris the smallest pup but my biggest challenge

Paris has been my smallest and most challenging dog to date. She is a beautiful, very small but mighty Chihuahua and was not my friend when we had our initial meet and greet.  I was assured by her family that she would warm up to me, but after three meetings the mighty Paris was not changing her mind.

Despite her bark I could see that Paris was a very sweet girl and it was just the anxiety of meeting new people that made her react.  We discussed the wedding day at length and how we could manage Paris’s barking and anxiety on what was going to be a loud and busy wedding day.

The venue was perfect with lots of quiet areas that we could escape to if it all became too much on the day.  I met the bride and groom with Paris at the venue before the wedding so that she could get a feel for the surroundings. We had a calm walk in the gardens, whilst her humans were sorting out the last few details of their wedding day.

As I arrived at the venue on the big day I could hear Paris making herself known. I scooped her up and her barking immediately stopped.  She nestled into me as if she knew that I would be her safe place and person for the day.  We made a little camp in the bar with her bed and water and she happily took in her surroundings with lots of cuddles, whilst we waited for the ceremony to begin. 

We had time before the ceremony to have a quiet walk in the garden and then it was Paris’s time to shine.  I changed her from her harness to a pearl collar and wedding dress for her big moment as ring bearer.  

We were all expecting her to bark all the way down the aisle whilst delivering the rings, but Paris took it all in her stride, happily strutting alongside the Maid of Honour up to the end of the aisle and back again, with great confidence and no barking. 

I collected her at the door and we went back to our quiet spot in the bar whilst the ceremony concluded.  Paris surprised us all by how she adapted to the day, she fell asleep in my arms whilst we waited for the drinks reception to get underway and then she happily took part in the photographs with her family.

I kept an eye on Paris all day, assessing her body language and making sure she wasn’t put into any situations that she would find stressful.  The only time Paris barked was during the photographs when everyone cheered, like she was just joining in the celebrations.

Once Paris’s photo moment was complete we made our exit and I took her home for her dinner. I had a very tired pup who slept on the back seat all the way home.

This wedding showed me that despite not warming up to me at the initial meet and greet, on the day a dog can find it’s safe place with a calm companion.  Tailoring the day to Paris also helped her stay calm and relaxed, we didn’t ask her to do anything that would be uncomfortable for her, which allowed her true personality to shine through.

Congratulations Rutendo, Prince and Paris.