Mascotas sirven como testigos de boda en Ecuador

A couple in Ecuador had their dog act as the witness during their civil wedding ceremony, complete with a paw print signature.

Por qué esta historia importa ahora

In Ecuador’s latest census, it was found that of its 19 million people, 7.6 million have dogs and cats as pets. This number is almost double the number of children aged 12 or under.

El contexto que mueve la conversación

Now, Ecuadoran officials seem to be embracing the country’s love for pets by allowing “pet friendly” weddings. One couple, Diana Tupiza and Andres Alquinga, decided to have their Pekingese, Luna, act as a witness.

Qué puede pasar después

Andres came up with the idea himself, and Diana approved of it. According to AFP , Diana’s mother was less enthused, telling them “it’s better to choose someone who knows what they’re signing,” but eventually she warmed to the idea. She even manufactured a pink tulle gown for Luna to wear for the ceremony.

Lectura rápida para la comunidad

After the ceremony, Luna stamped her paw on the “symbolic marriage certificate” in a box that read “Paw print of your furry friend”, along with the signatures of the couple and the other human witnesses.

The paw print has no legal standing, but the gesture must hold sentimental value for some as, since May, more than 50 Ecuadoran couples have decided to be wed in front of their pets.

Diana told AFP that it was “really spectacular” to have Luna with them. Andres said that pets “may not be able to speak to us, or give us advice, but they are there to give us all the love that they have.”

For more on dogs, check out our coverage of the oldest dog DNA ever found revealing 16,000 years of human companionship , or the dog who shot a woman with a shotgun .