When most couples think about their wedding venue, they imagine beaches, chapels, or elegant gardens. But for Yang and Zhao, their dream wedding looked a little different: it had over 200 dogs wagging their tails in attendance.
In May, the Chinese couple said their vows at the Tianjin Animal Safe Haven shelter, a place that holds deep meaning for them both. Surrounded by about 300 volunteers and the shelter’s resident dogs, the celebration was nothing short of extraordinary.
Instead of a traditional carpet, a long red sheet created an aislthrough rows of kennels, each decorated with the red Chinese character for happiness. And just when the moment couldn’t get more heartwarming, one of the dogs, affectionately nicknamed Xiao Bai (Little White), stepped forward, wagged its tail, and bowed to the couple—completely untrained.
“The furkids know they now have a dad and mum,” one volunteer said during the ceremony. Others praised Yang’s journey, recognizing the hardships he endured to build the shelter from the ground up.
Yang’s path began after his construction business collapsed in 2020, leaving him with only 23 yuan to his name. Motivated by a childhood memory of losing five puppies to illness, he poured his heart into rescuing strays. Since then, he’s personally invested more than 400,000 yuan into the shelter while keeping a full-time job to support it all.
Zhao entered his life in 2022 as a university student. She started as a shelter volunteer, helping with baths, vet visits, and even donating her part-time job earnings. Her selflessness and dedication touched Yang deeply.
“I admired her love for animals, her calmness, and how proactive she was,” Yang shared. Zhao, equally moved by Yang’s devotion, said his unwavering care for the dogs won her heart.
Their wedding was not only a celebration of love between two people but also a tribute to their shared mission. With hundreds of dogs and humans cheering them on, their union was a shining moment in a journey defined by compassion and resilience.
Now that’s what you call a truly paw-fect love story.
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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.
Toledo, United States.