A touching photo of a bride being comforted by her tutu-wearing yellow lab has taken over social media.
Bella is Valerie Parrott’s service dog, trained to help her owner through migraines, anxiety, and panic attacks. This sweet lab can sense when Parrott’s heart rate begins to elevate, and offers her comfort in order to slow it down.
It’s no wonder that the bride needed her best friend by her side to calm her nerves on her wedding day.
South Dakota-based photographer Maddie Peschong of Mad Photo and Design captured the heartfelt moment, and its popularity has delivered thousands of views to the beautiful work she has posted on her website and Facebook page. This particular photo of Bella and Parrot has been viewed over one and a half million times on Imgur alone.
On January 14th, the pleasantly surprised part-time photographer posted on her Facebook page, “Woke up to the CRAZIEST, coolest thing: my photo is on the front page of reddit today!!! I’M LOSING MY MIND!! Check it out! (beautiful bride Valerie Rose Parrott).” In an article by USA TODAY, she said, “Suddenly, you’re thrust into the spotlight and you didn’t ask for it…It’s just crazy.”
As for newlywed MISSES Parrott, she has her own theory as to why so many people felt a connection with the photo. “I think it’s had such a positive effect because it captures such an amazing bond between a service dog and her handler,” she said in the USA TODAY article.
Parrott has a great point. Whether it’s a service dog or family pet (or rather, member), most pup owners would agree that their pooch is a “therapy dog” in his or her own way. Our canine companions make us laugh, comfort us when we’re down, and remind us not to take ourselves too seriously. Above all, they are a never-ending source of love.
“Without Bella, my life wouldn’t be the same, so it just made sense that she would be a part of mine and my husband’s big day,” said the beaming bride in the aforementioned article. We wholeheartedly agree. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Parrot, and beautiful bridesmaid Bella!
Special thanks to Maddie Peschong, who allowed us to share her beautiful photos along with this story! Video compilation by Humankind, part of the USA TODAY network.
