The Marriage of Franny and Ozzy

Two dogs, bound by love

Walking back to my house with our dog Pearl, I saw my oldest daughter running up to me. She was more than excited. She carried a notebook with some 8-year-old writing in it.

“Daddy, Daddy! We’re going to have a wedding for Ozzy and Franny! Here’s what I’m reading, too!”

Ozzy and Franny are our neighbor’s dogs.

Mae, our neighbor Mae, who we affectionately call big Mae, told me, “We caught Ozzy humping Franny so now they need to get married.”

I have two girls, Frances and Mabel. Frances’ two friends, Mae and Alli were with her. Alli had written the script for the wedding and they chose Frances to read it, Mabel would be the flower girl, and Pearl would be the ring bearer.

They spent 3 days exchanging fancy shoes and outfits, getting make-up ready, gathering flowers from their parent’s flower beds, and putting them in a basket for Mabel to toss on the wedding day. It was quite a production: more of their friends were invited, and parents came to support the wedding—one parent started playing Canon in D on her iPhone while Franny was walking down the aisle with her owner. We all stood and watched as she was. Then, Frances, confidently, began her pronouncements:

“We are gathered here to celebrate the comings of Franny and Ozzy’s wedding. Ozzy Klooster, do you take Franny Lee Fennema to be your woefully wedded wife? Franny Lee Fennema, do you take Ozzy Klooster to be your handsome husband? Now you may lick!”

One year ago, Frances wouldn’t have done this. Two years ago she would’ve walked off and probably begun to cry. Her confidence and belief in herself were amazing to see, in front of all those people. I would never have done that at her age—I could barely do it today without having a reserved and self-conscious voice. But she could've cared less—it’s like those things no longer existed. She was brave.

I’m amazed at her, and I’m amazed at Mabel—she’s a spunky little thing whose confidence will grow with her. It’s how her mother raised her, mostly. I suppose I played a part, too.

---

I’ve been put on personal leave from my job. Unexpectedly. Things went sideways and they happened quickly, although they progressed slowly. I’m not sure that makes sense. I’m in the first stages of writing about it here: No_Win. I hope it will be therapeutic, and cause me joy. Things are still progressing—more steps will be taken.

But there already is joy, all around us. There are dog weddings.

Just look for them, and make them happen.