SWNSWhoever said a groom’s best man can’t be man’s best friend?
When 69-year-old Christopher McCarron tied the knot with fiancee Margaret Allison, 56, this week, the best man was actually the best dog – a rottweiler named Jack – from the dog rescue centre where the couple met.
According to Christopher, Jack actually ‘recused’ him, when he adopted the dog after the death of his son, Chris Jr, who sadly died three years ago aged 43.
SWNSIn the wake of his son’s death, Chris sold his business and also went through a divorce. He hoped that getting a dog might help him recover from his grief, and was immediately won over by Jack, who had been at the Dog’s Trust centre in West Calder for nine months.
And in a twist of fate, Chris met his new love, Margaret, while out walking Jack at the rescue centre – and promised to keep her updated on his pet’s progress.
Romance blossomed and the newlyweds now consider Jack, aged around six years old, to be a part of their family.
You can watch footage from their big dog day here:
Speaking about their wedding day, Chris said:
We had a lovely sentimental day, and Jack played a big part. He loved it, he really did.
I wouldn’t have considered getting a rescue dog because of his age – he’s around six. But when he went up to me, we just clicked. Little did I know that I’d meet my future wife at the rescue centre too.
I don’t believe that I rescued Jack – I think he rescued me. When we decided to get married, Jack had to be there.
When Chris and Margaret met, they bonded over their shared love of dogs – and have seen Jack’s character transformed since he’s been living in a loving home.
Jack spent most of his life as a guard dog, cooped up in a kennel, and Chris was warned that he should not be allowed to play with other dogs when he adopted Jack in 2015.
Both Chris and Margaret believe that Rottweilers have unfairly got a bad reputation as a breed, and should be given a second chance.
SWNSMargaret said:
When Chris said ‘I do’, Jack sneezed, as if to say ‘I do too’. He was a star – he posed for all the pictures.
The registrar said it was the first time he’d seen a dog being the best man. We did think about Jack carrying a cushion with a ring. He had his wee tuxedo on but he went in the garden and got a bit mucky.
Chris and Margaret are both divorcees and live in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. Chris has three children as well as his late son, Chris Jnr, and five grandchildren. Margaret has three children and four grandchildren.
The ceremony was very small with 15 guests including staff from the Dog’s Trust, and the couple went out for a meal in the evening to celebrate.
Chris added: ‘This is our family now – me, Margaret and Jack.’
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Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.