The happiness of a newlywed couple was soon replaced with sorrow when the couple’s dog, who had attended the wedding, passed away later that day after being left in a hot van for two hours by kennel personnel.
Ffion James, 30, and Ben Hill, 31, exchanged vows on Friday, inviting their pug, Luna, as a special guest to their confetti walk.
Following their wedding, the happy couple stood for pictures holding hands while the groom carried their cherished dog.
However, Luna passed away just a few hours after the happy pictures were taken.
‘I’m really devastated and still can’t bring myself to look at the images,’ Ffion said today.
“It’s just too horrifying to think that while we were rejoicing, my Luna was dying in the back of a van.”
For Luna’s care while they enjoyed the remainder of their wedding day, the couple had reserved kennels.
But it took two hours before someone checked on her in the back of a van.
The newlyweds, who were planning to bring Luna along for their honeymoon, have suddenly decided against going because they are so angry.
The couple, of Preston, near Stevenage, Hertfordshire now want the kennels closed down.
They arranged for Luna to be picked up by Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs, in Baldock the day before.
It was one of the hottest days of the year so far with temperatures hitting 82F (28C).
‘The weather would have made the van unbearably hot, and I can’t imagine the suffering she must have gone through,’ Ffion said.
‘Everyone who knows us knows that we adored our little Luna and we are completely traumatised that we have lost her too soon.
‘But also in such a horrific and unimaginable way. She was our baby, best friend and entire world.
‘We can’t believe she is gone and what should have been the best weekend of our lives is now ruined and a living nightmare.’
Country Boarding Cats and Dogs has apologised to the couple, saying the incident has left staff ‘heartbroken’.
But project coordinator Ffion added: ‘It’s not good enough just to say sorry.
‘We want everyone to know what happened and the kennels closed down in case it happens again.’
The couple have cancelled their honeymoon to Bath while they come to terms with their loss.
Renate Burrowes, who co-owns Country Boarding for Cats and Dogs with her husband Jeremy said: ‘On Friday, July 8, an incident happened in which a dog died in our care, which has devastated us all here at Country Boarding.
‘We care deeply for all the animals we look after and to have something like this happen has left us completely heartbroken.
‘We wanted to provide more details here so customers know exactly what happened and so you know what we’ve done to ensure something like this can never happen again.
‘Jeremy picked little Luna up from her owners’ wedding venue and brought her back to the kennels at 3pm.
‘When he arrived back he was urgently called in to fix a system issue which was affecting customers in reception.
‘This distracted Jeremy from notifying a staff member to come and collect the dog, as would be the normal procedure.
‘Two hours later, I found Luna in the van at 5pm.
‘I found she was unresponsive at that time despite trying, I could not revive her.
‘I cradled her and held her, and with the help of a member of staff laid her in a dog bed.’
She added: ‘We were so heartbroken for this little dog and so wished for her to come alive again.
‘Those sorts of miracles seldom happen, and so my next thought concerned her owners.
‘I tried to contact them without success and several messages were left. It was their wedding day which of course is also what has made this all the more so upsetting.
‘I felt it necessary to wait with Luna here at the kennels overnight, in case any of my messages were picked up and the owner wanted to come straight away.
‘We made contact in the morning and the owners came within the hour to pick up their dog.
‘Since then, we have been in contact with the owners about the next steps, which is a private matter and whilst we know we can’t bring Luna back, we will work with them to ensure we help and support them in any way we can.
‘Whilst it sounds an unimaginable mistake to make, humans make mistakes and all we can do now is learn from this incident.
‘The blame for this incident lies entirely with us, as the business owners and not with our wonderful employees.’