Dog gives away bride
2004-11-17 12:52
Eagan Williamson
Pretoria - When the minister asks who is giving away the bride, guests will hear a loud bark.
This is how Talitha Marais, 27, from Elardus Park in Pretoria will start her new life with Peet Nagel, 31, when the two tie the knot in December.
The couple decided that her guide dog, Tennessee, who has been at her side for years, should lead her to the altar. The bride's father died last year.
Marais has gradually lost her sight since her 16th birthday because of macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary blindness that causes tunnel vision.
At 21 she was totally blind.
Marais met Nagel at a take-away restaurant in Sunnyside four years ago.
"He first smooched up to Tennessee, probably to get to the hand holding the leash. It is wonderful, because the two of them have been friends since day one," she joked.
Marais has since recovered about 16% sight - just enough to be able to admire the champagne-and-white wedding gown that Pretoria designer Christiaan Ras designed for her.
She is grateful that she at least knows what her wedding dress looks like, even though she has to stand against the mirror in Ras' studio to be able to take a good look.
Ras has also been tasked with making Tennessee look like a dignified gentleman with a specially designed jacket for the "father" of the bride.
Everything has been arranged for the special day at the Irene country club, from the flowers to the wedding cake. Even Tennessee knows that when Marais says "speak", he must immediately respond with a loud bark.