Terminally ill dog becomes wedding witness for Colorado couple: 'She was part of our family'

A pair of Colorado newlyweds said their terminally ill dog, who has since passed away, served as a witness to their wedding. 

Randy and Alexandria Eckhart of Brighton got married in November 2024. 

The couple said having their 8-year-old dog, Bella Rose, at their wedding witness was an impromptu decision they made on the way to the Larimer County Clerk and Recorder's Office.

What they're saying:

"To have her as part of the wedding was a must, she was just that much a part of us/family," Alexandria told FOX Television Stations. "Bella was such a special dog who meant the world to us. She was amazingly smart, extremely well-behaved, and overall just the most perfect, best dog we could have ever imagined having."

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Bella Rose "signing" the couple's wedding certificate.  ( Alexandria Eckhart)

The backstory:

Alexandria said nothing seemed to be wrong with Bella Rose when she went for a veterinarian appointment in November before the couple was originally going to get married in New Mexico.  

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However, a blood test revealed "very elevated and concerning cancer-related numbers."

An ultrasound revealed Bella Rose had two masses on her adrenal glands and one large one on her liver. 

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The couple got married at the emergency veterinary hospital where Bella was staying and then held a ceremony with family and friends.  (Alexandria Eckhart)

One day, the couple came home and became increasingly worried. 

"I came home to find some odd gel like blood spots in a couple of places which we quickly felt were related to the cancerous tumors and became quite concerned," Randy said. 

The couple put Bella Rose on medication and canceled their New Mexico wedding plans due in part to a winter storm. 

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Bella Rose was taken to a doctor's office where the medical staff discovered that her kidneys were failing because of a reaction to one of the prescriptions and the chances of her survival were bleak. 

At the same time, the couple was looking to get their wedding license, but many nearby county offices were closed due to the winter storm. 

How it happened:

The couple was told the Larimer County offices were still open to get their wedding license. It was also close to where Bella was receiving medical care. 

"We decided right then and there, we’re doing this now/today knowing our little girl was still with us and this will keep her in our lives forever."

The couple then decided to hold their wedding at the emergency veterinary hospital where Bella was staying, so their dog attend their wedding and sign as a witness.  

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More photos of Bella with the couple.  (Alexandria Eckhart)

"We called CSU to see if they had an ink pad and if we could for sure do our signing with her there, and they were so excited and supportive of this for us," Randy added.

Bella stamped her paw on the wedding certificate. 

"It wasn’t what Alexandria dreamed of her whole life with being a bride and a special wedding, but she said it meant so much more she was able to have Bella there," Randy added. 

The couple then threw a celebration at a hotel for their family and friends. 

Bella then went home with the couple on November 10, but her health didn't improve. 

 I held Bella after dinner as I always had and the look in her eyes told me this was going to be last time," Randy said. 

They took Bella back to hospital care. The hospital later called the couple at home and told them Bella went into cardiac arrest. The couple decided against resuscitating efforts. 

Why you should care:

The couple's story has since went viral, and they think they know why. 

"Bella had a special way of touching everyone’s heart," Randy said. "Her story deserves the attention like she always drew and I believe our love for that special little dog comes through as well."

"It is a heartbreaking story, but it is also a feel-good story about an amazing life experience."

The Source: The information in the story came from a written interview with FOX Television Stations and Randy and Alexandria Eckhart. Photos and video were provided by the couple. This story was reported from Los Angeles.

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