Registrations Begin Flowing Into DTOP

Registration forms have begun flowing into the Downtown Oak Park office, and we will soon be sharing some anecdotes from those who have signed up their dogs to become part of Guinness World Record-attempting history.

A reminder on the event's location Saturday, November 8th (from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with 1 p.m. bow-vows): in the heart of downtown Oak Park, on Marion Street just north of the Metra and "el" tracks. It's the stretch of roadway that was re-opened nearly a year ago, after many years as a pedestrian mall.

Wondering where the registration form may be? It's right here.

Now Available: IDDI Registration Form!

We are excited to inform you that you can now register your dog or dogs for I Do, Doggone It!

You can find the registration form here.

When you fill it out, please complete it as thoroughly as you can. You'll notice we ask questions that might seem off-the-wall (such as your dog's age and gender), but when you think about it, this whole affair is more than a few inches off the beaten path.

We will provide fun updates in the near future, and keep you posted as our tally of soon-to-be betrothed four-legged friends climbs toward the current record of 178 couples. With 24 days between now and the Big Day, we have plenty of time to make history!

(Speaking of history, and to give you a frame of reference, I Do, Doggone It! comes four days after the U.S. Presidential election between the Dems' Barack Obama and the GOP's John McCain.)

Thanks for the enthusiasm and support we've received over the past four months, and for continuing to spread the word. If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail Matt@InsideEdgePR.com.

Thank You, PetSmart!

A big "thank you" to PetSmart for its generous $3,000 donation to the Animal Care League of Oak Park, in connection with I Do, Doggone It!

Between now and the event on Nov. 8th--and even afterwards--we will keep the kudos flowing PetSmart's way.

If you are a prospective sponsor of the event, please contact Tom Van Winkle at the Animal Care League or Pat Zubak of Downtown Oak Park.

If you are a member of the media sharing our story with your audience, please do all you can to note PetSmart's support of the ACL during this event.

And if you own a dog, or know someone who does, check out PetSmart's website and shop to your heart's (and the dog in your life's) content, either online or at one of the company's more than 1,000 stores in the United States and Canada!

Meet The New 1st Couple: Hudson & Mr. Big

The Beatles had drummer Pete Best, the so-called Fifth Beatle booted out of the band as they were on the cusp of fame.

Spiro Agnew could have been the President of the United States, were it not for the fact that bribery charges swept him out after nearly five years as VP in October 1973. Ten months later, Jerry Ford replaced a disgraced Richard Nixon.

And "I Do, Doggone It!" had Elvis, the adorable soft-coated Wheaten terrier who has brought such joy to so many, starting with owners Tom and Roz Byrne of Oak Park.

Alas, Elvis and Mr. Big will never consummate their promise as IDDI's First Couple.

Mr. Big's affections have shifted to Hudson Daly, 8, a chocolate labrador retriever. Owners Matt and Loretta Daly of Oak Park have raised him since he was a wee 7-week-old.

Hudson (towering proudly over Mr. Big in this post's photograph) declined to bark to this blogger, but Loretta said she is thrilled with his burgeoning relationship with Mr. Big, owned by Wednesday Journal managing editor Helen Karakoudas.

"I couldn't be happier," Loretta said. "We're not losing a son, we're gaining a son."

Photo credit: Michelle Lytle