Golden retriever with terminal cancer takes center stage at owners’ wedding

Hearts have been melted by a golden retriever with terminal cancer who took a starring role in her owners’ wedding, as she seemed to think it was all “just for her.”

On September 7, 2024, Anna and Stephen Carter tied the knot in Jefferson, New Hampshire, and what made the day even more special was the presence of their senior dog, Maybeline Joy. The 11-year-old golden retriever wasn’t just going to take a back seat though, as she made sure she was involved in every part of nuptials.

From watching her mom get ready, escorting her down the aisle, and even having a first dance with her dad, Maybeline was the star of the show. Anna Carter, 29, told Newsweek that she didn’t plan for Maybeline to do half those things, but she made the day “so incredibly special” with her adorable antics.

“She stayed by my side while getting ready, she greeted the guests, walked my mom down the aisle, and then ran back to get me to walk me down the aisle,” Anna said. “I never thought she would do this, I just wanted her there. She even lay down on my train, watched our dip kiss, and then walked off with us into the sunset.”

Indeed, Maybeline’s only role was to be the ring bearer, but she went above and beyond. Anna loved seeing how happy her soul dog was throughout the wedding, as she said it felt like something “you see in the movies.”

One of her favorite moments was when Maybeline lied down on the train of her dress while the couple stood at the altar.

“I didn’t want to move, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. I dreamed of that happening but never thought it would. It was such a special precious moment, and the guests loved it just as much as I did,” Anna continued.

Sadly, two months before the big day, Maybeline was diagnosed with sarcomatoid mesothelioma and thyroid cancer with vascular involvement. This terminal diagnosis marked one of the darkest days in Anna’s life.

While the couple know it’s a long road ahead, they will ensure that every day is filled with love and happiness for Maybeline. In fact, as soon as they got the results, Stephen left the vet’s office and returned an hour later with another golden companion: Daffodil May.

Anna said: “We added Daffodil May to our family to help support Maybel and I through the difficult time we were about to encounter, just two months before our wedding.”

Maybeline Making Memories

The wedding photography was captured by Stephanie Berenson (@stephanieberensonphotography on Instagram), and the couple’s videographer was Jordon Johnson (@jordonjohnsonproductions). Maybeline was no stranger to either of their cameras and made sure she was front and center throughout.

This wasn’t surprising for Anna, as she jokes that Maybeline “loves when things are about her.”

Even prior to the cancer diagnosis, it was important for the golden to be part of her owners’ wedding. The table numbers were based on pictures of Maybeline over the years, and she even had a custom outfit made from the scraps of Anna’s dress. After all, she needed to be dressed the part if she was going to have such a pivotal role.

“My wedding gown came with these huge puffy sleeves which were going to be thrown in the trash as I didn’t want them. So instead, I had my seamstress turn the material into a custom tutu for Maybel. I also love sparkles, so I got some fabric and made her little arm bracelets and a bandana to match,” Anna said.

The Social Media Reaction

In addition to their wedding video by Jordon Johnson, the couple also wanted to see the raw footage—and it did not disappoint. Anna told Newsweek that she didn’t even realize Maybel “did as much as she did” until watching it back. It was so special to relive those moments and be able to savor them.

She shared the adorable clip showing what her pup got up to throughout the day on TikTok (@maybelanddaffodilsmom) and it went viral with 2.4 million views and 490,600 likes in a matter of days.

She continued: “She’s my everything and has been with me through my entire adulthood, some of the worst break-ups, nursing school, getting my nursing job, and meeting the love of my life. Now 11 years later and Maybeline is the greatest joy I could have ever asked for.

“People have been so kind by saying she’s my soul dog, and that they can see how much Maybel and I love each other. All this attention doesn’t feel real. I’m just a nurse and Steven is a detective—things like this don’t happen to ordinary people,” Anna told Newsweek.

The viral TikTok video has amassed over 1,700 comments so far, as many were left in tears after seeing Maybeline take center stage on her (sorry, their) big day.

One comment reads: “Laying on your dress got me. Sweet girl.”

Another TikTok user wrote: “I was already crying while watching this, then I read the caption and cried some more.”

“She is so happy to be there with you,” added one social media user.

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