Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. Read More
    • Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      It's one of your favorite fruits, but does it belong on the counter or in the refrigerator? Read More
    • This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    Make gathering with loved ones a priority.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? We have you covered.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Pillows

    How to Wash Pillows

    They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    Our easy melt-and-pour method saves the last bit of this home essential.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    This buzzy ingredient is a star player in many new-age hair care products.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Love & Marriage
  4. Marriage Proposals
  5. 5 Pets That Had a "Paw" in Their Owners' Proposals
Martha Stewart Weddings

5 Pets That Had a "Paw" in Their Owners' Proposals

taysha-murtaugh-088-d112001.jpg
By Taysha Murtaugh
Skip gallery slides
Pin
pet-proposal-angela-taylor-puppy-0215.jpg
Credit: Erik Roys

For the special moment, these pooches were able to sit, stay, and help pop the question.

Start Slideshow

1 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
pet-proposal-angela-taylor-puppy-0215.jpg
Credit: Erik Roys

As if popping the question wasn't heartwarming enough, these couples got an adorable assist from their canine buddies. Here, in the words of the brides- and grooms-to-be, our favorite dog engagement stories.

1 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Winnie

pet-proposal-elizabeth-ryan-winnie-0215.jpg
Credit: Courtesy of Ryan Kenkel

"For one of my birthdays, my then-girlfriend, Elizabeth, gave me a puppy collar. No dog, just the collar. She said it was for when we eventually got our own dog together. Years passed, and the collar sat in my drawer. The conversation kept developing, though, between us about this hypothetical dog. We chose a breed (Wheaten terrier) and even chose a name (Winnie, after Winnie the Pooh). We made all of these little decisions about a dog that didn't exist. This dog, at least for me, became a symbol for this next step that we would take in our lives together.

"When I decided on how to propose, I had known for years that it would involve our little Winnie the Wheaten. Elizabeth and I took an autumn walk after dinner, ending up in the courtyard of the dorm where we met. We had a mutual friend there, waiting with our little furball. I gave Elizabeth the puppy, dropped down on one knee, and said, 'I met you here and fell in love with you, so this is where I'm asking you to marry me.' Winnie's dog tag was engraved, reading 'Elizabeth, will you marry me?' She said yes to both of us." —Ryan Kenkel, with Elizabeth Breitbach and Winnie, of Iowa City, Iowa

2 of 7

3 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dolly

pet-proposal-hailey-rory-dolly-popping-question-0215.jpg
Credit: BelleRey Photography

"On Saturday, September 13, 2014, Rory asked me if I wanted to go on a walk into downtown Bristol to enjoy the last days of summer, as well as our new hometown. 

"About 10 minutes into the walk, the bike path opens up to a clearing with a bench overlooking the water. As we approached, I noticed a dog tied to the bench. I, being an avid dog lover, normally would have dragged Rory over to meet it. Of course, on this one instance, Rory's plan was not so easily executed. I said we should not go up to the dog, because it was tied all alone to the bench in the hot sun and was most likely agitated. Rory finally said that he wanted to go see the dog, so we walked over.

"I noticed a note tied around the dog's collar, which I pointed out to Rory as one more reason not to pet the dog.

"Rory finally said, 'Hailey, what if I told you the note is for you?' Confused, I took the note from Rory and started reading, beginning with the words, 'Hi, my name is Dolly!' Dolly is the name I always wanted to call my first dog. After reading that, my eyes filled with tears. I don't remember what the note said except for the last line: 'Rory has said yes to me, so will you now say yes to him?'

"When I looked up, Rory was on one knee holding out the most gorgeous engagement ring. I nodded to say 'yes,' and was immediately surprised by all the neighbors clapping and a photographer emerging from the bushes to congratulate us and take some pictures.

"I was so overwhelmed on our walk back, but I kept saying how I wished my family could be there to enjoy the news. As we rounded the corner to our street, we heard horns and cheering coming from our front porch. Our families surprised us with a big banner and lunch to celebrate the future." —Hailey Conn, with Rory Munns and Dolly, of Bristol, Rhode Island

3 of 7

Advertisement

4 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Flynn

pet-proposal-angela-taylor-on-one-knee-0215.jpg
Credit: Erik Roys

"It was a nice, sunny day in late October, and we had scheduled to have family pictures taken for his family's Christmas cards. We had just gotten our new puppy a couple of weeks before that and decided to include both of our dogs in the pictures. I thought the whole time we were just doing family pictures, but what I didn't know is he had something else planned that included our new puppy. 

"As we were taking pictures, the rest of his family watched and tried to get me to look at our puppy's collar, without letting the cat out of the bag. I was so focused on taking pictures that I didn't even know what was going on. Taylor, now my husband, had to turn the collar around so I could see what everyone was trying to tell me. He had somehow snuck a little dog tag on the collar of our puppy that said, 'Will You Marry Me,' and he got down on one knee. I was so shocked and happy at the same time! It was so sweet and cute; I couldn't have asked for a better proposal. I'm so glad he incorporated both of our dogs because they are our family and they mean so much to us. I will never forget that day and how I felt." —Angela and Taylor Johnson, with their puppy Flynn and dog Pete, of Story City, Iowa

4 of 7

5 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Peter

pet-proposal-jackie-ross-peter-0215.jpg
Credit: Courtesy of Jackie Karwoski
See Jackie and Ross’s Nashville Wedding

"Breakfast in bed has always been a special thing between Ross and I. Since early on in our relationship, he has surprised me with breakfast in bed for special occasions and often just because. 

"One day, Ross woke me up to a delicious breakfast in bed with 1,000 rose petals, our pug Peter in a tux, a song playing in the background that he wrote for me (which ended up being our first dance), and a bottle of Champagne from Napa we had been saving for a special occasion. As soon as I saw the Champagne, I started crying because I knew this was more than just a typical breakfast in bed! There was a plate cover, and Ross told me to lift it up. On the plate was the ring box, and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Neither of us remember if I actually ever said yes or not!

"He then told me to pack a bag and we went to San Francisco to celebrate for the weekend. We stayed in a beautiful penthouse and dined at the most delectable restaurants in the city. It was a weekend we'll never forget!" —Jackie Karwoski, with Ross Golan and Peter, of Los Angeles

5 of 7

6 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Ace

pet-proposal-kike-matt-ace-0215.jpg
Credit: Your Reflections

"My fiancé, Matt Kotsianas, proposed to me on New Year's Eve 2014 with my French bulldog, Ace. We were at his parents' house, about to go to a party, and he asked me to come outside and see what Ace was doing. He was holding him and down on one knee and told me to come look at his new collar. He had the ring and a dog tag that said 'Marry Me' connected to the collar. He had to ask me about three times to look at his collar before I saw the ring and the tag, but of course I said yes!

"Little did I know, everyone inside knew about the proposal except for my mom. (Mom would have given it away if she knew ahead of time.) We all took pictures and had a glass of Champagne before going down to the New Year's party to celebrate not only New Year's but our engagement." —Kike Kontoes, with Matt Kotsianas and Ace, of Knoxville, Tennessee

6 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 7

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Share Your Proposal Story

pet-proposal-hailey-rory-dolly-banner-0215.jpg
Credit: BelleRey Photography

Find out how to submit your proposal pics and details at marthastewartweddings.com/submit.

7 of 7

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Taysha Murtaugh

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Martha Stewart Weddings
    View All
    • In Addition to Duke and Duchess, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Will Hold Other Royal Titles for Life
    • The 20 Best Dresses to Wear as a Wedding Guest This Summer
    • Ariana Grande Inspired These Grooms' Black-Tie Wedding in the Pacific Palisades
    • 10 Items You Need to Pack in Your Wedding Dress Emergency Kit
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 7
    2 of 7 Winnie
    3 of 7 Dolly
    4 of 7 Flynn
    5 of 7 Peter
    6 of 7 Ace
    7 of 7 Share Your Proposal Story

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    5 Pets That Had a "Paw" in Their Owners' Proposals
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.