Separated dogs reunite and wed

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NEW YORK, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Two dogs at a New York shelter, separated when a dog-napper made off with one of them, were reunited and "married" in a civil ceremony, shelter workers say.

Archie, a poodle-shih tzu mix, and Edith, a chihuahua-papillon combo, both 12 years old, have been together since they were puppies.

Archie was heart-broken when a woman came to the shelter allegedly to inquire about adopting Edith but then walked out with the dog hidden under her coat, the New York Daily News reported Saturday.

"He didn't eat. He didn't sleep. He couldn't play or rest," shelter director Vinny Spinola said. "It was terrible to see him in that state."

Using surveillance video footage, police found the woman and recovered the dog.

The reunion was incredible, Spinola said.

"They ate a whole bowl of food and then jumped all over each other," he said.

The two came to the shelter last year when their owner was placed in a nursing home, Spinola said.

People often ask about adopting one or the other but their bond is so strong separating them would be cruel, he said.

The well-attended "wedding" of Archie and Edith raised $1,500 for new dog beds at the shelter, the Daily News reported.