The Puprosal

By Carie Broecker

Last summer we got a very interesting email at Peace of Mind Dog Rescue (POMDR). The subject was “accidental meeting on one of your dog trips.” It was an odd request, so the email was forwarded to me, as the executive director.

Dear POMDR-Team,

My name is Sebastian and I'm from Germany.

I came across your site during my research/planning for a trip to the USA in September and found your project, which is incredibly great and admirable. My girlfriend (Larissa) and I are very big dog lovers and support European/German animal welfare organizations that help street dogs in the southeastern part of Europe (Hungary, Bulgaria, and Greece).

Unfortunately, due to our current living situation, we are not able to have a dog at this time. I share an immense passion for dogs with Larissa (both grew up with dogs.) We have been a happy couple for more than 15 years.

I plan to propose to her as part of our trip. I would like to surprise her with a special proposal that combines our closeness to nature and our love of dogs.

I wonder if a POMDR dog might be able to deliver a message with the proposal to Larissa when we are in Pacific Grove?

I would like to try to stage a "random" meeting to make a perfect surprise.

Thank you for your consideration and greetings from Germany.

Sebastian

This was a first! I was intrigued. It was so sweet. My husband, Scott, and I had just adopted a really friendly dog named Abbey who absolutely has to meet every person she sees. I thought she would be the perfect dog to deliver the proposal.

I wrote back to Sebastian and suggested that Abbey could wear a harness that would carry the proposal note. He said he would order a harness with the label “Abbey” on one side, and “Mail for Mausi” on the other side. (His nickname for his girlfriend is Mausi.)

Over the next several months we plotted and planned this chance meeting. I was a little skeptical at first that the whole thing might be a practical joke or scam. But lo and behold, the very nice harness did get delivered, which gave me faith that his story was legitimate.

Sebastian emailed me a handwritten letter, written in German, with a drawing of a mouse proposing to a mouse. This is the letter he wanted us to deliver to Larissa. I printed the letter and put it in an envelope and wrote “Mausi” on it and tucked it away for the big day.

In early September, Sebastian let me know that they’d be arriving in Monterey soon and we should start to plan the day and time of our “accidental” meeting.

I suggested the meeting take place at Lover’s Point because who doesn’t want to say they got engaged at Lover’s Point? The name says it all. We chose the date and time. I sent him a photo of me and Abbey, and he sent me a photo of himself and Larissa. Scott would come along to slyly take video and photos of the proposal.

On the big day, Abbey wore her harness, a carnation on her collar, and the proposal letter slipped into the harness. Abbey, Scott, and I arrived about 15 minutes early. I walked Abbey around the park while Scott sat under a tree ready to start documenting the meet-up.

From across the park, I recognized Sebastian and Larissa and began walking toward them. As expected, Abbey wiggled her whole body and wagged her tail like they were long-lost friends. Being the dog lovers that they are, Larissa was immediately drawn to her and reached down to pet her.

“She has to meet everyone she sees,” I said.

While they were petting her, I said, “She’s actually a mail-delivery dog. We’re looking for Mausi. Are you Mausi?” Larissa looked shocked because only Sebastian calls her Mausi. She looked at Sebastian with a confused expression. Who is this crazy lady? she must have been thinking.

Invites you and your four-leggers to visit Carmel. Pets are welcome throughout the hotel, in the cozy living room or in the charming courtyard for lunch or evening appetizers.

I took the envelope out of Abbey’s harness and said, “I think this is for you.” And handed her the envelope.

As she opened the envelope and began to read the letter, Abbey and I stepped back to give them privacy as Sebastian bent down on one knee and proposed. Larissa said “yes,” she cried, I teared up, they hugged, and Scott got it all on video.

Although Larissa and Sebastian had been together for 15 years, they had never talked about getting married, so Larissa was 100 percent surprised and thrilled.

We filled Larissa in on how the whole plan came together. Then, off they went to their celebration dinner at the Beach House Restaurant.

We feel like we’ve made lifelong friends, and Peace of Mind Dog Rescue has two new supporters. Ain’t love grand?