Felines catwalk down the aisle
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BY CHRIS APONICK / Lincoln Journal Star
Love was in the air when Armand and Cassie met. The two were getting holiday pictures taken at Petsmart, 5200 N. 27th St. Just by looking at how they interacted, loved ones knew the cats were meant to be married.
"They were cute together," said Cassie's owner, 12-year-old Wyki Walstrom. "They touched noses."
The engagement of Cassie Calico Sunshine Walstrom, a long-haired calico, and Armand Ra Hoffman, a hairless Sphynx, said Kathy Hoffman, Armand's owner, happened that day.
"We kind of spoke for them," Hoffman said of the proposal.
On Sunday, both owners carried their cats down the aisle at the Petsmart where the felines first met. Genevieve Randall, a flutist, played "The Pink Panther" for the ceremony's processional.
"It's just like preparing for any other wedding," Randall said.
Their procession led them down an aisle lined with cat carriers and Iams health and beauty items.
Armand wore a black velvet and satin vest with a top hat. Cassie wore a white gown with gold California poppy attached to it. California pet-clothing designer Mary Catron designed the wedding garb for the bride and groom.
The cats exchanged collars as wedding bands: Cassie received a pink one with her name spelled in crystals; Armand got one adorned with gold-colored Egyptian beads.
After the wedding, the cats stopped for pictures with Santa. Guests at Petsmart attended a cake and soda reception after the vows.
Hoffman said she was grateful the store agreed to host the event.
"I don't think they believed it at first," she said.
The two cats came from different backgrounds. Armand's mother made the cover of Cat Fancy magazine last May. Wyki rescued Cassie as a stray in northeast Nebraska.
Offspring, the owners said, are out of the question.
"They've both been altered, so they won't be having children," Hoffman said.
The couple will not live together, or change last names. Armand lives in Kearney, Cassie in Lincoln.
They will see each other about four times this year, Hoffman said. They'll take holiday pictures together and meet up at cat shows.
Said Wyki: "It's going to be a long-distance relationship."
Reach Chris Aponick at 473-7120 or caponick@journalstar.com.
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