A lady married her cat to avoid being forced to give up the pet by her landlord.
Deborah and India
Deborah Hodge, 49, claims that landlords who don't allow dogs in their houses have forced her to rehome three animals over the years.
Fearing that she might lose her beloved cat India, the mother-of-two has now "officially" married her feline companion.
The single Hodge and her cat were married on April 19 in a civil ceremony officiated by a legally ordained friend.
India, dressed in gold lamé for the occasion, meowed her way through her vows in front of Hodge's pals at a park in southeast London.
Hodge now hopes their dedication will demonstrate to landlords how vital it is for them to stick together.
Marriage
She married her cat since she had nothing to lose and everything to gain! She swore to the cosmos that no man would ever be able to separate her and India.
She made it clear that she would never be parted from the animal she loved. She is unable to function without India. She is genuinely extraordinary; she is kind and welcoming.
After her children, she is the most important thing in her life.
By marrying India, she informs any future landlords that they are a unit and cannot be separated under any circumstances since she is just as essential to her as the children.
"I refuse to be separated from her; I'd sooner be homeless than be without her," she stated.
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Forced to Give Her Pets Up
Hodge claims she was forced to give up her two huskies, Siri and Starshine when living in a prior apartment after her landlord threatened her with eviction if she kept them.
She was upset when her new landlord allegedly told her she had to give up her cat, Jamal, or face eviction when she moved into her present house five years ago.
She remarked, "It destroyed my heart."
"Your dogs become a part of your family, and saying goodbye to them was heartbreaking."
Hodge pleaded with her landlord to let her get another cat since she sorely missed having one in her life. After several emails, her landlord agreed.
India, a black and white cat, joined Hodge and her two children in 2017 and instantly became a cherished family member.
India lost a leg after being hit by a car in 2020 and is now frequently seen perched on Deborah's shoulder or carried in her arms during beach outings.
Hodge, who lost her work as a life coach on March 17, now fears being evicted if she does not pay her next rent payment, due on May 1.
Faced with the prospect of finding a new place to live, Hodge decided to marry India to demonstrate to potential landlords that the couple could not be parted.
Hodge and India married in a civil ceremony performed by a friend who is legally ordained to officiate marriages, surrounded by friends.
Hodge dressed in a tuxedo for their big day, and India wore a bow tie, cape, and gold lamé. The newlyweds had a picnic with their wedding guests in the sunlight to celebrate their marriage.
Doing Everything She Can
"I'm scared of losing India; I can't leave my house because I'm so worried about the future, and I'm frantic not to lose my cat," Hodge said.
Although some may think it's a ridiculous notion, she wanted to be able to prove physically that she is serious by having the ceremony in front of her friends, even if they thought she was crazy."
"I brought several friends to the ceremony; they all think I've gone insane, but we all had a great time; my kids weren't there; they simply think Mummy has lost her mind!"
"I don't want to lose another loving pet after losing Siri and Starshine and then Jamal. In sickness and in health, till death do us part, I promised, and I meant it.
She doesn't believe in organized religion, but she believe in faith. Even after losing a limb, India has always come back, and she married her because she is her universe."
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