Groom’s often ask their bride-to-be’s family for permission to propose, but one man asked his girlfriend’s loyal canine.
Before Matt Hazen proposed to his girlfriend, Alex, he wanted approval first from the most important person in her life — her dog, Gus.
An adorable TikTok video of Matt asking for the then six-month-old golden retriever’s permission went viral just days after his proposal at Lookout Mountain Park in Colorado on Nov. 9, 2021. The clip stole the internet’s heart three years ago, with the wholesome video acquiring more than 6 million views and nearly 800,000 likes. A repost of the video this year amassed another 425,000 views and more than 1,000 comments.
In the heartwarming video, Matt asks Gus, “I’m gonna ask momma to marry me, is that okay?” In response, the puppy barks in approval.
“Oh, you like that idea? Okay, let’s shake on it then,” Matt says before happily shaking Gus’ paw.
“If my man doesn’t ask my dogs first I’m not saying yes,” one TikToker commented, with another person adding, “Ah yes, the most im-paw-tent paw-son to ask paw-mission.”
“My fiancé told me he asked my dog for permission and he just requests a treat for my dowry,” another user joked.
“I had joked that Matt better ask Gus’ permission before proposing,” Alex tells PEOPLE. “We always talk in his voice and narrate his thoughts so we say the silliest things to each other. Matt remembered that I had said that and thought it was a sweet idea that I would be able to watch after the proposal.”
Courtesy of Alex Hazen
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In a comment on TikTok, Alex added that she cries nearly every time she watches the video, and that this small detail of Matt’s proposal meant the world to her.
“It meant so much that he remembered a silly little joke I made in passing,” she continues. “Matt didn’t expect anything less when Gus barked and shook his hand. He’s always been the best boy.”
Matt and Alex — who met in 2014 through mutual friends — are now husband and wife, having tied the knot in Charleston, South Carolina, on Nov. 7, 2023.
While Gus, who is now 3 years old, was not at the wedding, he was in both of his parents’ vows.
“I imagine one day our grandkids will ask me about how I knew I loved you,” Alex said to Matt at their wedding ceremony. “I’ll them about the night we met, our first house, our first dog, the beautiful life we’ve built together.”
