Happy couple Jake Robertson and Dana Brown with their one-year-old teacup Chihuahua, Gus, and four-year-old Chihuahua, Benji.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
All eyes are on Gus the teacup Chihuahua as he trots into the room with his ‘dad’, Jake Robertson, for what is set to be a family Santa photo shoot.
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But there is only one set of eyes he really needs to attract – those of his ‘mum’, Dana Brown.
For this is more than just a Santa shoot.
Tied onto Gus’ collar is an engagement ring, ready for Jake to pop the big question.
Jake Robertson got down on one knee to propose to Dana Brown with their one-year-old teacup Chihuahua Gus as the ring bearer.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Gus trotted over to Dana and the couple’s other Chihuahua, Benji, and everyone in the room watched Dana to see if she would notice the ring.
The dogs were excitedly sniffing each other, and as Dana crouched down to pat one-year-old Gus, she still hadn’t spotted the ring.
As she stood up and turned to look at Benji, Jake went down on one knee, holding tiny Gus up towards her.
That’s when it clicked.
With a look of surprise, Dana said yes.
Jake Robertson proposed with the help of teacup Chihuahua Gus.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Then it was time to have the family Santa photo Dana had been lured along to take part in.
The only difference now was she had a shiny ring on her finger to show off.
And a special Christmas photo that neither of them are likely to ever forget.
Speaking after the photo shoot, Dana said the proposal had been a surprise.
“I had no idea it was happening,” she said.
Jake Robertson proposing to Dana Brown, with their dogs Gus as the ring bearer and Benji as crowd support.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Going into the proposal, Jake was pretty confident of what Dana’s answer would be after being together for a little under two years.
“It’s my birthday in a couple of weeks and I’ve been saying I want a ring,” Dana said.
Jake, however, had been trying to put her off, saying he couldn’t afford a ring at the minute, instead hinting that he would instead ask her to marry him mid next year.
Dana Brown admires her beautiful engagement ring, watched on by Gus.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The Santa photo shoot was held at Unleashed dog training and daycare, where Gus had spent the day.
Jake said he had originally thought of getting Santa to ask Dana what she wanted for Christmas, because he thought she would say an engagement ring, which Dana later confirmed she probably would have.
Jake Robertson and Dana Brown after she said yes.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
However, Unleashed dog training and daycare owner Jenni Cleave suggested tying the ring to Gus’ collar instead.
During the day, Jake dropped off the ring and organised for staff to put it on Gus’ collar just before photo time.
This meant Jake and Gus came into the room a bit after Dana.
A Santa photo to remember: Jake Robertson and Dana Brown with their dogs Gus and Benji.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
“She thought Gus must have been a bit naughty,” Jake said about the delay.
Having used a piece of string to measure Dana’s finger, Jake was just pleased the ring fit.
Jake Robertson and Dana Brown with Gus and Benji, after the wedding proposal.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
The couple, who both teach at Greater Shepparton Secondary College, were excited to be able to share the news with their families after the engagement, before taking the good news into school the next day.
They have both been been teaching at the school this year after moving from Melbourne where they met while they were teaching at Lyndhurst Secondary College.
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