Caligula, like most Roman emperors, was ever at war with his senators. Inevitably they accused him of not doing the right thing by his subjects, being too extravagant in his own personal life style, and thought his morals or lack thereof, stank. He had an idea that if one of these days, someone slipped him some of those special mushrooms, theyd do their best to get along without him, thank you very much.

One day, when they were being more trying than usual, he screamed at them in exasperation. You senators really take the cake. My horse has more horse sense than the whole bunch of you put together. In fact, if I were too appoint him to the senate, I guarantee the standard of debate would rise by 120%.

Domesticated animals, though they are disappearing from our lives owing to the fact that city councils seem to feel that their business is to squeeze as many people as possible into the smallest area possible, have much to recommend them. Nowhere else do you get such an unconditional love than from a dog. No matter how often you make a fool of yourself, his regard for you wont change. Nor is he likely to to come up with something like, 'I told you so' that people are so fond of doing.

According to gossip and slander, Caligula was so fond of his horse that he treated him better than many of his courtiers. He is supposed to have been housed in a stable made of marble, waited upon hand and foot by eighteen servants, and from time to time, issued invitations to the important people of Rome to dine with him in the privacy and elegance of his stable.

It is it not to be wondered at that couples getting married do sometimes toy with the idea of including their pets in their wedding ceremony. Equestrian brides cant resist showing off their favourite horse by coming down the aisle riding side saddle and looking like something out of a Tennysons poem. And both bride and groom have been known to bring along their pretty little dogs, with gold or silver collars, to act as bridesmaids and ring bearers.

By and large, four-legged attendants are found to be more dependable than human members of the wedding party. They dont embarrass themselves, and everyone else, by those inappropriate stories of grooms follies, for one. And, for another, theyve never been known to have the groom's car towed away for being parked in a non-parking zone. As one bride was heard to say, I decided to make my pet poodle the carrier of the ring, as soon as I found out who the best man was. There were no misplaced rings on that day.

Vlady Peters

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant performing weddings, naming, renenewal of vows and commitment ceremonies both for Australian citizens and for overseas couples visiting friends and relatives in Australia.

She is the author of two traditionally published books, "The Complete Book of Australian Weddings" and "The Small Organisation Handbbook" and is in the process of releasing two ebooks dealing with weddings and honeymoons.

Her major interest is research into customs and traditions of weddings.

By going back to the roots of customs, she believes couples can more clearly differentiate between what is essential in a wedding ceremony, and what is merely a personal preference.

This allows them to choose a ceremony reflecting their own situation within the framework of legal requirements.

Vlady has a bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Government, and has studied the writing of novels and romances. She has written children picture books as well as novels.

She is a member of Queesland Civil Marriage Celebrants - the largest Civil Marriage Celebrants Association in Australia - as well as member of Celebrants' Training Association.

She is also a member of Australian Authors, as well as Romance Writers Association where for a number of years she was the Convenor of the prestigious Emma Darcy Award - Australia's leading Lady of Romance.