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It was the family christening that had everything you'd expect.

Dozens of guests were dressed up, the buffet was laid out, and guests brought gifts for the special occasion.

Only, this ceremony was for beloved pet Coco, a three-year-old Pugalier.

Owner Elaine Lyons, 57, said she initially came up with the idea as a bit of a joke.

But, a few weeks later, friends and family gathered around the dog as an "officiator" poured "holy water" from a plastic bottle in the shape of the Virgin Mary.

(Image: Richard Swingler) (Image: Richard Swingler)

Elaine, from Merthyr Tydfil , said: “I never thought I would be like this.

“My neighbours always buy her things and bother with her. They come over with dog treats and look after her, so one day I just said ‘why don’t you become Coco’s godparents?’

“It started off as a bit of a joke but here we are.”

Dressed in a pink tutu, Coco seemed content with everything going on around her, as a splash of water was poured over her head while guests stood around watching.

(Image: Richard Swingler) (Image: Richard Swingler)

Well-wishers applauded and later lined up to present their gifts to Coco and Elaine.

(Image: Richard Swingler) (Image: Richard Swingler)

The godparents, couple Debbie Smith and Emidio Franca, who live across the road, stood by like any other proud godparents at any other christening.

The ceremony's acting officiant Karen Meyrick, who has been a friend of Elaine’s for around 23 years, said: “I have never done anything like this in my life – I only just found out today I’d be doing this!”

Despite the obvious amount of love for Coco, Elaine admitted that she was previously never bothered about owning a pet.

Mum-of-three Elaine, who works at Prince Charles Hospital, said: “My son’s dog had puppies and Coco was the runt of the litter. She was so little she could fit in your hand.

“I said to my son, ‘Please can I have her?’ It’s been three years now.

“I can’t imagine life without my Cocopops now.”

(Image: Richard Swingler)

Coco has been a source of comfort for Elaine in recent years following her husband's death.

Elaine’s husband Colin died suddenly from a heart attack around eight years ago, aged just 46. The couple had been together for 28 years, and married for seven years.

Elaine said: “He had a heart attack when he was 38, and then he died suddenly when he was 46. I was left in the house on my own and it was horrible.”

(Image: Richard Swingler) (Image: Richard Swingler)

But now Coco is clearly very much a part of Elaine’s family, with pictures of her dog up on the wall next to pictures of her family.

Elaine, who has four grandchildren, said: "I have got beautiful friends around here and a lovely close family, plus Coco. What more do I need?”

Elaine presented Coco’s godparents with an engraved keyring each, marking the day.

(Image: Richard Swingler) (Image: Richard Swingler) (Image: Richard Swingler)

Godmother Debbie Smith, 56, said: “I fell in love with Coco when I first saw her.

“We love seeing her, she came around for Christmas dinner last year. She was dressed up as Santa.”

Although she’s only just been "christened", a wedding is now on the cards for Coco, with Elaine planning a marriage with her neighbour’s dog Alfie in the coming months.

Elaine said: “Coco has turned my life around. It can be a very lonely life sometimes, but not with her.”