It must be puppy love! Ed Grant popped the question to his long-term girlfriend, Alexandra Justins, in Central Park recently with the help of some furry friends. The 27-year-old Brits were visiting The Big Apple on a four-day vacation.

The groom-to-be tells The Today Show that "I have never seen Alex happier than when she sees a pug so I thought I would make her super happy (by seeing 16 at once), and then I hoped even happier by proposing to her!"

Related: How to Include Your Pet in Your Wedding

A few weeks prior to their trip, Grant contacted the New York City Pug Meetup Group to see if a couple of members would be interested in participating in the tail-wagging surprise that he had planned for Justins. He received an enthusiastic response from the pet owners.

On Oct. 27, the couple took a romantic boat ride through Central Park, followed by lunch and champagne, while the pug party team assembled on the Bow Bridge, one of New York City's most iconic landmarks. (Hundreds of proposals have taken place there, but this just may be the cutest one we've ever heard of!) The second-oldest cast-iron bridge in America is named for its graceful shape, which resembles the bow of a violin or archer.

Grant led his girlfriend there under the guise of "taking a picture," where the pack of pugs - including Poppy, Mr. Shiznit, Gus, Hamilton, Finn, Ed, Annabelle, and Bailey - were waiting with heart-shaped helium balloons tied to their collars. After an ecstatic "yes!" went out for celebratory drinks with all 16 pugs and 10 pet owners.

















The Bow Bridge in Central Park.

The pugs waiting for their big moment to shine...

She said

The bride-to-be getting up-close and personal with her furry suitors.

The bride-to-be couldn't contain her excitement!

Post-engagement photos with the thrilled dog lovers.

The dogs received a special token for their service.

We can only hope that pugs will be present on their wedding day, too!

"I was totally overwhelmed and I could not believe that Ed had organized everything," Justins says. "It made an incredibly special moment even more memorable. I was so touched that people that we had never met wanted to be a part of our special moment."

If you're like us, then you're probably thinking, "get this girl a puppy!" The groom-to-be is on it - as soon as the couple upgrades to a bigger apartment, he's bringing a pug home and they're naming it Bow, in honor of their memorable engagement.

Story continues

Congratulations to the happy couple!

More from Bridal Guide:

Top 10 Proposal Videos That Will Make You Cry

The Most Beautiful New Wedding Gowns

75 Ways to Make Your Wedding Unique

Biggest Bridesmaid Dilemmas: Solved!

By Stefania Sainato