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Couple’s wedding pics with their ‘fat’ cat go viral

An adorable 15.8 kilo cat named Vito was the center of attention at Kiah Berkeley and Paul Sorkin’s wedding photo shoot.

This couple had the ultimate wedding accessory. Photo: Kristi Odom
This couple had the ultimate wedding accessory. Photo: Kristi Odom

The cute snaps came to life thanks to professional photographer Kristi Odom. Odom was hired by the couple to be the photographer on their wedding day. However, once at the wedding, guests kept on referencing the newlyweds’ cat.

“After the wedding was over, I went home and did a little research,” Odom shares with Yahoo Style. “To my surprise, Vito was an Internet celeb.”

Vito, formerly named Symba, went viral last month when Washington D.C.’s Humane Rescue Alliance shelter was looking for a home for the chubby animal. Odom knew she had to do something special with the newlyweds and their new family member.

Vito went viral for the first time last month when a shelter put him up for adoption - Paul and Kiah happily put their hands up.
Vito went viral for the first time last month when a shelter put him up for adoption - Paul and Kiah happily put their hands up.
Kiah and Paul agreed to pose for a second round of wedding pic after their nups - to include their cat. Photo:  Kristi Odom
Kiah and Paul agreed to pose for a second round of wedding pic after their nups - to include their cat. Photo: Kristi Odom

So she scheduled another photo shoot days after their actual wedding day. “I told them to throw on their wedding-day outfits and we were gonna do it at their home,” says Odom. “They were so excited.”

Odom adds: “They are extremely sweet people. To think they gave Vito a home — what people need to understand is that this cat needs extra attention and looking after him is a lot of work, but they stepped up to the plate and are doing such a tremendous job.”

Berkeley and Sorkin are also parents to two other cats. They don’t really know the backstory of how Vito gained so much weight, as his previous owners have been unidentified. But the couple is doing all they can to bring Vito to a healthy weight.

Vito was severely overweight when he was adopted last month but his new owners are working at getting him to a healthy weight. Photo: Kristi Odom
Vito was severely overweight when he was adopted last month but his new owners are working at getting him to a healthy weight. Photo: Kristi Odom

“He’s lost several pounds and is tremendously happy,” says Odom. “He bounces around, jumps on the bed, and sleeps between them every night.”

Odom felt she had to include Vito in the couple’s wedding photo shoot because she is passionate about animals. “I am a huge nature lover and conservationist,” she says. “That is why I was drawn so much to this story. ”

Kiah and Paul have several other adopted cats but Vito is extra special. Photo: Kristi Odom
Kiah and Paul have several other adopted cats but Vito is extra special. Photo: Kristi Odom

She adds: “Kiah and Peter have such huge hearts. You can see it in everything they do, especially in their love for this cat in need.”

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