Jenny Lewis Marries Dog in 50th Birthday Ritual

Singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis marked her 50th birthday on January 8 with a whimsical ceremonial wedding to her cockapoo, Bobby Rhubarb, in a private gathering that blended celebration, performance and personal ritual.

Lewis, dressed in a vintage white gown, shared photos and videos of the event on social media, where she declared, "i married my dog for my 50th birthday BLESS!" The mock ceremony, not legally binding, featured live music from Lewis and several collaborators. She joined Ben Gibbard of The Postal Service for a rendition of their song "Such Great Heights," and performed Phantom Planet's "California" alongside Alex Greenwald. Musicians Morgan Nagler and Farmer Dave Scher also took part in the festivities, turning the occasion into an intimate showcase.

Bobby Rhubarb, whom Lewis adopted during a challenging period of isolation in her forties, has long been a source of inspiration for her. The dog features prominently in her 2021 single "Puppy and a Truck," later included on her 2023 album Joy'All. In the track, Lewis sings about finding solace amid hardship: "Like a shot of good luck, I got a puppy and a truck. If you feel like giving up, shut up, get a puppy and a...