One of the great secrets of owning a dog is that it makes meeting new people easier -- and not because of the popular idea that dogs are “chick magnets.” Dog owners tend to congregate in dog parks and other dog-friendly areas, and with something already in common to talk about, conversations naturally begin. Sometimes those conversations lead to connections, sometimes they don’t. Still, pet owners tend to prefer other pet owners in their romantic endeavors, and a new rash of pet-specific online dating sites is aimed directly at those single pet lovers looking for romance. PetsDating.com and YouMustLoveDogsDating.com are just two examples of sites that cater specifically to pet owners and look to pair matches based on their love for kitten cuddles or muddy paws. In fact, both sites encourage pet owners to bring their dogs along for the first date. The logic here is obvious: Two people with at least one shared passion have an easy way to build a relationship and some common ground to explore while getting to know one another. Dating experts warn against interpreting wags, nips, and barks as signs of compatibility, but acknowledge that pets can be a powerful common interest among strangers looking for a connection. All in all, pet dating sites offer a niche service to people who place a large focus on their feelings for their pets and expect their romantic partners to share that view of life.
