Meet a Dog Lover

Visit the Mecca for dog lovers--of course, we’re talking about the dog park. Chances are, people who make the effort to load their dogs into the car and are willing to travel just so their pooches can have leash-free activity and socialization are lovers of dogs. There have been many instances of people unleashing their dog only to find themselves leashing a mate.

Go over and compliment the dog of someone who strikes your fancy. If he says, “Thanks, we found him as a stray” and then his boyfriend comes over to join him, move on to your next target.

Find someone who has the same type of dog you have or a breed of dog you’re familiar with. This could indicate someone with similar tastes and a compatible personality. It will be a great icebreaker, plus, he (she) will be impressed that you know so much about their dog. If you have a mixed breed dog that you rescued and the object of your affections (lust) has a mixed breed rescue dog, you will have that in common and can discuss why people continue to breed or buy dogs from pet stores when there are so many animals that need homes. Then you’ll look into each other’s eyes--and the rest will just fall into place.

Enroll your dog in doggie daycare. If you see a cute Boxer with an equally cute owner, make sure you pick up your dog at the same time each day. Eventually you can ask him (her) where they’re headed (chances are it’s home, since they have their dog). That should be their cue to invite you to a cafe with a dog friendly patio or to a place that has "yappy hour" (a dog friendly happy hour).

Join an online dating service and make sure to specify you're a dog lover. If possible, mention your dog in your bio. There are online dating services specifically for pet lovers (See Resources below). There is also Craigslist for meeting local dog lovers.