Test-Drive A Puppy: And Other Pet Trends You Should Know About

Loyalty, companionship, unconditional love – these are just some of the reasons why dogs have always been touted as man’s best friend. But being a dog owner is also like becoming a member of an exclusive social club, one that can open the door to making new friends and…getting more dates. That’s because a dog will get you out and about, put you in places where you will meet more people, help to break the ice with strangers and give you something to talk about.

While there’s nothing like a cute pup to capture some attention, what happens if you’re not ready for a long-term commitment? A new service, called FlexPetz, will let you test drive a fully trained canine at the rate of $45 per day in addition to the $100 monthly membership fee. As of right now, dog rentals are available in Los Angeles, London and New York with more cities coming soon, including San Fransisco, Boston and Paris. Don’t let the concept turn you off, these pets can use the extra love and attention and it keeps them from going to the doggy pound and out of shelters.

If you’re already a pet owner and obtaining your dog’s approval is important  for any relationship, you may want to tailor your dating search.  There’s a crop of niche matchmaking sites where dog lovers can connect including DateMyPet.com, Love Me, Love My Pets, Animal People Personals, Animal Attraction and Pet People Meet. In addition to meeting like-minded singles you can also find helpful dating advice for pet-lovers, message boards and listings of events for pets and their owners.

And for those of you in need of a break, now is a great time to take advantage of pet-friendly getaways.  To incentivize travelers, an increasing number of inns and resorts throughout North America are opening their doors to our four legged friends, offering special doggie treats and services such as pet-sitting and even spa treatments.  When dollars are tight, traveling with Fido can be a better and often cheaper alternative to kennels, plus it breaks the loneliness factor if you are going solo. So you may want to check out the exclusive offers now available at Sanctuary At Camel Back Mountain in Arizona, Westin Kierland Resort and Spa in Phoenix and the Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa in Litchfield Park.