Finding the right one isn't easy! And that's true when it comes to partners or pooches.
For those looking for human love connections, there's no shortage of dating sites and apps to make quick work of the search. However, if you're in the market for man's best friend, well, it can be rough — ruff! — out there.
Or at least it was.
Now there's a website, PawsLikeMe, that bills itself as "the eHarmony for pets and people." They claim the same sort of algorithms that power those other sites can match you with Mr. Right-Doggie, if you answer a few questions.
Four simple questions relating to energy levels, confidence, focus and independence — the four "core personality quadrants" PawsLikeMe uses — can get you scrolling through a list of prospective pups in need of a home in no time.
But if you're willing to answer a lengthy questionnaire, then they'll really tailor the dog selection to all of your details.
Or most of them.
I gave the full questionnaire try, and while the general summary of my ideal dog (who'll join me for a walk around the block or some serious snuggle time on the sofa), was pretty spot-on, not all of the dogs on the results list would work out for me.
For instance, I have other dogs and a cat — details I provided — but the top match for me was an adorable adult terrier mix named Toby who's adoption details include, "He can't live with cats or any other small critters. No other dogs would be best as well."
So me and Toby? It'll never work out. (But please take a look at Toby and see if he's a good fit for you!)
However, that good boy was just one of 19 possibilities, and several of the others could work out.
In fact, the only thing separating me from a Maltese mix named Teddy — other than 2,522 miles, since I didn't enter my zip code — is the fact that I'm not actually looking for a new addition.
The senior Maltese mix I adopted last year is still a handful!
The ultimate goal of the site is to reduce the likelihood of a bad match, which often leads to dogs returning to shelters or foster homes.
As for cat lovers waiting for their dating-like site, well, they won't have to wait too much longer.
"We are currently in the process of developing a feline matching system," PawLikeMe says on its site.