Valentine’s Day: Ditch the dating and adopt a pet! #RelationshipGoals

Valentine’s Day was always big in my family. My parents would get us cards, and we’d make something for them. Even when we all moved away, my mom would still send us cards–and sometimes my siblings send them, but we often forget, though I always send one to my little nephew.

It’s just a lovely day to celebrate LOVE!

But that’s familial love. Romantic love is a whole other ball of chaos, right? How long do you need to date before you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Is a card enough? Or are flowers a cliche? If you’ve been married 10 years, do you still have to honor the day? (yes.)

It’s fraught with stress once romance gets involved.

But, our friends at Best Friends have found THE solution to Valentine’s Day stress. Set some #RelationshipGoals–ones that include pet adoption, obviously!

Ditch the dating and adopt a pet!

“If you’re looking to bring home a new pet, few people will argue that adopted animals reward their people with a depth of love and loyalty that pets from other sources often don’t seem to rival,” said Gregory Castle, co-founder and chief executive officer for Best Friends Animal Society. “They seem to know they were given a second chance, and they spend their lives repaying their families.”

Some dating truths: When looking for love, you’re more likely to find the real deal at your local animal shelter than at your local bar. And it’s MUCH harder to swipe left at a sweet, furry face.

Instead of roses this year, Best Friends Animal Society is offering you a dozen reasons why your #RelationshipGoals should include the adoption option. (You’re welcome.)

1. Hanging with a pet will give pleasant new meaning to “Netflix and chill.”
2. Your pet’s lasting love will make you never fear being “ghosted” again.
3. Adopting a pet will help you overcome that fear of commitment.
4. You’ll always have someone there to kiss you good morning, even before you brush your teeth.
5. Walking a cat on a harness and leash is a guaranteed attention-getter.
6. Chances are your pet will love to spoon and snuggle as much as you do, if not more.
7. Your new canine companion will give you a valid reason to hang out and meet people at the dog park.
8. More than 63 percent of people consider pets to be members of the family (according to the AVMA). So no matter what the configuration of a family unit, pets are a perfect source of love and companionship.
9. If you’re not finding true love on Tinder, adopting a pet may be your answer.
10. A pet will help you get accustomed to 24/7 adoration and unconditional love.
11. An adopted pet can help you become less self-centered, as you learn to put another’s needs before your own.
12. If you’re looking for love, but are freaked out by forever, check with a local shelter or rescue to find out about fostering.

Contrary to what you see online, there’s plenty of drama-free companionship out there. To make it even more attractive, Best Friends Animal Society and its official media sponsor, Hallmark Channel, are offering pet adoption fees starting at $14 to help you find “The One.” The national event is taking place February 1-15 at Best Friends adoption centers in Utah and Los Angeles, and at an event in New York, as well as through participating No More Homeless Pets Network partners across the country. Click here for more info: http://bestfriends.org/TheOne/.

Who knows, having a pet might even help you meet that special someone, if you haven’t already. Relationships come and go, but adoption can—and should–last a lifetime.

Found love already? Please share so that more homeless pets can find love this Valentine’s Day!!

I will note: Emmett is my Valentine. <3 Every year. He knows it. John knows it. We’re celebrating our ninth Valentine’s Day together this year. My true love, found at an animal shelter!

Images courtesy of Best Friends… well, except the one of me and Em. 🙂