Michelle’s (left) and Aaron’s shared love for animals has strengthened their bonding experience. Michelle is holding Sunshine while Aaron is with Meymey. Photos: The Star/Low Lay Phon
The modern dating scene is now beginning to revolve around “paw-ty” time as the importance of pets in young people’s romantic life grows.
From first date dog walks to pet friendly speed-dating events, integrating furry buddies into the scene is no longer a mere preference, but a crucial consideration for many pet owners.
In a 2020 study on human and pet connections published in the National Library of Medicine – an online archive of journal literature – researchers found that pets have a positive impact on the mental health of their owners.
“This is due to the emotional connection established between people and their pets, which leads them to experience feelings of love, joy and peace,” it says.
Owning a pet is not just about companionship; it’s also about creating a life full of love, respect and understanding.
Teacher Michelle Pasquinal Kaur’s journey through the dating world has been shaped by her deep connection with her two dogs, Sunshine, a white Pomeranian and Meymey, a Jack Russell mix.
She has learned how to navigate her romantic journey with the same care and patience she shows her furry companions.
For Michelle, 28, finding love means finding a boyfriend who could, not only tolerate her four-legged best friends, but also embrace them into his life.
Pet ownership is becoming increasingly significant in young people’s love lives.
Fortunately, her partner of seven years, Aaron Dipan Joseph, 31, shares the same affection for animals and this mutual love has created a solid foundation for their relationship.
“I adopted Sunshine when Aaron and I first started dating... Meymey joined us a few years later.”
What truly sets her boyfriend apart according to Michelle, is his natural affinity for animals. “He’s a pet lover himself, so he never complains when it comes to looking after my dogs. Caring for them comes naturally to him,” she says.
She also praises his quick learning, highlighting how easily he adapts to the dogs’ routines and needs especially during emergencies. “If I have to go somewhere, he’s the one who steps in to look after my dogs,” Michelle shares. “He’ll either stay at my place or come over to feed them, play with them and make sure that they’re looked after.”
Although Michelle normally takes the lead when it comes to walking her pets, her boyfriend always makes sure to lend a helping hand.
“Aaron is incredibly helpful,” she explains. “Whenever we go on road trips or even just for walks around the park, he is the one managing the stroller and other necessary supplies.”
“It helps that my boyfriend and I share the same passion for animals... this similarity has enabled us to do activities together with my pets, making our bonding experience stronger,” she says.
Michelle’s love for her pets is unwavering, and this sense of loyalty is something she has carried into her romantic life. “My perspective towards my pets has always remained the same since day one... to love, cherish and provide the best for them,” she explains. “So it is important that I find a balance when it comes to scheduling time with my partner and with my pets.”
Her experiences with her pets have also shaped her understanding of what makes a successful relationship: trust, mutual respect and affection.
“My pets have made me more aware of what I need in a partner. They’ve shown me the value of being present, caring and dependable,” she says. This philosophy extends beyond her pets and has influenced the way she values relationships.
“Having animals in my life has taught me so much about patience, empathy and unconditional love.
“It’s about caring for someone without expecting anything in return, being present and truly seeing them for who they are,” she adds.
Taking the leap
Like Michelle, other pet owners are also hoping to find that perfect partner and most of them do so by participating in blind and speed dating events where their love for pets becomes the perfect icebreaker and conversation starter.
Carlos Fernandez, 31, founder of a speed dating and social event organisation called Take The Leap, has transformed speed dating by offering a unique twist: a pet-friendly event designed to help connect people over their shared love for animals.
Originally from South America, Fernandez, who also works as a digital marketing manager for a pet food subscription service called Petchef, says that the idea of hosting pet-friendly events is to create an opportunity for people to meet and connect over animals.
Fernandez believes that pets can provide an easy icebreaker in a setting that often feels pressured or awkward, allowing singles to interact in a relaxed and lighthearted environment.
In order to be more inclusive, Fernandez (left, with Nala) intends to organise pet-friendly speed dating events outdoors. His wife, Nadia, is holding Paco.
One trend that Fernandez noticed during the planning of his first event was how most participants who signed up for the event were women in their 30’s.
“We only had a small number of people join us and most of them were single women in their late 20s and early to mid-30s who live with their pets,” he says. “I think being a pet parent is a very millennial thing... it is not something we often see among those in their early 20’s,” he adds.
“We study our demographics to make sure our next speed dating event is more inclusive and appeals to people who share an interest in animals but may not necessarily seek a pet-centred dating experience,” he explains.
Fernandez is eager to expand and enhance his events based on the feedback given by the participants from his first pet-friendly speed dating event. “They wanted future spaces to have more room for their pets to move around without being too confined,” he says.
“This is why we plan to organise our future events in bigger, more spacious areas such as parks or recreational centres so that it would be more inclusive, especially for pet owners with bigger dog breeds,” he shares.
Also a devoted dad to two cats named Paco and Nala, Fernandez has found a balance between pet parenthood and romance as he and his wife have established an agreement on care and boundaries for their feline companions.
“It was not difficult as we came to an agreement on care and expectations on what the cats can and cannot do,” he explains.
Although the cats can sometimes be disobedient, the couple work together to maintain a clean and comfortable home.
However, there’s no denying a little favouritism. “She just has her favourite child – she loves Paco,” Fernandez admits.
Having adopted the cats while already together, Fernandez says the biggest lesson that he and his wife have learned from the experience of being paw parents is about love and compromise.
“Love and sacrifice look different for each personality, but you can always find your way into adapting,” he adds.
“Through patience and understanding, my wife and I have now embraced our own unique family dynamics,” he concludes.
Michelle’s (left) and Aaron’s shared love for animals has strengthened their bonding experience. Michelle is holding Sunshine while Aaron is with Meymey. Photos: The Star/Low Lay Phon
In order to be more inclusive, Fernandez (left, with Nala) intends to organise pet-friendly speed-dating events outdoors. His wife, Nadia, is holding Paco.
Pet ownership is becoming increasingly significant in young people’s love lives.
