Even if you don’t have a doggy of your own, you likely see dogs every day. When I’m walking to work and see an incredibly excitable puppy lunging toward me, I often feel conflicted about how to proceed. While, on the one hand, I’d love to pet the dog and give it all of the affirmations it deserves, I know most dog walkers usually don’t want to get stopped by randos. It’s a brutal world out there for us dog lovers without pets of our own. 

One of my favorite dog-related activities is looking at photos and videos of my parent’s doggies. I’ve only been around them in person for about three weeks in total, but after countless hours of watching them fetching, sitting, smiling, and eating, I know those golden retrievers better than I know most of my extended family. It’s safe to say I have a parasocial relationship with my parent’s dogs. If you’re struggling with a similar long-distance relationship, it’s a perfect time to settle down and consume some dog memes. These dogs are anonymous and will likely fill the void of petlessness just as well.