Are you a dog person? If so, you may not realize it, but you've automatically become an honorary member of a rather large clique. It's true that pet lovers are of a special breed - no pun intended, but did you know you can capitalize on this? Did you know that pets can actually act as social lubricants, getting you out to meet people and allowing you to connect more easily with a potential friend or mate? Dogs are pack animals, which means they are naturally very social creatures. They also tend to be adorable, attracting plenty of attention with little to no effort on their parts! If you love them yourself and are in need of more 2-legged companions, let Fido become matchmaker! Here's how!

As all pet-owners know, it's important for a pet to be both active and well socialized. It's your job, as a responsible owner, to meet these needs. The best way to go about doing that is to actually take your pet out into the world. Visiting dog parks and other pet-friendly locales, or even simple walks through the neighborhood not only burn off some of that extra energy, but allow both you and your pet to come in contact with a variety of new people. Add a few ounces of furry adorableness, and you have perfect strangers lining up to complement your pet and learn more about both of you. If they happen to be dog people themselves, it could be a gateway to new friendships for both you and your pet. You will, after all, have something instantly in common. Schedule a couple safe pet play dates, and you have an instant pal.

We all know that dogs can provide barrels of fluffy love, but they also provide their owners with a sense of confidence. Many note that when they're out with their dogs, they feel more comfortable, assertive, and less shy. Dog antics often relieve a bit of the uncomfortable tension surrounding first encounters, providing a bit of humor and conversation. Your adorable sidekick's amiability and confidence will be transferred to you, the owner, and allow you to become more open and friendly yourself. Suddenly you'll feel less afraid of looking like a fool, have things to talk about, and be able to laugh easily.

Pets have long been considered to be therapeutic. They help people feel less lonely, deal with loss and just feel a bit loved. If you find that you're still nervous meeting new people even with a dog at your side, you'll find comfort in knowing that you have a friend despite yourself. There's a certain danger associated with becoming too reliant on your four-legged friend, however, and for both of you. Dogs need to meet new people and dogs to be both happy and healthy - and so do you. Taking care of a pet requires a tremendous amount of love and dedication on your part - please don't adopt one simply as a ploy to meet new people. If you love dogs and are ready to take on the responsibility of one, however, take advantage of his natural charisma!