From 5 to 7 p.m., I was on an upscale restaurant patio observing singles swirling around in an odd mating ritual. Women who were being licked and having their crotches sniffed, not only didn't mind, they loved it. In fact, they'd rub their prospective partner's belly as a thank you.

What I was witnessing was G-rated, actually P-rated, as it was "Yappy Hour," a weekly meet-and-greet between singles and their dogs. It seems dogs, acting as conversation catalysts or social lubricants, have an amazing ability to fetch a date.

While women such as my 19-year-old daughter, Mikkel, know lots of men who are dogs, it's great to meet a guy who loves dogs, and who matches up to the positive social attributes we automatically assign to pet lovers.

"Pet lovers are warm, caring and responsible; all good qualities to find in people whether you're looking for a friend, a date, or a long-term relationship," says Dan Cohen, Founder of AnimalAttraction.com, an online dating and community Web site where thousands of pet lovers from all over the United States go to meet, mingle, and connect through their shared passion for pets.

A different approach is taken by datemypet.com where you can go online with the goal of dating a person or a pet.

"It's easy to say hello to a dog - and a person with a dog. The dog allow us humans to forget our self-doubts and relax," says Deborah Wood, author of "The Dog Lover's Guide to Dating: Using Cold Noses to Find Warm Hearts."

Wood also adds with a laugh, "If you don't find the two-legged love of your life, the nice thing is that you have your doting dog to go home with. That's sometimes the smartest choice."

MARTY BECKER is the author of two new books, "Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul" and "Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul." and a popular veterinary contributor for ABC's "Good Morning America." Write to him in care of Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service, 700 12th St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005.