Liam’s editor offers him a dream assignment: 3 months in Kyoto, no pets allowed. He’s torn. Maya overhears him on the phone saying, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” That night, she preemptively ends it: “Go. You’re a nomad. I’m rooted. That’s fine.” What she doesn’t say: I’m terrified you’ll leave anyway, so I’ll push you first. What he doesn’t say: I’m terrified that staying means I’ve given up my freedom.

And to the Dog Mad Girls reading this: Keep holding out for the one who takes the dog’s side in an argument. That’s the keeper. That’s the happy ending.

No honest article about these relationships can ignore the cautionary tales. For every adorable "he loves my pitbull" story, there is a Reddit post in r/relationships titled: "I (28M) found out my GF (27F) gave my vintage comic book collection to the dog as a chew toy."