It’s a love story for the ages.
This time last year, Ali Renteria and her dog Lincoln were an adorable twosome, enjoying life together as a perfect pair. But a lot has changed for them both since then.
And it all began with a single question.
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This past summer, Renteria was perusing the popular dating app, Hinge, when one profile caught her eye — that of Ryan McCarthy. Though the two were strangers, it was clear from the start that they had something special in common.
They both had dogs that they love dearly.
Commenting on one of McCarthy’s photos of him and his pup, Cruz, Renteria decided to break the ice by asking: “Why do I feel like our dogs would be best friends?”
And in a viral TikTok posted a few months after that, she was proven right:
@reneeeeali Replying to @Jen @Hinge 🖤 the app thats meant to be deleted, definitely got deleted. #fyp #fypシ゚viral #hinge #hingesuccessstory #chocolatelab #goldenretriever #besties ♬ Real Love Baby – Father John Misty
“We said I love you two months into dating and have spent every moment together,” Renteria wrote. “Still can’t believe he’s a stranger I met on the internet. He’s my absolute best friend.”
All the while, Lincoln and Cruz grew inseparable as well. They’d never been in want of love and affection with their respective parents, but now they had even more to enjoy with one another.
@reneeeeali they do everything together 🤣 #fypシ #goldenretriever #chocolatelab #bestfriends #dogsoftiktok #fypシ゚viral #fyp ♬ They Might Kiss x Promiscuous – They Might Kiss & relaxing music & Dj Viral TikToker & Dance Monkey & Make The Girl Dance
Since then, holidays have come and gone spent joyfully as a foursome — the first, perhaps, of many more to come.
@reneeeeali the ✨BEST✨ day ever for Mr. Cruzie #dogsoftiktok #goldenretriever #christmas #dink #fyp #fypシ ♬ William Tell Overture – Finale (Instrumental) – The Philadelphia Orchestra
Six months on, Renteria and McCarthy are still writing their own love story, one which began with a simple question.
With their cherished pups by their side through it all, however, they’re already looking very much like family.
@reneeeeali Replying to @Ella Langley 🤎🤍 update they still very much love one another 🥹 @Shelby Burchfield #dogsoftiktok #chocolatelab #goldenretriever #bestfriends #dogs #hinge #fyp #fypシ゚viral #pictures #monday #love #brothers ♬ you look like you love me – Ella Langley & Riley Green
For Lincoln, Cruz and their parents, this has been a year to remember. But with each tender glance and happily wagging tail, the best may be yet to come.
