Just a year ago, Ali Renteria and her pup Lincoln were the ultimate duo — best friends enjoying everyday adventures together. But neither of them could have predicted how one small moment would turn their perfect pair into a joyful pack of four.
It all started with a single question.
While scrolling through Hinge this past summer, Renteria came across a profile that stood out. It belonged to Ryan McCarthy — and more importantly, featured a photo of him with his dog, Cruz. Something about it struck a chord. With a spark of curiosity (and maybe a hint of fate), she sent him a message:
“Why do I feel like our dogs would be best friends?”
As it turns out, she was absolutely right.
They arranged a first date — humans and dogs all included — and from the moment they met, it was magic. Renteria and McCarthy hit it off instantly, and their pups did too, forming an adorable bond that mirrored their owners’ growing connection.
Love blossomed quickly. Just two months in, the couple exchanged “I love you’s” and began building a life together. Lincoln and Cruz, once only-children, became inseparable brothers — sharing treats, naps, and tail-wagging joy as if they'd always known each other.
“He’s my absolute best friend,” Renteria wrote of McCarthy in a now-viral TikTok. “Still can’t believe he was a stranger I met on the internet.”
Now, with six months of memories behind them, the two couples — one human, one canine — are celebrating holidays, milestones, and everyday moments as a joyful, blended family.
For Lincoln and Cruz, life is full of playdates and cuddles. For Renteria and McCarthy, it’s full of gratitude for that one little question that changed everything.
This may have started with a swipe and a spark, but from the look of it — and the happily wagging tails — this love story is only just beginning.
