For the purpose of this report, "girl dog" refers to a female canine character, often anthropomorphized, who is depicted as being in a romantic relationship or having romantic interests. "Exclusive relationships" refers to the portrayal of these characters as being in committed, monogamous relationships, while "romantic storylines" refers to the narrative arcs that focus on the romantic aspects of these relationships.

She was twenty-nine, living alone in a creaking farmhouse at the edge of a town that forgot her name. Her days were quiet: coffee on the porch, work from a laptop, dinner for one. The only heartbeat she woke up to was a warm, wet nose pressing into her palm.

In many modern societies, dogs are viewed as "person substitutes". Research indicates that women often report higher levels of attachment and more satisfying emotional bonds with their dogs compared to human partners, except for their own children.