John Charles writes: “Pets make everything better. So is it any wonder that many romance novels include a furry, four-footed sidekick in the plot? Authors can showcase the softer side of a hero or heroine who might initially comes across as cold or emotionally distant by incorporating a dog/cat into the love story. At their core, romance novels are all about love. And as this perfect pack of 16 dog- and cat-friendly contemporary love stories aptly demonstrates, who is better at providing unconditional love than a pet?