3 mobile apps for dog lovers

NEW YORK - Americans spend billions of dollars on pets. We love them. They're members of the family, so it makes sense that app makers are finding ways to make life with a dog easier and more fun.

Swifto brings walking your dog into the 21st Century with real-time GPS tracking of your furry friend. The mystery of what happens once a dog walker picks up your dog can now be solved, according to Mashable's Lance Ulanoff.

"Now you can know everything that's going to happen because they provide an app," Ulanoff says. "You can know when they picked up the dog, where they are going with the dog, when the dog has gone a number 2, like everything."

Updates, tracking maps, and pictures will help give dog owners peace of mind when those paws hit the pavement.

If your boxer is looking for some tail, check out Tindog. Yes, a dating app for dogs. Well, maybe not just for your dog.

"There's something really interesting about it. It works just like Tinder," Ulanoff says. "You see pictures of dogs, swipe left if you're not interested, swipe right if you want to make a match. But, you know what else is on that page -- the owner."

That's right: you can chat with other dog owners, plan a double date over biscuits, and your Riley may not be the only one to find love in the park.

If you want to plan a getaway out of the city and are looking for dog-friendly places to go, there's an app for that. Make your travel plans with Bring Fido. This app is the mobile version of the popular website by the same name. Bring Fido is an excellent resource for finding pet-friendly locations like hotels, restaurants, parks, and attractions. You can search by distance, ratings, and price. Find hotels that welcome big dogs and multiple pets. And there is also a canine cornucopia of walkers, groomers, sitters, veterinarians, and pet supply stores that will keep your dog's tail wagging.