Woman says her dog’s ‘sixth sense’ helped her find her fiance and pup gave ‘blessing’ to get engaged

A woman who says her dog has a “sixth sense” for spotting Mr Right has got engaged, after her dog gave his “blessing to say yes” by showing how much he loves her fiance.

Yasmin Al-Saie, a 45-year-old holistic practitioner and pet influencer from Notting Hill, west London, was given her chihuahua Chilli as a wedding present from her then-husband in 2012, and the pair soon formed a “deep and unbreakable bond”.

Following her divorce in 2019, Yasmin began dating again a year later and decided to bring Chilli along to help her feel more at ease.

She quickly noticed that Chilli seemed to have a “sixth sense” about people – offering his approval by bringing them a toy and showing affection, or showing disapproval by acting jumpy and even “tinkling” on one suitor’s bag.

One person Chilli always adored was Yasmin’s friend Hichame Karkar, 47, a council worker, and over the years their friendship gradually blossomed into something more.

The pair made their relationship official in December 2024, with Hichame even cooking gourmet meals for Chilli, and Yasmin’s other chihuahua, Sukhi.

In May 2025, Hichame proposed with Chilli’s help, and the couple now plan to marry next summer, with Chilli and Sukhi as ringbearers, dressed in a tuxedo and dress.

Yasmin told PA Real Life: “By Chilli showing how much he loves Hichame, he gave me his blessing to say yes to the proposal and marry him.

“If Chilli had not approved, we wouldn’t be together, it’s impossible for me to be with someone who Chilli does not like.”

Hichame added: “How could I not have involved Chilli (in the proposal)?

“He’s Yasmin’s soulmate and now he’s mine too, so of course he was a big part of the proposal. I was proposing to the three of them.”

After getting married in 2012, Yasmin’s then-husband gifted her Chilli as a wedding present, and over the years, she and her furry friend developed a “deep and unbreakable bond”.

Following her divorce in 2019, Yasmin noticed that Chilli struggled to adjust to life without her ex-husband around.

So, about a year later, when Yasmin felt ready to start dating again, she decided to bring Chilli along, thinking it might help her feel more at ease, and “be good for” him to “meet more people”.

She said she quickly realised that Chilli seemed to have a “sixth sense” about dates, showing clear approval or disapproval of her potential partners.

She said: “Chilli knows what he likes and what he doesn’t like.

“If he likes someone, he will let them stroke him, he will maybe bring a toy, entice them to play with him and show interest.

“If he doesn’t approve of someone, he will stay away, he will be on high alert and he’ll be very nervy and jumpy.”

On one occasion, Yasmin said Chilli expressed his disapproval by “tinkling on the date’s designer bag” after the man refused to share his steak with him.

Yasmin felt that paying attention to her dates’ demeanour reminded her of the qualities that “truly matter” in a relationship, such as “kindness and a good heart”.

This made her realise, one of her friends, Hichame, was adored by Chilli, and she slowly began to think there could be a romantic connection there.

In around 2019, Yasmin joined London’s Latin dance community and met Hichame through mutual friends.

Over the years, Yasmin and Hichame would “bump into each other” at various events, but were both seeing other people at the time.

They eventually struck up a friendship “very organically” – throughout 2023, Hichame began inviting Yasmin out at weekends to go dancing, and soon they started going for dinner beforehand.

They both began to think their connection could be “something more” – the pair made their relationship official in December 2024, and Yasmin felt even more reassured as Chilli already gave him his approval.

Yasmin said: “Chilli just embraced him and always loved him when he saw him in the park and out and about.

“I realised how much this man cares for me and since we got together we’ve been inseparable.”

Hichame added: “Honestly I was shocked at how Chilli treated me after seeing him interact with many other friends – he welcomed me from the first moment I met him!”

When Yasmin explained her deep connection with Chilli – and the fact that she relies on his approval when dating – she said Hichame completely “understood”.

“He said ‘Animals know best and they can understand people’ – he grew up in the countryside on a farm and he loves animals,” Yasmin explained.

“He immediately started cooking for the dogs.

“He makes sure they don’t eat the same thing all the time, he will buy them different kinds of meat, different kinds of vegetables, he really, really takes care of them and when he watches TV they both come and cuddle him.

“I feel so blessed, he just embraced me and my whole package.”

In May 2025, Yasmin, Hichame, Sukhi and Chilli “were all cuddling in bed” when Hichame placed a sign around Chilli’s neck which read: ‘Will you marry my human?’

Yasmin said: “It felt like a family decision and of course I said yes!”

Hichame added: “I suddenly saw the future I was dreaming of for many years becoming our reality.

“We had been good friends for a long time and from one moment to the next my dream came true!

“Maybe I have a sixth sense too – I could feel Yasmin was the one from the moment I met her.”

Yasmin and Hichame plan to tie the knot next summer and the dogs will “definitely be involved”.

Yasmin said: “Chilli will definitely be wearing a tuxedo, and Sukhi will be wearing a gorgeous dress – they will have to be the ring bearers!”

To others “thinking about putting themselves out there romantically”, Yasmin recommends bringing their dog along on dates.

She explained: “I think it saves you a lot of time – if you bring your dog, you will immediately know whether this person is going to fit into your life.”

To find out more about Yasmin and her dogs, visit: www.instagram.com/chilliwawa.