There is a guy in our office block that has a tres cute Staffie puppy, and us girls like to tease him about his ‘chick magnet’. It doesn’t hurt that he’s tall and rather hot, as any female will agree there will never be a more winning combination than a cute guy with a cute puppy. This got me thinking though, about men and props… and whether they actually need them or not.
When it works…
The only time a prop such as a cute dog will work is if the guy is also cute or at least appealing. Puppies are a natural people magnet as they are, and most likely a girl will stop to pet the puppy regardless of what the owner looks like. However, that will be the end of that little encounter unless the guy has something more to keep her there. Puppies are basically a natural opener, in other words. Confidence is therefore a key part of a prop’s success, as is a bit of charm and minimal game strategy. If you happen to own a dog, then it could easily work – if you have to borrow one to pick up chicks, you have missed the point.
Getting it right
Of course, cute guys with cute puppies will also be magnets for old ladies, children, cougars, MILFS and just about any random member of the public, as will not-so-cute guys with cute puppies. C’est la vie, it goes with the territory.
When it doesn’t quite work…
Of course, not all guys with dogs will get attention. I grew up being a little wary of big dogs, and while I am happy to get jumped on and licked by friendly, safe-looking dogs, I will avoid big and scary-looking dogs, regardless of what the owner looks like. Also, some guys with dogs may be scary-looking themselves. Whatever the case, I don’t want to get bitten by the dog or its owner, just not worth the hassle.
Getting it wrong
Also, guys who have their Facebook profile pic of them and their dog make me a bit suspicious. True story, some guys take the props thing to a whole new level, and while I’m sure Marley and you are awesome, for all I know you borrowed the pooch for that perfect Kodak moment.
When it works really, really well…
If you’re going to get a prop, get a cool prop that kicks butt. I once knew a guy who had a crow, it would fly next to him and sleep on his windowsill and sit on his shoulder and eat cat food out of those Whiskers sachets. Aside from the fact that it could easily have pecked his eyes out, it was pretty awesome. Iguanas, cats, ferrets and eels are also good. Of course, you can’t really take your eel for a walk, but you will more than redeem yourself when you feed it bloodworms and she gasps in horror and awe.
Getting it totally right
Bunnies are a tough one though. Manly men could probably get away with it, metrosexuals maybe not so much. If your rabbit is of the manic, wire-eating variety, it might give some street cred, I dunno.
A final note on props…
Props like this are accidental, an added benefit of owning a cool pet. Women who only go for a guy because of his adorable puppy are obviously pretty shallow, and guys who go out and buy an animal for the sake of it are *this* close to being as bad as Wedding Crashers and Hugh Grant in About a Boy. Besides this, many cute guys with cute pets have cute girlfriends or wives too.
Nevertheless, it doesn’t change the fact that women will ALWAYS swoon over hot guys and baby animals. It’s genetic, or something. 
P.S. I’m loving these hilarious e-cards… too classic.
