Matchmaker on a leash

[bigdoglover]

ocregister.com

By Katherine Ngyan

Forget your smooth-talking buddy. Man's Best Wingman may very well be a pooch.

Fashion Island's Muttropolis boutique, which sells chi-chi dog products, recently hosted a Mutt Mingle meet-up where pet owners brought their furry friends along to socialize. In the works: "Singles for Mutt Mingles" events, where animals and their human owners can hook up.

Bret and Lorne Ahmed of Irvine admitted they brought Roxy, their boxer-shepherd mix, in hopes of meeting some women.

"I wonder if we would have had better luck with one of those little 'purse' dogs," joked Lorne Ahmed, 20.

Making love connections through pets isn't a new concept. Niche dating Web sites such as datemypet.comand animalattraction.com, where people post bios and pictures of their beloved pets in hopes of a match – have been a hit on the singles-with-pets scene.

Members can seek other pet owners to find compatible playmates for Fido, or in many cases, go on a date with someone with similar pet interests.

"There's a lot of pressure when it comes to big sites like Match.com or eHarmony.com," said Robert Yau, founder of datemypet.com. "Those kind of sites usually stress finding your perfect match or your soulmate, which we don't do. It's just about having a good time, meeting new people and their pets."

Datemypet.com receives about 50,000 unique visitors a month. Said Yau, "We've really tapped into a niche. There are a lot of single people out there and a lot of animal lovers."

Consider the results of a survey taken by the American Kennel Club this year:

• When it comes to meeting women, 58 percent of men said a puppy is a foolproof babe-magnet in the park. (Only 25 percent said a baby is better.)

• Forty-six percent of women said they'd stop and talk to anyone with a cute puppy.

At the Mutt Mingle event, Jake Fischer didn't have any trouble talking to a few women, but stopped short of admitting he used his boxer, Maverick, with an ulterior motive.

"I will say (dogs) are incredible conversation starters," said Fischer, who lives in Huntington Beach. "That's not Maverick's purpose, but sure, it's definitely an added bonus of having him when attractive women approach us."

The dogs as date bait phenomenon was highlighted in "The Dog Lover's Guide to Dating" in 2003. Author Deborah Wood found that "people are three times as likely to meet someone with a dog ... and that people with dogs are perceived as friendlier, more approachable and just plain nicer." The book also included tips on how to "train your dog to fetch a date" and "how to use your dog to prolong – or end – a date."

For Kelly Podoloff, it was love at first slobber. On her first date with the man she would marry, Andrew, the couple walked his English bulldog, Lucky.

"I just remember thinking, if you love a dog, you can't be a bad person," said Podoloff, 27, of Ladera Ranch. "Now (Lucky) favors me more than him."

At the popular Dog Beach in Huntington Beach, longtime park volunteer Denis Hite said he's seen plenty of interactions turn into something more.

"Oh, I've even seen some marriages come out of it," said Hite, who said he's been volunteering at Dog Beach for 10 years. "As a matter of fact, there have been several weddings right here on Dog Beach.

"A lot of times, you see people who don't look like they belong together ... but it's the animals who bring them together."

It might go something like this: Woman goes for a walk. Spots cute dog with single male owner, melts and takes the bait. Clever male pours it on. "Yep, this is Fido. He loves being petted by beautiful women."

Sometimes, dogs attract more attention than is needed. Joey Culpepper said his cocker spaniel, Charlie, brings him attention all the time.

"Aw man, every time I take this guy out, all the women come over," said Culpepper, of Long Beach. "And I'm not even trying. I'm married."

While a pet could help you meet someone, Yau and others emphasize that should never be the only reason to get a dog.

"Obviously if you're getting a dog just to pick up on people, you've uh, got some problems," said Yau, laughing. "It should be a bonus from loving and taking care of a pet. If you're really that desperate, I'd say go to the bar. It's a lot cheaper and less maintenance."

[Ritz459]

"Obviously if you're getting a dog just to pick up on people, you've uh, got some problems," said Yau, laughing. "It should be a bonus from loving and taking care of a pet. If you're really that desperate, I'd say go to the bar. It's a lot cheaper and less maintenance."

ROFL!!