Puppies = A Girl's Kryptonite

On occasion, I will sub in at the pet store that I worked for about a year and a half ago.  I love the people that own the store - they've become extended family as far as I'm concerned.  I also met some really wonderful customers (mostly the regulars, but some newbies as well) and, of course, their four legged furry family members.  This month I've subbed in frequently (and fortunately for me - I'm so broke).  Little did I know that it's puppy season!  Warm and wiggly little fur balls galore!  I've cradled baby frenchies with their bat-like ears and funny noises.  I've squeezed and nuzzled blue nosed pitties with their amazing mouse-like tails.  I've even smothered a few mutts that must've been half adorable, other half I'm-gonna-eat-you-up.

I also discovered that puppies are chick magnets.  This Sunday while at the store, I found myself mopping and restocking the aisles after a big rush of customers when a young man walked in with the above mentioned blue nosed pitbull puppy.  I immediately went from cashier and customer service rep - professional and polite, to a big melted puddle of affectionate ooze that spilled all over this little dog.  Yes, I normally would have been embarrassed over my reaction and would have sought out the nearest dark hole to crawl into, but for some strange reason I seemed to lack any control over my own actions from that point forward.  I felt no regret in my unusual display of "girliness".  Once I reluctantly handed the puppy back to her owner and waited on another customer I managed to regain some of my dignity.  But it's what happened next that brought up this subject for a blog.  Two women entered the store together, followed by a third and were immediately drawn toward the puppy like bees to honey.  I watched as the three women reacted just as I had a few minutes earlier.  This time instead of being mesmerized by the puppy, I watched the dog's owner.  The young man was really enjoying all the attention his little dog was getting for sure, but it was also obvious to me once I'd taken a step back that he was also flirting with each of the girls googling over his puppy.  Now, don't get me wrong, there's no doubt in my mind that this man loved his dog, he paid near a small fortune for her with the huge doggy haul he bought.  But he was also very much aware of the fact that his puppy could do what most guys find a daunting task - walk straight up to a girl (or a group of them in this guy's case), and be a shamelessly flirt with little risk of rejection.  Puppies are a girl's kryptonite.

That's right ladies, we have a major weakness and some intuitive guys have figured it out.  Maybe that's why dogs are known as man's best friend.  I don't think this very powerful form of kryptonite applies to cat people, but let's face it, cat people are just weird - or at least wired differently (I'm sure we dog people seem weird to you too).  :-)  So beware, it's puppy season and some relatively cute guys are walking around with precious little fluffy heart breakers cuddled against their chests.