When Ilene Ross burst through the doors at the swanky Bossa Nova for cocktail hour, heads whipped around and conversations paused, but no one seemed to notice the striking brunette. Instead, a flock of women rushed around Ross' date and started rubbing his belly. Buck responded with a lick and sniff to the crotch.
It's not common bar etiquette, but Buck, a pit bull mix from the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania, worked his charm. It was "Yappy Hour," a weekly meet-and-greet between young cosmopolitans and animals up for adoption. Ross, the vice president of the shelter's board of directors, said it's no secret that Fido can help fetch a date and thought the martini and tapas bar would be a perfect venue for their fund-raiser.
"People are drawn to the excitement a pet brings," she said, steadying herself on her stiletto heels while grasping Buck's leash. "Instead of saying, 'Hey, I think you're great looking,' you can say, 'Hey, I think your pet's great looking."
Beth Olesh, 33, of Brentwood she had talked to almost everyone at the tables surrounding her as they oohed and ahhed over the dogs at this Yappy Hour.
"Even at the bar scene, people stick with people they know, but as soon as you stick a really cute dog in the mix, it breaks the ice," Olesh said. "I see people craning their necks to check out the dogs. It changes the pace of your usual happy hour."
The mutt as matchmaker. It's not only strategy used by the Animal Rescue League at Bossa Nova, it's an age-old pick-up tool used at parks across the planet.
Dan Cohen witnessed a puppy pick-up while walking by a restaurant patio a couple years ago, and he started joking with friends that he should open a business renting dogs to single guys. Cohen, who lives in Washington, D.C., tweaked his idea and founded the Web site www.animalattraction.com . People can post a profile and search for that special companion -- with or without fur.
"People who have pets tend to be caring, responsible people," Cohen said. "It's a safe conversation starter, and you know immediately you have something in common."
Denise Lohr knows plenty of men who are dogs. What she needs is a guy who loves dogs.
Lohr, 50, of Squirrel Hill signed on to www.animalattraction.com in hopes of finding a (pet) lover. She's been a member for more than a month, and while she hasn't met anyone face to face yet, she's gotten several responses to her profile.
"I kept meeting guys who'd say, 'Well, you'll meet someone who loves dogs someday.' I went to Animal Attraction because I thought I'd have better luck if I was looking for someone who made animals a priority," Lohr said.
Since Lohr started her own professional dog walking service, www.pet1pgh.com, it's become crucial for her partner has that animal magnetism, too.
"I find myself really attracted to men who know a lot about pets, who could help me with mine and go on a walk in a park," she said.
But nothing about dating is ever a walk in the park.
Back at Bossa Nova, Travis Matz, 31, of Wexford crawled back in his booth after petting a tan-and-white spotted dog.
"Pets are non-judgmental. They don't care if you're fat or old. They just want to be around you," Matz said.
His friend, John Cory, said he knows an even better chick magnet than pets: Kids. Cory, a thirty-something from the North Hills, admitted that before he met his wife, he used to "borrow" his brother's kids to take to the park.
"Dogs are solid, but infants are better," he said.
It takes a special breed of singles to make it work.
Like owner, like dog
Trib p.m. surveyed local dog breeders, animal shelters and veterinarians to decipher what your dog says about you. Their tip: You can usually describe the dog breed and the owner with the same traits. Scary how well that works, isn't it?
Boston Terriers: Big dog in a small package. Active and will stand up to anything.
Rottweiler: Rough exterior, cuddly on the inside. But the bite can be as bad as the bark.
Poodle: High maintenance. Attention seeking. Propensity for wild 'dos.
Chihuahua: Toys. Are these things (and owners) for real⢠Think Paris and Britney.
Pugs: Endearing. Love attention and will not leave you alone until you rub their bellies.
Great Danes: Masculine, but elegant. Gentle giants. Could be overcompensating.
Basset Hound: Sappy and happy-go-lucky. Hard to dislike something (someone) with such a pathetically cute look.
Labrador Retriever: Smart, funny and energetic. Loves to entertain and be entertained. Additional Information:
Details
Yappy HourWhen: 6 to 8 p.m. Fridays in March
Where: Bossa Nova, 123 7th St., Downtown
What: Meet-and-greet with pets up for adoption while sipping on martinis and munching tapas
How much: $10 donation benefits the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania
Details: Call Mark Berton at (412) 661-6452, ext 219
