# Help the pathetic Loser!!!!!

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-pathetic-loser/65466>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [May 15, 2001, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-pathetic-loser/65466 "2001-05-15T02:47:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![tevya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@tevya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tevya)\
**Post date:** [May 18, 2001, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-pathetic-loser/65466/21 "2001-05-18T11:50:59Z")

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I suggest getting a dog and taking frequent walks in neighborhood parks. I know when I was single I was a sucker for a guy walking a dog.

Dogs are really great ice breakers. You become instantly approachable because the dog acts as a buffer. Your first topic of conversation is already taken care of. Plus it reveals you to be a caring and responsible person. Chicks dig that 😉

Of course only take this advice if you are prepared for the responsibility of owning a dog.

P.S. Elmwood, your post was so evocative and well written that it makes me want to date you. My husband, however, may have a thing or two to say about that. 😉

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**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2001, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-the-pathetic-loser/65466/22 "2001-05-19T01:52:03Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> I suggest getting a dog and taking frequent walks in neighborhood parks. I know when I was single I was a sucker for a guy walking a dog.

Unfortunately, the standard rules of dating don’t seem to apply to me. Not only do [I have a dog](http://www.verinet.com/~tasman/bailey.jpg), but she’s _extremely_ approachable – a friendly rare breed pooch with coloring that’s considered unusual even for her breed. Conversation maker? You bet! (Whenever I hear a woman say “Cute!” when I’m walking Bailey, I want to respond with “… and what do you think of the dog?”)

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to turn dog-fueled conversation into a date – I can’t get past that fear of “She must get hit on all the time. If I make a move, I’ll appear to be a pest.” That combination of being a “recovering nice guy” along with the lessons I’ve learned from living in the big city get in the way.

> [@](#):
>
> P.S. Elmwood, your post was so evocative and well written that it makes me want to date you. My husband, however, may have a thing or two to say about that.

Sigh. Proof that all the good ones are taken. ☹

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