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| - A Cute Animal Friend (CAF) is an animal companion of a Mary Sue. This companion can be a familiar, a friend, a servant, or hold some other relationship with the Sue... but the purpose of a Cute Animal Friend is always to empower or mark the Sue as special. Any animal or pet that doesn't do that isn't a Cute Animal Friend, but merely an animal companion or a normal critter. Cute Animal Friends are usually 'nice' animals, such as cute domestic animals and the more majestic or romantic wild animals, including fantastical creatures. Rarely are 'ugly' animals seen as Cute Animal Friends, even if they would be just as apt companions. There is a distinct lack of iguanas, pigs, or rhinoceros, for example. However, there are occasional instances of a creature not normally thought of as cute (such as a snake or bat) becoming the companion of a Sue or Gary Stu. This seems to be more common in the case of Stus. Having an animal companion is not a sign of being a Mary Sue, but a Sue with an animal companion will tend to extend their disruptive influence to their pets, or use said pets as cheap sentiments or substitutes for real characterization. In the worst cases, the Animal Friend may be no more than a fashion piece that the Sue adds to her image. It is not uncommon for Cute Animal Friends to be neglected by the Sue, as they are usually only there to show how special the she is. They are killed or recruited at the agents' discretion. In some cases, the CAF might be able to assimilate back into the canon as a normal animal. 'Cute Animal Friend' is a negative term, and shouldn't be applied to any acceptable animal in fiction. However, a CAF's low quality is not always the CAF's fault. Usually, it is the resident Sue's fault. Even so, the presence of a very disruptive CAF, especially if it breaks canon to empower a Sue (I ride the ONLY Rainbow Dragon in Pern! I have a one-of-a-kind Pokémon! I own a telepathic raven which makes me more mysterious and amazing!) can be a charge.
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