It's a Dog Day Afternoon, as Hollywood Pooches Paw Their Way into the High Life

by Lara Morgenson | August 11, 2005

 

Party Girl & her dog Freddie

My life has gone to the dogs, literally. The other night, I was at a pup-strutting fashion show inspired by the flick Must Love Dogs, where stars like Paula Abdul worked the runway with couture-clad canines. Now, I'm headed to a decadent doggy do hosted by Celebrity Living magazine and party maven Lara Shriftman at a swanky beachside pad in Malibu. Darlings, do you really think these well-heeled socializers are gonna throw a chintzy backyard BBQ? As if!

I'll admit my animal outings usually involve a Juicy sweatsuit and a muddy dog park, but I'm under strict instructions to wear either white or black. So, I've donned my cute, cream-colored peasant sundress and given my rescued pup, Freddie, strict instructions on proper behavior, like no barking and no chewing up the chintz throw pillows. After all, this is her first Hollywood party, so I don't want any fashion faux paws (sorry, couldn't resist).

Luckily, there's order to all the mutt madness, with trainers from Kelly's Pet Care on hand to keep the afternoon from turning into a dog pound. It's a good thing, too, because the setting is low-key chichi, with such sweet black-and-white decorations (that explains the dress code) as centerpieces of stuffed poodles, dog bowls filled with chocolate-dipped cookie "bones" for the (two-legged) guests and chaise lounges set up poolside, where bathing beauties can keep an eye on their kids.