L.A Unleashed

SCENE

The industry's movers and shakers can be found following their animal instincts at Hollywood's star-studded dog runs.
by Jessica Shaw

The Sky Bar is tired. Spago Beverly Hills is booked till the end of the millennium. You can't get past the renovation around the Four Seasons' pool entrance. So what's a networking-hungry member of the glam set supposed to do to see and be seen during these dog days? Given that Tinseltown's de rigueur accessory is a power pooch, the best solution is to go to one of L.A.'s happening dog walks and run with the domesticated wolves. "It's a very social thing to do," says dog walker Kate Asner Luckerman, daughter of actor Ed Asner. "But since you're with your dog, it's also very peaceful." According to actor William H. Macy, who regularly heads for the dog run at Runyon Canyon with his Bernese mountain dog, Walter Wallingford, it's the perfect social activity for a star with a busy schedule. "I can do the whole shebang at Runyon in about 25 minutes," says Macy. "It gives me a chance to talk to all the other actors, and it's nice to not be in a car for once. And [Walter] is knackered by the time we get home." Herewith, a guide to where the stars go to flex their pups.

1

Beachwood Canyon
LOCATION North Hollywood, near Beachwood Drive and Franklin Ave.
ATMOSPHERE A strange blend, this spacious open park usually boasts a mixed crowd of tattooed musicians and Armani-suited execs.
AMENITIES Water faucets, numerous trash cans with attached pooper scoopers, an adjacent children's playground and sandbox, perfect for celebs in the all-in-the-family mode.
DRAWBACKS Occasionally inundated with tourists who flock to the run because of its clear sight lines to the Hollywood sign and to Madonna's former house (the one with the bright red and yellow stripes).
REGULAR CELEBS Courtney Thorne-Smith, Patrick Dempsey, Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis, Laura Leighton, Melissa Joan Hart.

2

Runyon Canyon
LOCATION 2000 North Fuller Ave., in the Hollywood Hills.
ATMOSPHERE Rugged and hilly, with a dirt hiking trail that offers a serious workout. Canines have to share space with human bicyclists and two-footed runners.
AMENITIES Water faucets and metal drinking bowls, complimentary plastic baggies for easy-access poop disposal, plentiful trash cans throughout park.
DRAWBACKS A locker-room aroma--in other words, it smells like a toilet. (What else would you expect at a jock park?)
REGULAR CELEBS Calista Flockhart, William H. Macy, Melissa Etheridge, Brian Austin Green.

3

Laurel Canyon Park
LOCATION 8260 Mulholland Drive, in Studio City.
ATMOSPHERE The Bel Air of dog runs. Ritzy and chichi, with well-manicured lawns, picturesque trees, and clean benches. Needless to say, the crowd is pure pedigree.
AMENITIES See: Atmosphere.
DRAWBACKS Your pooch may not be able to hear you above the chorus of chirping cell phones.
REGULAR CELEBS Ione Skye, Lisa Rinna, Natasha Henstridge, Jack Lemmon, Clive Barker.

4

The Barrington Recreation Center
LOCATION 333 South Barrington Ave., in Brentwood.
ATMOSPHERE Despite the tony address, this is definitely soccer-mom city. Picture a typical suburban municipal park--without the glitter or the glam.
AMENITIES Beginning Oct. 10, Companion Dog Training will be offering obedience classes at this location.
DRAWBACKS Need to negotiate the obstacle course of baby strollers, softball players, and random flying Frisbees.
REGULAR CELEBS DreamWorks exec Ted Harbert, Fox Entertainment Group president Peter Roth, California state senator Tom Hayden, former Melrose Place gal Kristin Davis.