By Maya Alarcon

In LA, people and their dogs are as intrinsic to each other as traffic and the 405 (hmmmm). I see people with their dogs in tow everywhere; often on a leash, but sometimes tucked and cleverly hidden in a bag, the better to be snuck into a restaurant or bank. Just the other day at my yoga studio, as the class before mine was letting out, I bore witness to a crime so quintessentially LA: a (out of the bottle) blonde woman, with some after-market parts (you catch my drift), stashing away her little, fluffy dog in his designer doggie carrier after stuffing in her yoga mat. It seems the pooch sat quietly alongside “mom’s” mat while she practiced her warrior pose and is, apparently, so well-behaved that he’s a regular at the Monday 4:30 PM class (if only I were so consistent). This got me wondering, is there anywhere anymore that people don’t go with their canine companions?

The way I see it there are two types of dog people: people who just like dogs (normal, like me), and people who can’t live without their dogs for a moment, who treat their dogs better than children, who take their dogs everywhere and can’t bear to leave them at home (dog-o-philes). I believe Yoga Lady clearly falls into this second extreme category, and so I wonder: what do these doggy-people do when they can’t bring along Fluffy or Fido? Do they forsake a fun evening on the town with good friends (biped friends, that is) to stay home and watch “The Dog Whisperer?” As a person with a normal appreciation for the canine species, I can’t imagine it’s a tough choice (a martini wins over Rover any day), but I’m sure many a pet parent out there begs to differ, as the gruesome evidence shows. And so, in the spirit of making everything better with cocktails (the Maya School of Philosophy), I present to you SKY BARK (not to be confused with Sky Bar, although I’ve met a human dog or two there in my day), LA’s newest hot spot geared specifically at dogs and their sidekick humans.

Located in Downtown LA, Sky Bark boasts a magnificent view of the quasi-urban skyline, but most interestingly, you don’t need to sneak in your doggie, nor bribe the hostess with a fiver to look the other way when she hears your bag yipping. Dogs are welcome, nay, required here. Finally, a place to enjoy Scooby snacks, drinks and a fun night out without being harangued with guilt about leaving the ‘kids’ behind. And I feel strongly that dogs make excellent babe magnets (hello, I’m a babe, attracted by magnets) and ice breakers. FiFi is sure to attract an interesting human or two who shares your love of Poodles, Schnauzers or good ol’ mutts. You can chat up the hottie at the end of the bar while his Boxer and your Beagle sniff each other’s whoosi-whatsits.

This joint isn’t just about boozing cocktails and canine schmoozing; it’s on a doggie mission. Sky Bark is a charitable event benefiting different charities each time. At its inaugural affair in March, Sky Bark raised over $4,000 for NEW LEASH ON LIFE, an organization committed to finding new, loving homes for dogs displaced by Hurricane Katrina. This Saturday May 20th, Sky Bark’s silent auction will benefit the MUCH LOVE ANIMAL RESCUE, a 100% non-profit, no- kill organization dedicated to reducing overpopulation, abuse and neglect of domestic animals (look at the puppers, just look at ‘em!). The auction includes items donated by various event sponsors: PETaPOTTY, TOWN AND COUNTRY MOBILE PET SERVICES (who will be giving less-than-glamorous doggies a complimentary star make-over), to name a few. Really, what could be better than getting out on a Saturday night and mixing it up to local DJ’s to benefit the lives of man’s (and woman’s) best friends? Even this conventional dog lover thinks it’s a beautiful thing.

So this Saturday night, May 20th, don your boogying shoes, grab your leashes, Luis Vuitton carriers, canine sweaters and halter up the Doggies. And join me at Sky Bark, located at 1026 S. Santa Fe Ave, in the Penthouse Suite. It’s guaranteed to be a howling good time (forgive me, I couldn’t resist, I’ll be your best friend). Visit www.skybark.com for more information.

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