A friend of mine has a great real estate listing in the Hollywood Hills. It’s a beautiful renovation with fabulous views, but its only shortcoming is that it has no yard. He figured that it probably wouldn’t appeal to buyers with kids anyway–it’s more of a couples’ retreat–but he never expected the reaction he’s been receiving.
“There’s no yard…for the dog,” the prospective clients all say.
The hills here are filled with dogs. You hear them barking through fences and howling at coyotes. You’d think that in a neighborhood that is so hilly and without sidewalks that the dog enthusiasts would be discouraged. But it’s just the opposite. The residents tackle the hillsides with vigor at the end of the day, walking, sweating, jogging and dreaming with their dogs by their side.
If you’re a “top dog” in Los Angeles and can’t return home at a decent hour to play catch with your four-legged friend, there’s a dog-walking professional in your life. For an outrageous sum (which certainly can be justified given the traffic and long commuting hours of most Angelenos), someone will come to your home and either play with your pooch or take them out for a walk.
And if you’re high enough up on the food chain, you travel by Net Jets so that you can take your beloved pet with you everywhere you fly. And, you buy a house with a dog run and multiple garages for one convertible and one off-road vehicle–the preferred way for your pet to travel around town.
If you live in the canyons of the Hollywood Hills, there’s a choice of several dog parks nearby where you can take your “baby” for a hike without a leash or even some doggie yoga (yes, this is true!). And you can visit nearby doggie bakeries and doggie boutiques with the latest pooch cologne or hound wear. In fact, the proliferation of services catering to the four-legged set is getting more extensive by the day.
It’s a dog’s life here in L.A. So I wasn’t surprised to receive an e-mail today announcing the arrival of a 24-hour exclusive, 7,500-square-foot Pet-O-Rama in our new neighborhood. “We have created a five-star resort specifically as a retreat for dogs,” states the Web site. The facility is part spa, grooming and boarding facility. A Canyon Ranch for dogs.
I couldn’t resist checking them out. Open 24 hours a day, your pup will be well attended to with numerous services available to your beloved hound. Hydrotherapy, dental hygiene, doggie massage, and even cage-free stays! This is ingenious! Imagine a world with stress-free dogs! No dog-bite litigation, no dead squirrels or rats in the backyard. No dug up garden. Rover in nirvana!
Now I have a few friends who think those of us who love our pets so much (as much as some of them love their kids) is a crazy thing. But the reaction today when I called around town couldn’t have been more positive. Everything from “Why didn’t we think of that” to “Have you checked it out yet?” was the response from my nearest and dearest. This place is going to be an instant hit with the L.A. dog-loving crowd.
And located only one-half block south of the new Kodak Theater, just imagine the possibilities. Doggie drop-off for the Academy Award nominees, doggie and a movie packages, “The Nutcracker” and a doggie bag. Where will it end?
Will the MLS start listing a property characteristic as “dog friendly”?
Franchise opportunities anybody?
Julie Brosterman is a consultant to the real estate technology, mortgage and servicing industries. After she spent 15 years in the title insurance industry, the Internet “spoke” to her and she has never looked back. She lives in Los Angeles and can be contacted at juliebrosterman@hotmail.com.
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