Starpups owner Stephanie Duke (left) and friends

Starpups Depot is to Doggywood what hip boutiques like Kitson, Madison and Lisa Kline are to Hollywood. The store carries the necessary tools to transform your dog into an instant star. Preening pet owners can engulf themselves in a playground of lavish outfits like a metallic pink harness in a snake-like material, trendy totes like the Pet Flys Lucky Horseshoe Pet Carrier (in a to-die-for teal and faux giraffe print) and chew toys with a purpose (proceeds are donated to cancer funds). Chic beds sculpted to fit a Fido-king circle the ceiling, pro-pet t-shirts flood the display floor and doggie expert guides line the shelves. There is an extensive selection of accessories, doggie home decor and delectable treats to keep all breeds (both human and canine) comfortable and well-groomed.

Owner Stephanie Duke has turned her passion for four-legged barkers into a profession with a purpose. This woman gets into her work. As I perused the store discovering more unique dog paraphernalia, like Jenny Langbehn's "97 Ways to Make a Dog Smile" (#33 - If you do floor exercises or yoga at home, let your dog join you on the mat, especially for moves like a Downward Facing Dog), I noticed Stephanie concerning herself with a customer who had not yet mastered the potty training technique. Duke gregariously offered her advice on some of the tricks of the trade to combat unruly bathroom habits.

Starpups boasts an extensive inventory of designer doggie accessories

Amidst all of the trinkets and red-carpet-worthy apparel are gorgeous portraits of beloved best buddies by Robyn Feeley of Bungalow Art. She creatively combines the elements of the abstract, contorted body frames of Pablo Picasso and the bright, bold colors often used by Henri Matisse to create one-of-a-kind works of art. Among the beautiful caricatures strung along the walls lies the inspiration for Starpups, Stephanie's dog Scooby, who passed away last year. Scooby's spirit is definitely in the air and his playful side protrudes from the vast array of puppy pastime pieces offered at Starpups.

In addition to the toys and doggie adornments, Starpups also has aspirations to host programs to enrich the relationship between owners and their dogs. Stephanie plans on introducing a local trainer to her dog community who will come in once a week to work on specific issues. She also plans to implement a monthly Adoption Day, where she can help place stray dogs with eager owners. These plans will see the light after Starpups gets its paws off the ground, but for now Starpups remains an avid supporter of dog rescue by donating a percentage of its overall sales to rescue groups committed to providing dogs with better homes.

Starpups is an upscale dog boutique catering to discerning dogs and their people, and its worth a stop if you like to dress your canine in karats, costumes and eye-catching carriers.

Starpups Depot is located at 25818 Hemingway Avenue in Stevenson Ranch. Call 255-2208 or visit www.starpupsdepot.com for more information.