For Single Dog Owners, It’s More Than Puppy Love

For this group, the dog days of August are a time of great excitement.

The Single Dog Lovers’ Assn. offers single Angelenos a chance to mingle twice a month, their beloved canines in tow.

Last Sunday, about 45 participants, each with their dog, showed up for the month-old association’s second get-together at Westwood Recreation Park. Paula Warner, 34, a Brentwood resident, organizes the two-hour events, which are free and provide doggie treats, lemonade and “people treats.”

Warner says she has received at least 100 phone calls from interested dog lovers. (The association’s number is (310) 575-4156.) Soon, she hopes to organize group mountain climbing and dining at animal-friendly restaurants.

Participant Connie Kupper of West Los Angeles says the group offers the perfect opportunity to meet a man who isn’t found wanting when it comes to canine appreciation.

“I cannot tell you how many men have hit the road because they can’t stand the attention I pay to my pets,” she said. Kupper, 51, hopes to meet someone who “falls in love with my dog first, so then I can fall in love with him.”

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SLIPPERY WHEN WET: A man who allegedly stole a car and led authorities on an 80-m.p.h. car chase down Pacific Coast Highway soon ran out of options.

Make that swam out of options.

After plowing into two parked cars at Will Rogers State Beach, he abandoned the vehicle and made for the water, with deputies in hot pursuit.

“(He) ran into the ocean and started swimming away. I don’t know if Catalina was his destination or not,” said Sgt. Richard Gurr of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Lifeguards watched the man while deputies called for help from boat patrols, but they weren’t needed. After five to eight minutes, the man turned around and headed for shore.

“I think he finally got tired,” Gurr said.

The man, whose name has not been released, was booked for investigation of auto theft, reckless driving and assault with a deadly weapon for ramming the cars, authorities said.

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EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT: While Nine Inch Nails, Bob Dylan and Salt N’ Pepa perform at the Woodstock Reunion concert in New York, Steve Saltzman of Santa Monica will be hosting his own Woodstock at home.

Saltzman won a drawing sponsored by KLSX (97.1 FM), a classic rock station, for a “Living Room Concert.” The prize: Guess Who lead singer Burton Cummings will play a selection of songs in Saltzman’s living room before a group of about 20 people.

Cummings, who joined Guess Who as lead singer in 1965, stayed with the Canadian-based band through the 1970s, singing such hit songs as “These Eyes,” “American Woman,” “No Sugar Tonight” and “Laughing.”