BARKING MAD: LOVE ME, LOVE MY DOG

Everywhere Britney (left), Geri Halliwell, Kelly Osbourne and Paris Hilton go, their tiny dogs go too. When you're a celeb, it seems you can take your hairy little pooch into fancy restaurants, gyms, bars and department stores. But surely ordinary people are requested to leave the premises whenever they try and sneak past security clutching a yapping furball, right? Well, we decided to find out - so Flic Everett borrowed Choix Choix the Chihuahua, and spent the day seeing what the reaction was to her mini- mutt...

THE FANCY RESTAURANT

CELEB: Britney, the Queen of small dogs, is owner of Lacey and Bitbit the Chihuahuas. She likes to take them everywhere she goes - including top restaurants. Recently she ran into trouble at the 5- star Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, when she took Bitbit to their Picasso restaurant and ordered him a pounds 100 steak. Top chef Julian Serrano had no idea where his dish was destined to end up. A colleague said later, 'It was a total insult to his talent.'

PLEB: Choix Choix (pronounced Shoo Shoo, and nicknamed CC) and I decide super-chic restaurant Establishment is the ideal lunch venue. We aren't turned away at the door - in fact, he's cuddled, cooed over and treated like a visiting rock star by staff. But will the chef cook for him? 'I don't think it'll be a problem,' says the waitress. It isn't. 'Of course I'll cook him a steak,' laughed head chef Ian Morgan. 'He's gorgeous, I'd be happy to serve him whatever he wants.' So, either CC is way cuter than Britney's dog, or top chefs in Manchester are less pretentious than in Las Vegas.

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THE BAR

CELEB: Tori Spelling, star of Beverly Hills 90210 and filthy- rich heiress to the Dynasty dynasty is never far from her pug dog, Mimi. She recently attended a charity function in the bar of California's Viceroy Hotel, with Mimi - who was sporting a special outfit for the occasion.

PLEB: One of the poshest bars in Manchester is Harvey Nichols' Second Floor. It's all shiny granite, spindly bar stools and staff with cooler hair than the customers. So where better to take Choix Choix for a light cocktail? Nobody said a word as I swanned through the tables with CC peeping out of his bag. It was only when I unpacked him and seated him next to me at the bar to peruse the menu that he drew attention to himself. 'I'm very sorry, but we can't serve him a drink,' said the bar manager pleasantly. I asked if he could join me while I had a Cosmopolitan. 'Oh yes,' she smiled, 'He's no trouble is he? We'd only object if he was upsetting other customers.' Judging by the chorus of 'Ahhhhs' floating in the air from the lunching Cheshire set, he was doing just fine. Maybe his diamante collar helped.

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THE POSH GYM

CELEB: Geri used to take her dog Harry to Holmes Place Gym in Kensington and there are no reports of anybody refusing him entry. Perhaps he liked humping iron to work off that Good Boy choccie drops binge.

PLEB: Choix Choix wasn't enjoying being stuck in his special leather carrying bag too much, so I let him out and cuddled him to soothe his pre work-out nerves as we approached the reception desk of the swish Holmes Place Gym. A few regulars did a double-take as he turned his little head and fixed them with a baffled stare. I was all set to swing confidently through the turnstile and change his tiny jumper for a miniature Adidas jacket, when the manager came hurrying over. 'You can't bring dogs in here,' she explained politely but firmly. 'It's a health and safety issue. There's no way I can let you in.' Having said that, she did ask if she could give him a cuddle before we went on our way. CC was very understanding about the whole thing.

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THE HAIRDRESSER'S

CELEB: Paris Hilton and her Chihuahua Tinkerbell go together like hair and peroxide. The ultimate It Girl is surgically welded to her teacup pup, and has allegedly spent up to pounds 10,000 on claw manicures and grooming sessions for her little friend. So it makes sense Tinkerbell should accompany Paris to the hair and beauty salon for extra grooming tips.

PLEB: CC and I wander into Vidal Sassoon, hoping for a consultation. The receptionist pulls a worried face. 'I'm not sure dogs are allowed in,' she explains. 'I think I'll have to check.' It's true, there could be a health and safety issue for little dogs, what with hot tongs, sharp scissors, and clients in high heels. But stylist Bruce seems to think it'll be OK. 'Well, if he stays on your lap I can't see a problem,' he shrugs. 'We couldn't let big dogs in though, it'd be mayhem.' So CC perches on my knee while Bruce consults - turns out CC has better hair than me. A few glamorous clients seem slightly disconcerted by his presence. Maybe they don't want to be seen looking less than their best - even by a dog.

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(well, they weren't sure at first)

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