Nicole Richie enjoys a relaxing hike with her dog before bringing her divorced parents together for family dinner

With a Thanksgiving feast ahead of her, Nicole Richie made sure to squeeze in some morning exercise on Thursday.
The diminutive 32-year-old looked even smaller than usual as she took her big German Shepherd for a walk in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday.

Dog day: Nicole Richie looked even smaller than usual as she took the family pooch for a walk in Los Angeles, California, on Thursday

The Simple Life star didn't have to keep the large dog on a lead as the pet, named Ero, obediently stayed by her side.

Instead the mother of two - Harlow, five, Sparrow, four - threw the rope leash around her neck with the fashionista making the dog accessory seem like fashion accessory instead.
With fall temperatures finally arriving to California, for her walk Nicole wrapped up against the cold in a pair of tight black leggings, that showed off her thin pins, a big grey hooded sweatshirt and a black beanie.
Taking her dog for a walk is a regular activity for Nicole, and on Tuesday the big dog met an even bigger doggy friend - a rottweiler - so Nicole posted a picture of the pair looking hungrily at her.

Undercover star: With fall temperatures finally arriving to California, for her walk Nicole wrapped up against the cold in a pair of tight black leggings, that showed off her thin pins, a big grey hooded sweatshirt and a beanie

The walk was no doubt also great for Nicole to get some time away to collect her thoughts prior to a big Thanksgiving lunch, made more stressful by the fact that her divorced parents - Lionel Richie and Brenda Harvey - were both coming.
However, the stress was not that her parents would fight but rather the complete opposite - that they would end up back together.
Nicole - who was accompanied by husband Joel Madden - joked she would have to keep her folks apart, even though Lionel has been dating the same young mystery woman since 2012.
The 32-year-old captioned an image of them at lunch saying: 'If these divorcees get drunk & hook up tonight, I'm gonna be PISSED. Happy Thanksgiving.'