Plaskin - Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors Into a Family

Katie is a dream come true to the various families living on her floor in a New York apartment. Her heart is so big that she adopts them all, making you wish you were one of them.

Mary Tyler Moore

I picked up this book to glance through it and suddenly found myself unable to put it down. This warm, touching, tender, and loving memoir is probably the best book Ive ever read about a dog. Glenn pulls you in to this moving story instantly. Even people who are not crazy about dogs will love this tale.

Barbara Taylor Bradford

God can appear in many disguiseseven as a dogbringing people together in a spirit of love. All I can say is that I felt really good after reading Glenns superb bookthere can be no higher endorsement.

Wayne Dyer, New York Times bestselling author

I hate to brag on Glenn Plaskin because he is a famous fan of yours truly. But, I have no choice! His book on Katie just zeros in to touch your heart. I am a dog lover myself and something of a dachshund specialist but now, Im thinking, if I had a cocker spaniel, maybe Id get one like Katie. Dont miss this book!

Liz Smith

Glenns book is a perfect reflection of the man who wrote itengaging, open-hearted, and very warm. His story proves that the true and small pleasures in lifefriendship, loyalty, and trustare the ones that matter most.

Calvin Klein

It is not surprising that Glenn Plaskins innate talentshis insight and human touchare wonderfully brought to the forefront in his new book KATIE UP AND DOWN THE HALL. Its a significant story well worth readingGlenn has done a terrific job.

Donald J. Trump

KATIE UP AND DOWN THE HALL runs up and down your heart on four little darling, padded golden feet. This story is for dog lovers, New Yorkers, for those who have a family, and those who wish to. A celebration of loveits for everyone.

Valerie Harper

The healing energy of Katie the dog and pure love and friendship in this book will melt your heart.

Bernadette Peters

Glenn has done a masterful job in telling this love story. I raced through it when I was traveling, and got teary eyed. Katie is a great neighbor and the true definition of a New Yorkerintelligent, adventurous, assertive, protective, warm, loving, kind, generousand a joy to know.

Ivana Trump

KATIE is an emotion-packed story that will keep you reading to the very end. This is no ordinary dog.

Michael Imperioli

Plaskins engaging narration and Katies ability to make a community will endear this book to readers.

Publishers Weekly

Its been said that the family you come from isnt as important as the family youre going to haveand Plaskins heartwarming story brings that truth to life. Plaskin and Katie leave you with a roadmap for life.

Irene Pepperberg, PhD, bestselling author of Alex & Me, professor of Animal Cognition at Harvard and Brandeis Universities

KATIE was a joy to read from start to finish. Plaskin brings to life his many adventures with this mischievous and loveable dog, and the family that she helped bring together. All dog lovers should put this one on their must-read list!

Billy Rafferty, author of Happy Dog: Caring for Your Dogs Body, Mind and Spirit

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Copyright 2010 by Glenn Plaskin

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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First eBook Edition: September 2010

ISBN: 978-1-59995-385-4

To Mom, Dad, and to my sister Debby

with much love and gratitude for always being there.

P eople often say that writing is a lonely, isolating profession.

And it can be, though Ive never really experienced it that way.

I guess its because Im always bouncing ideas (and multiple drafts) off of my patient circle of friends, family, and colleagues, and of course, my editor.

In this, the most personal book Ive ever written, I was lucky to have so many wise souls on my sideand on the other end of the phone.

First, heartfelt thanks to Harry Helm, my dog-loving editor at the Hachette Book Group, whose insight, love of the subject, and incisive editing have been altogether indispensable. Without Harry encouraging me to write this at our fateful first lunch, there would be no book. Harry and his able team in both New York and Nashvilleincluding Shanon Stowe, Pamela Clements, Jody Waldrup, Adlai Yeomans, Gina Wynn, Chris Murphy, Martha Otis, Kelly Leonard, Valerie Russo, Kallie Shimek, Jaime Slover, and Karen Torreshave done a fantastic job making this book come alive.

As always, Im grateful to my supersonic agents, the great Jan Miller, a dear friend and fellow animal lover who encouraged me to strike out in a new direction, and the vivacious and efficient Nena Madonia, wise beyond her years. Together with the entire gang at Dupree Miller, they did a superlative job.

I am greatly indebted to my longtime friend and editorial advisor, Ed Friedel, who provided invaluable suggestions, insight, and advice on each succeeding draft of the manuscript as well as meticulous corrections. His is a rare talent.

In addition, Im very lucky to have worked with publicists Lynn Goldberg and Angela Hayes, both unforgettable in their strategic devotion and vision for Katie.

I must also turn back in time and pay tribute to my longtime magazine editor, Ellen Stoianoff, who loved Katie and supported the original idea for the Granny Down the Hall article. She would have been so delighted to see the entire story told.

A strong memory is never quite enough when writing a true-life story, so Im also beholden to the many people who witnessed the events I describe and further illuminated them for me by sharing precious anecdotes, recollections, and details.

First and foremost, I was fortunate to draw from the memories of John Freed, and his son, Ryan, two starring figures here, who shared their firsthand reminiscences, providing an intimate link to the seven-year period they lived down the hall from me.

Next, I am thankful to Michael Simon, who generously reviewed the manuscript, providing keen observations on the people hed known so well, and to Paul Huberdeau, who contributed crucial details to later chapters in the book.

Equally essential were the contributions of Michael Gordon, a once-in-a-lifetime friend and sage adviser. His impeccable memory was especially helpful in writing chapter fourteen.

In addition, I was greatly aided by the kindness of Naia Kheladze, Lee Blake, Rose Dicker, and Helene Meltzer, each of whom provided extended interviews about events outside my own firsthand experience.

Many thanks also for the perspectives provided by Scott Simon DMV (Katies vet), Stuart Cohen, Jeffrey Cohen, Ramon Aizarna, Barry Meltzer, Bea Aron, Norah Berner, Anita Diggle, Robert Simko, Manny Norona, Robert Defendorf, and our buildings doormen, Felipe Dominguez and Dave Scott-Duns.

Im also grateful to my close friend Brandon Williams and to Diego Costa for producing the Katie book trailera project that would not have happened were it not for book marketing expert John Kremer. I am so thankful to my friend Ann McIndoo for introducing John to me.