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

Veteran journalist and celebrity interviewer GLENN PLASKIN is the bestselling author of Horowitz: The Biography of Vladimir Horowitz and Turning Point: Pivotal Moments in the Lives of Americas Celebrities. His profiles and columns have appeared in the New York Times, the Daily News, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, Family Circle, US Weekly, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, W, and Playboy. His interview subjects have included such figures as Katharine Hepburn, Nancy Reagan, Calvin Klein, Senator Edward Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Leona Helmsley, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Donald Trump, Al Pacino, and Meryl Streep. His TV appearances include The Today Show, Oprah, and Larry King Live. He lives in New York City. Visit the authors websites at www.glennplaskin.com and www.katiebook.com.

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.

And thanks also to web designers Chris Matthias and Dan Root for creating katiebook.com.

And a special nod to Eileen Calvanese, horticulturist for the Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, who enlightened me about the plantings and landscaping of our neighborhood.

Finally, I am touched and grateful for the close friends and colleagues who have lavished their support on me. They include a brilliant team of coaches, Peg Wallis, Dr. Paul Weinfeld, Eric Mugele, and Mike Mole; the incomparable Owen Laster; the intrepid Susan Grode; my youngest friend, Bud Klauber; the always faithful Gregory Dickow; Michael Darvin; Freda Hertz; Scott Parris; Jason VanOra; Marvin Feuerstein; Jack Plaskin; Linda Belfer; Rob Rabin, David Winner, Dan Strone, Robby Baker, Paul Donzella, Bunny Shestack, Ellen Kruse, Geraldine McBride, Norah Berner, Norman Goldstein, Harvey Helfand, Jeff Schoenheit, Susan Ungaro, Vincent Smetana, Mickey Alam Khan, Harry Moskowitz, Sy and Esther Kornblau, and Justin Weinberg, to name only a few.

And, finally, a special thank you to Anthony Robbins, a true friend of the heart who has generously contributed to my understanding of the universal need for love and connection. Tony, better than anyone, taught me about the driving force of emotion and the power of proximity, two principles that have everything to do with the events that unfold in this book.

Horowitz: A Biography of Vladimir Horowitz

Turning Point: Pivotal Moments in the Lives of Americas Celebrities

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

The nations only not-for-profit registry promotes responsible dog ownership, donates millions to canine health research, assists with disaster relief, and provides purebred rescue grants through its AKC Humane Fund; www.akc.org

ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER

A nonprofit veterinary hospital that promotes the health of companion animals through advanced treatment, research, and education; provides free veterinary care to guide dogs and subsidized health care for the pets of the indigent elderly; www.amcny.org

ASPCA

The first U.S. humane organization established to fight against cruelty to animals, rescue animals from abuse, and share resources with shelters nationwide; www.ASPCA.org

BROADWAY BARKS

Created by Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore; fosters the adoption of homeless animals; promotes community spirit among shelter and rescue groups; www.broadwaybarks.com

CESAR AND ILUSION MILLAN FOUNDATION

Delivers humane education programs and promotes animal welfare by supporting the rescue, rehabilitation, and re-homing of abused and abandoned dogs; www.millanfoundation.org

GUIDE DOGS FOR THE BLIND

Provides guide dogs throughout the United States and Canada for the blind and visually impaired at no cost; www.guidedogs.com

HUMANE SOCIETY OF NEW YORK

A no-kill shelter that rescues abandoned animals and places them for adoption; offers low-cost hospital services; www.humanesocietyny.org

HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES

Seeks a humane world for all animals and fights against cruelty, exploitation, and neglect, advocating new public policies and working to enforce existing laws; www.humanesociety.org