0

“KATIE THE WONDER DOG”–Makes Its Debut On YouTube Today!

Posted April 16th, 2010 in Katie, Reflections by Glenn Plaskin
Katie in Her Favorite Chair

Katie in Her Favorite Chair

Ever had a long conversation with your dog? Better than any therapist, and often more sympathetic than a mate, Katie, the star of my upcoming book, was always ready to listen, her huge brown eyes flecked with gold, focused and alert. Over a period of fifteen years, I confided pretty much all my feelings to her, all the ups and downs of life.

Katie in Pink

Katie in Pink

But our communication wasn’t only in one direction, for Katie was an empathetic, curious dog, socially outgoing and astutely intelligent. Right from the start, I got into the habit of having conversations with her, eye to eye, and I could tell that she clearly understood the gist of what I said:

“Now, listen up, child,” I told her when she was young. “You’re a good little dog, you are, but you have to learn your manners. No biting, no scratching your nails on the furniture, no getting up on the white couch, and no accidents. And if you’re good, you’ll get a cookie or a nice piece of chicken.” Her ears immediately pricked up at these key words.

Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this story »

0

The Youngest Woman I Know: The Resplendent Liz Smith

Posted April 16th, 2010 in Celebrity, Katie, Reflections by Glenn Plaskin
Liz Smith

Liz Smith

Just a few weeks ago, at the celebrity Manhattan hot spot Michael’s, there she was, the unstoppable Liz Smith, ebullient as ever as she hosted a reception for her championed charity, Literary Partners. This is a fantastic not-for-profit devoted to bringing the gift of reading to thousands of adults who need a helping hand. Also there was the great novelist, Barbara Taylor Bradford, one of the charity’s most devoted supporters, a ‘woman of substance’ with a generous giving spirit.

Liz Smith

Liz Smith

That night, as I observed Liz Smith, I couldn’t help but notice how absolutely young she is–in her thinking, appearance, and energy level. While she jokingly refers to herself as “the 2000-year-old gossip columnist,” she’s a mere 87, though she looks decades younger.

And while many her age are physically ailing, marooned in retirement homes, or at best golfing or playing cards, this peripatetic wonder remains fully engaged, not missing a cultural event or party in NY while reigning over her syndicated newspaper column and penning her daily wowowow.com column too.

Read the rest of this entry »

Comment on this story »