Heidi's Hot Dog Report

Hi, it’s me Heidi, not Diane, to tell you that recently I have been too busy to write this column because I have been too busy to write this column. But right now I thought it was time for an update on my life and the things that I have been doing in our neighborhood because you should always know all of the news, like they tell you on the TV at 11 p.m.

One reason I didn’t write so much was that I was a hot dog!  That is my joke about the news that it was so hot in  the Valley for awhile that everybody was sweaty and grumpy and eating gelato right here on Tujunga Boulevard. My joke is funny because a hot dog is me, but also a long and delicious food that grows inside a barbecue grill. 

 It was particularly bad for us dogs who like to ride along on the errands because we couldn’t stay in the car alone, not even for a second (we were reminded by the sad story of Maru). That meant I couldn’t go along to anywhere where they wouldn’t let dogs in.  Luckily there are a lot of good places where peoples like me, as well as other dogs who are almost as well-behaved and charming as myself.

One place I went to was to a very important business meeting with my Patch editor Mike Szymanski.  We went to Jinky’s on Colfax Ave. where they have the outdoor seating. It was breakfast in the morning so it was still cool, plus they always give nice cold water to those of us who have to sit under the table instead of in a chair. I recommend it.  I also want to say thank you to Mike for 3 years of editing the Patch! Mike  had whipped cream and chocolate sauce on top of his coffee. Only peoples who have edited the Patch for three years are allowed to have this.

Then here’s my thing that’s a big tasty secret: At Office Depot on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, there is a magic lady named Janet Lital who has biscuits for all of us hot dogs!  She works at the counter where packages can get sent to all over the world.  While I was eating my biscuit she told me a story of how once she was out sick but still a man and his dog came in and the man demanded to know where she was and whether his dog could get a biscuit.  I would not do this, that is rude.  But if you are polite you can go into there and have a treat with Janet, even when it’s cool outside.

One more place you can’t go but I did and had fun: To my dentist!  My dentist (actually Diane’s dentist) is Dr. Steven Shiba in Encino. Actually you could go there but first you have to make an appointment.  Dr. Shiba's hygienist  (who is also his sister!) is Jean Taguchi. They are very smart and they both like me a lot and let me sit in the room while Diane gets her teeth cleaned.  I get to stay cool and hear all kinds of stories from Jean about her son in college, plus Jean says I am better behaved than most of the children who come in with their parents!   Therefore my advice is: Take your dog to your dentist, not your children.  Kids are going to lose their teeth anyway, no matter what you do.