Diane Haithman was an Arts Staff Writer for the Los Angeles Times until October, 2009 and is now a frequent contributor to Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood, Awardsline and other publications. Prior to joining the Times, Diane was West Coast Bureau Chief, associate film critic and Hollywood columnist for the Detroit Free Press, based in Los Angeles. Diane also serves as VP of marketing for her husband's Tanzanian safari company, Infinite Kayak Adventures.
Diane is co-author of the book “The Elder Wisdom Circle Guide for a Meaningful Life” (Penguin/Plume 2007). An excerpt from her novel Dark Lady of Hollywood, which was a finalist in the prestigious William Faulkner Creative Writing Competition (novel-in-progress category) is included in A Voice from the Planet, a literary anthology from Harvard Square Editions (October 2010).  Heidi “Boo” Feldstein:  Heidi is a German-Belgian shepherd rescue found in a storm drain in Houston, TX with her litter of half-Lab puppies, born when Heidi was less than 1 year old. Her rescuer was Sonya Fitzpatrick, formerly the “Pet Psychic” on Animal Planet.  After moving to L.A., Heidi turned actress after being discovered by an animal talent scout while playing ball in a Studio City park.  She has since appeared onstage at the Kodak Theatre in Annie, had a recurring role “The Mean Dog” in the web series Sir Glen of Glenwood for Performing Arts Studio West and served as an extra on Desperate Housewives. Diane tracked Heidi's performing aspirations for the Los Angeles Times.  This is the dog's  first column.