Heidi, Los Angeles Times reporter Diane Haithman’s German shepherd, gets a treat from trainer Mark Forbes while Jonah the Lab looks on at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank. Forbes trained Jonah along with 21 other dogs to play Marley in the movie “Marley & Me” and gave Haithman tips on getting a paw in the door.
Los Angeles Times reporter Diane Haithman with Heidi and Jonah, whose trainer warned the writer that it’s rare for a privately owned dog to appear in a movie because of the long training time that separates owner from dog.
Haithman and Heidi stroll the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood before heading to the Kodak Theatre, where Heidi was to make her debut in the musical “Annie.” Despite the noise and distractions, and the stagehands and the “orphans,” Heidi did exactly what she needed to do onstage.
Heidi gets attention from Bill Berloni, the head animal trainer for the touring production of “Annie,” and star Madison Kerth, 11, who plays the title character. Berloni has been a trainer for 32 years and trained the dog for the original production of Annie. He advised Haithman to get hired out as a “screen extra with pet.”