Up close and personal with Edie, Naomi, and Candy

After the red carpet event for the American Humane Association's "Hero Dog Awards", we ventured out onto the second-floor patio overlooking the pool on our way into the Beverly Hilton ballroom. Everyone seemed a little more relaxed, away from the glare of the lights out front. It was a perfect time to ask if I could get a couple of photos with the stars!

Edie McClurg has performed in countless films and TV shows, most notably "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", "Planes, Trains and Automobiles", and "7th Heaven". She also worked with Paul Reubens in his original stage production of "The Pee Wee Herman Show".

Naomi Judd along with her daughter Wynona have sold more than 20 million country music albums. She is also a spokesperson for the American Liver Foundation and uses her celebrity to raise awareness about Hepatitis C, a disease she was diagnosed with more than 20 years ago.

  

Candy Spelling keeps busy on several charitable boards, including "L.A.'s Best", a reading program for city schoolchildren. She's a writer herself, contributing often to The Huffington Post, and released her autobiography, "Stories from Candyland" in 2009. I'm not sure who the "photo bomber" lady behind us is.

Betty White and I attend the Hero Dog Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills

Now this was an assignment I could sink my teeth into. On Saturday night, I attended the American Humane Association’s “Hero Dog Awards” ceremony in Los Angeles. You see, my company’s mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog, was named “official spokesdog” for this star-studded event, so when I got offered the opportunity to work the red carpet at the Beverly Hilton, I jumped at the chance.

Getting ready for my assignment...gotta make sure that camera works!

The award ceremony recognized America’s most courageous canines – ordinary dogs who do astonishing things: saving lives on the battlefield, lending sight, hearing, or medical assistance to their human companions, unselfishly aiding law enforcement, arson investigators, and search and rescue workers, or providing uncompromising love and compassion as therapy dogs. (And before you ask – no, Otis was not nominated this year. But there’s always 2013.)

Media gather alongside the red carpet.

OK – so it's an event that celebrates the amazing ability of dogs to take on extraordinary tasks, and who regularly befriend and comfort us, combined with a chance to get-up-and-personal with some real-life Hollywood celebrities? Did this night have my name written all over it, or what? Truly, it was a thrill to be there at the Beverly Hilton, (home to the annual Golden Globe Awards), jostling for space with dozens of photographers, camera crews, and other media types awaiting for the red carpet entrances. 

My assigned spot was near the end of the carpet, and there was a big concrete pillar to my left, so I couldn’t see who was approaching until they got pretty close. But I could hear the shouts and the whirring camera clicks from the big media representatives stationed near the front door. It was all really exciting, not knowing who was coming around the corner. Organizers provided us with “cheat sheets”, handouts featuring color photographs and the names of the celebrities who were scheduled to appear, just in case we couldn’t match up names with faces.

And when the march down the carpet began, it all happened fast and furious. 

John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of the Paul Mitchell hair empire, and owner/operator of many other businesses, including The House of Blues.

Lois Pope, of the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation, a longtime supporter of the American Humane Association. 

Sparky the Fire Dog hits the red carpet.

Jake Austin from Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place”.

Swimmer Ricky Berens, who together with Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, and Michael Phelps, won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London in the men's 4x200 freestyle relay.

Bailee Madison, the young star of the film “Just Go With It”.

Michael Vartan from the television series "Alias" and “Hawthorne”.

Lou Wegner from the films “Doughboy” and “Trouble with the Curve”.

The lovely and talented (and very nice) Naomi Judd. Naomi makes up one-half of the mother/daughter country singing act The Judds”. She was two feet in front of me, being interviewed by a video crew, and admittedly, I was a little starstruck. I took a few photos and then stood there smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. I caught her eye and she gave me a big grin. 

Oh my god! Edie McClurg! Who doesn’t love Edie McClurg, one of America's best character actresses? 

Lots of shouts from the front end of the red carpet meant somebody really important was coming my way. Suddenly, I caught sight of the blonde and tiny Kristin Chenowith, who was hosting the evening’s events. 

You may know Kristin Chenoweth for her turn as the original “Glinda” the good witch in Broadway’s “Wicked”. She’s also been on a bunch of TV shows, including two seasons on “The West Wing”, “Pushing Daisies”, “The Good Wife”, and in the Emmy-nominated role of April Rhodes on “Glee”.

Megyn Price from the TV series “Rules of Engagement” and “Grounded for Life”. This photo doesn’t do her justice – she is really gorgeous. 

Jake Pavelka, best known from the reality TV show “The Bachelor”.

And what’s a Hollywood party without Candy Spelling? Married to uber producer Aaron Spelling until his death in 2006, and mother of actress Tori Spelling, she’s also famous for having owned one of the largest and most elaborate mansions in Los Angeles, with more than 120 rooms. She sold it in 2011 for $85 million.

Lisa Vanderpump from the reality TV series “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” arrived at the event carrying her dog.

The very funny and down-to-earth Pauley Perrette from the TV series NCIS, who was more than happy to chat and pose for photographs.

Mark Steines, longtime co-host of TV’s “Entertainment Tonight”.

 The heroes of the evening were certainly the eight canines vying to be named top dog, but in my eyes, the real hero was Betty White, who was on hand to receive the American Humane Association’s “Legacy Award” for her tireless efforts to protect the welfare of animals.

Now really, who doesn’t love Betty White? Everyone was going crazy when she arrived, and she was hustled down the red carpet pretty quickly by her handlers. Funny and vibrant at 90 (did you know we share the same birthday? Different years), it was a real treat to see her in the flesh.

OK -- that's probably enough photos for one post. More coming soon!

Where it all went down for Whitney Houston

I was here, so I had to do it. Before I left the Beverly Hilton for my morning walk, I took the elevator to the fourth floor and walked all the way down to the end of the hall to suite 434. That’s where, last February, Whitney Houston was found dead, the end of a life of extremes: fortune, fame, drug addition, and bad decisions. 

I have to admit – my heart was racing a bit as I walked down the hallway. I didn’t want to get caught taking this photo or be accused of being sensationalistic. But I wanted to see where it happened. Love her or hate her, it’s hard to dispute the fact that Whitney Houston had a gift. Yes, she could be screechy and over-the-top, but I was always a fan of that voice. And maybe because she was the same age as me, it made me very sad to learn of her untimely death. 

We were actually here in Los Angeles the day it happened. In fact, we had driven by the Hilton that afternoon, during a tour of the city before getting on a plane that night to leave for our trip to New Zealand. Right before we got on our 12-hour flight to Auckland, I checked the news online and read about the tragedy.

We’re all born to a life with promise and hope and opportunities. But our paths are all different. I think that every choice we make – big or little - can lead us down different roads. We all make bad decisions sometimes. But by all accounts, Whitney’s unfortunate choices compounded over time and for her, there was no escape. Very sad. RIP.

A walk around Beverly Hills

I actually had a good night's sleep. That usually doesn't happen when I travel to the West Coast, given the three hour time difference. But I was up early, so I grabbed an extra large cup of Starbucks coffee from the bar downstairs and headed out to enjoy the early morning air. I strolled up and down the streets in the section of Beverly Hills near the hotel. A few impressions:

Given that it was early on a Saturday morning, I understand that it's going to be quiet. But it was really, REALLY quiet. Occasionally, I 'd hear the whir of a lawn sprinkler or the gurgle of a fountain, hidden from public view, or a few birds singing. It was lovely but a little odd. I'm guessing this is not a neighborhood given to a lot of noise.

Most homes in this neighborhood are big, many look like fortresses, surrounded by fences or high garden walls. And many homes are shut up tight and have bars across the front-facing doors and windows. Signs promoting the many security systems that in place dot front lawns and fences.

I love the tall palm trees and the tropical gardens. One home had dozens of multi-colored rose bushes in its front yard; I could smell their sweet perfume way down the street.

Arrival in Beverly Hills

It was a long flight but I have finally arrived in Los Angeles. Only to be stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffiic from LAX to my hotel. Was getting out of my cab at the Beverly Hills Hilton and pretty much ran smack dab into Candy Spelling. At least I am pretty sure it was her...

Winging my way west

I am about to board a flight to Los Angeles (via JFK) that will take me the land of movie stars and swimming pools. And there's an off-chance that I'll be rubbing elbows with Betty White and Joey Lawrence (yes, that dude from "Blossom"). Do stay tuned...

Man's best friend, indeed

While we were away in Annapolis, Otis was at MaryLynne and Ian's house, where he was no doubt pampered, played with, proudly walked, and showered with plenty of genuine love. Today, MaryLynne snapped these two photos of Otis, after she told him that Peter was going to pick him up. Perhaps he recognized the sound of Peter's name, or his internal clock told him it was time to be heading home, or just maybe, he completely understood MaryLynne's statement and was preparing for the big reunion. In any case, Otis waited at the top of the staircase, first standing, then finally relaxing near the top stop, but never taking his eyes off the front door where magically, one of his people would finally appear. Love these photos, MaryLynne. Thanks for sharing them with us -- and thanks so much for taking care of our best friend while we were away.