Our Beautiful Little Bichon, Chammi, Has Gone To Doggie Heaven

Our beautiful little Bichon, Chammi, jumped onto a twinkling star on Saturday night (September 21) and went up to Doggie Heaven. Waiting for her was Beaji, her beloved companion of a lifetime, whom she had missed so much. Beaji had gone ahead three years ago, much to our sorrow.

Chammi became ill unexpectedly on Friday evening (Sept 20) and was rushed into the Blue Pearl Veterinary Hospital, one of the best in Manhattan. She had suffered a seizure. Our wonderful vet, Dr. Barbara Kalvig was in constant touch with the doctors at the hospital, and with Mohamed, who runs our household, and looks after Chammi when we are away. Chammi was seventeen years old, but with her glossy white fur and sparkling brown eyes she looked like a puppy, and everyone remarked on her beauty.

We were in Los Angeles when this happened, but we caught a plane on Saturday morning and were back in time to say farewell to our darling pet, who had “written” so many books with me. Now, when Bob and I look up at the stars at night we can see Chammi nuzzling Beaji, as she always did. They are reunited at last. We will miss them both, but they will always be in our hearts.

So Long To One Of Television's Greatest Stars: Sir David Frost 1939 - 2013

Bob and I were very saddened to learn of the death of Sir David Frost. He was far too young to die, and he will be missed, not only by his wife and three sons, but all of his friends and colleagues around the world.

I did many television shows with David over the years and always enjoyed them. He was quite extraordinary, an incredible interviewer, and managed to get so much information out of his interviewees, myself included. This is because he was so very warm, friendly and chatty. Under his benign gaze he made everyone feel at ease. Like everyone else, I always forgot about the camera when talking to him. And then... WHAM came the unexpected question, asked in such quiet tones. Everyone answered including me.

He was a superb journalist and one of television’s greatest stars. I don’t believe anyone will ever forget the Richard Nixon interviews on American television. Not one network wanted to finance him to do those interviews. So he financed them himself. And what a hit they were!

I remember when Bob and I rushed to see the play about the Nixon interviews and then the movie, Frost Nixon. I ran into David in New York and he told me how much he had enjoyed the play and the movie. And so did we.

Last year, Bob and I went to dinner at Scott’s Restaurant in London, and who should we bump into but David and his wife Carina. We chatted for a while, catching up and reminiscing. Now he is gone. But he will never be forgotten. He was one of the greats of television, and there was nobody quite like him.