I told the rep I'd have to think about it.
Next, at the suggestion of the obedience trainer who worked with Heidi just after we brought her to L.A., I began researching the insider's club of Hollywood's professional animal companies. Surely they could handicap the likelihood of Heidi's ascent into animal stardom?
After watching a German shepherd named Rowdy play a pivotal role as a dog wrongly accused of murder in an episode of "NCIS," I called the producers and discovered Rowdy's trainer, Shawn Weber. During a set visit, Weber was not encouraging. Most show business animals are not pets, he said; they are owned and trained by the animal companies. He referred to Heidi as a "private party animal."
Her chances of getting work?
"About as realistic as me being Tom Cruise."
Weber added that, if she beat the odds, Heidi would face a problem that plagues many human actors: typecasting. German shepherds are seen as police dogs, guard dogs or attack dogs. The role of the house pet is more typically played by a sweet-faced Labrador or a golden retriever.
UNDETERRED, my next call was to Animal Actors 4 Hire, a company once run by Moe DiSesso, who for nine years was the animal trainer for "Seinfeld," and an animal provider for movies including "Willard," "Independence Day" and "Annie."
I spoke with his widow, Sue, also an experienced trainer, who seemed to know her stuff, including the staggering odds against Heidi making it in the industry. She reluctantly agreed to meet me for coffee.
DiSesso's first observation about Heidi? "She's going to have to get a speak on her." Translation? "She's got to learn to bark on cue." (It was another confirmation that if Heidi ever landed a movie or TV role, she was more likely to be chasing bad guys than frolicking with toddlers.)
Another potential problem: Like many large dogs, Heidi suffers from joint problems. DiSesso worried that she would not be able to do the repetitive action sequences often required of German shepherds. Heidi's options might be limited to non-active parts, including TV commercials or print work. On the plus side: Heidi had started to receive regular acupuncture treatments even before her attempts to enter show business.
As DiSesso talked, one thing became clear: If Heidi was going to make it, she was going to need a union trainer with connections.
