Leona Helmsley Leaves Billions to her Dog
Jul 4th, 2008 by Teri
As lawyers of the grandchildren of Leona Helmsley wrangle the legalities of Leona’s will which left approximately 8 billion dollars to her Maltese dog named Trouble, but will her wishes be carried out as she instructed? There must have been a good reason why she did not leave anything to her grandchildren and what good is a will if it is overturned in a courtroom?There is a message in this legacy for Trouble her beneficiary and that is : a dog is a woman’s best friend “ and she loved hers dearly. Some animal protection groups could use the funds to protect dogs and cats from many threats to the pet population and donations to these groups could go far to assist animals in danger.
The Human Society could do a lot for dogs and animals like solving the pet explosion problem, banning dog fighting, and taking care of dogs left after disasters like the floods along the Mississippi River. Independently a woman in China is responsible for saving 100 dogs abandoned after the China floods.
Think of putting an end to puppy mills which requires stricter controls of dog breeding inhumanly for profit. There could be a fund set up for those who cannot afford healthcare for their dogs due to the economic constraints today of rising prices. Another benefit could be the increased adoption of retired greyhound dogs that deserve a good caring home after their years of running for the profit of their owners.
Protecting your dog in a Pet Trust is a good idea for most pet owners to make plans and think about who will take care of your dog in case you can no longer do so. Dogs are often abandoned after their owners die or become too sick to take care of them any longer.
Tips on Preparing for Emergencies:
1) Find a relative or friend who knows your pet and can take care of it in an emergency.
2) Write down your vet’s name, address, and phone number for care of your dog.
3) List medications, feedings, type of food, exercise and the daily exercise habits
of your dog.
4) Set up a living trust for your dog or a dog fund, in case something happens that specifies how you want your dog to be taken care of and your wishes.
In this day and age being prepared for unforeseen disasters will insure your dog or any other pet will be safe and comfortable for the rest of its life.
Written By: Teri Salvador
Tags: Leona Helmsley leaves billions to her dog, dogs, emergency care, pet trusts, Human Society, puppy mills, dog fighting, dog fund.
I think that she had intended for the money to be used for her dog’s care and that it should be used to help pets everywhere.
I hope it doesn’t go to the lawyers since that would be a great waste.
Can Trouble also make a Will? If not what happens to all that money when Trouble goes? In the meantime I hope Trouble has a good guardian and someone to look after the financial interests.
There is no harm in leaving some money to Pet Protection, but someone who leaves this amount of money to a dog is not in their right mind.
These billions would be tied up in companies employing people who along with the relatives left behind have now to hope they can salvage something from this mess. To be inconsiderate towards your family and so many others is simply madness.
Hi Hype:
Trouble has health problems also, so that maybe a great concern. The relatives will I am sure make claim to the funds. Just proves you need to make arrangements with a pet trust fund, and a reliable caretaker.
Dear Mark:
Point well taken and I guess she did not get along with her relatives enough to make such a severe statement in her will, which was her point. Maybe mad, maybe angry …its her money.
As much as I love my dog, I just can’t see the point in leaving such a large sum of money to a dog. It is obvious that Leona didn’t like or get along with her relatives, but that is a lot of money.
I just hope that some of that money is used to help some of the shelters that are housing pets and are in great need of funds.
Diana
Hi Teri,
Wow, what a story! I’m not surprized though, she was a very unhappy woman, oops rich unhappy woman! I hope some good comes from all of this. Families need to stick by one another. These kind of things only create more hardship and grief for humankind and pets.