Going to the dogs

Can your dog say "Leona Helmsley"? If not, get him (or her) to start practicing now because according to The Mail Online the hotel magnate left a trust valued at several billion pounds to provide for the care of dogs. Yes, yes, of course, her trustees will use their own discretion in distributing the funds (say "Trustee" Fido) but if they are being true to her wishes they will make sure the lion's share goes to the dogs. Known as the "Queen of Mean" Leona had made her intentions quite clear - in a statement in 2003 she had stated that the trust "should be used to help destitute men and women, and provide for the care of dogs". A year later, she removed the "destitute men and women". Lawyers, though, may contest the statement since it was not included in her trust documents or will. Not that being in her will would help - a court last month reduced the inheritance to Leona's dog by £5 million (to a mere £1 million) on the grounds that she was mentally unfit when she made the will.