No, the title isn’t yet another type. In college, I was friends with a dude named Mark, who I always thought of as More Money Than God, Running Amok On Drugs. Long story. Anyway, I was thinking about him when I read this story and wondering if I should have changed his mental name.
This post deals with dogs and cats that are richer than you. And you. Yes, and you as well. The top dog, literally, is Gunther IV, the German Shepherd: This dog actually received his inheritance from his father, Gunther III, a German Shepherd who received an inheritance from Karlotta Liebenstein, a German countess. Gunther IV has bought a Miami villa from Madonna and won a rare white truffle in an auction. Learn more about Gunther IV on a Web site devoted to him and those he hangs out with. He’s worth about $372 million right now, thanks to his growing trust fund.
Yes, you read that right. Gunther IV is worth almost $400 million (MILLION?!?). I’m not even sure I’m worth $400 period. But, geez, this is just crazy.
Gunther IV is followed, distantly, by dogs belonging to Oprah Winfrey. She’s set up a trust so when she dies her dogs will get $30 million to take care of them. Heh. I’ve set up a trust so when I die my little dudes will get some comic books. Hey, at least the recipients of my largess will be able to read, unlike Oprah’s slackers.
As it turns out, dogs aren’t the only animals to receive substantial bequests from daffy owners. Turns out that cats got a little bit here and there as well.
This is the classic rags-to-riches story. Tinker was a stray, regularly visiting Margaret Layne, an old widow. In return for Tinker’s loyalty, he was awarded a fortune. There is a $226,000 trust fund for Tinker, as well as a new home — worth about $800,000. Tinker has been joined by two lovely female cats, Lucky and Stardust. Of course, if Tinker returns to his wandering ways, the will strips him of his money.
I don’t know, but that last bit seems a little strange. I mean, either you’re odd enough to leave money to a pet or you’re not. Making the money conditional on the cat actually doing something seems even odder than normal. Well, normal for these type folks.
I know I couldn’t do something like this, and not just because I haven’t got this kind of money. I just don’t like the whole long-term commitment. Heck, I won’t let our little dudes get a parrot because I don’t want to be taking care of it after they leave the house.
Still, it does make me wonder: How good would I look in a German shepherd suit and would it fool the folks in charge of Gunther?
– Richard
Tags: 30 Million, A Dude's Guide to Life, Animals, Bequests, cats, Classic Rags, Comic Books, Countess, dogs, Dogs And Cats, dude, Female Cats, Friends, German Shepherd, Gunther Iv, house, Inheritance, Largess, little dudes, Man, Miami Villa, Millionaires, money, Oprah Winfrey, Rags To Riches, Rags To Riches Story, Slackers, Tinker, Top Dog, Trust Fund, Wandering Ways, White Truffle