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Trouble is in Trouble! Leona Helmsley's Dog Receives Death Threats

A Maltese Terrier...

Imagine this. You're a white Maltese Terrier called Trouble. You happen to have Leona Helmsley (she of New York hotels fame) as your owner until she dies earlier this year. As a result, you inherit a whopping $12 million (£5.8 million pounds to you and me) and your future is guaranteed. Or is it?

In spite of having made provision for Trouble, Leona Helmsley may have, inadvertently, cut her pet pooch's life short by leaving her so much money AND for not getting her trained. Trouble enjoys "chef-cooked meals", is groomed regularly and has the best medical care - all adding up to an eye-watering $300,000 a year or £145,000. But but but Trouble has a reputation for biting people - allegedly - and his Mistress had a reputation as the "Queen of Mean", once saying that only "little people pay tax".

What a pair they must have made, Trouble and her Mistress.

In the meantime, as and when Trouble dies, any remaining money from her trustfund will go to the charitable foundations that have already inherited most of the hotel magnate's estate.

Trouble had better be kind to her temporary carers!

Woof Woof

Walk and Talk with Ginger Spice (and your pet pooch) in aid of Terrence Higgins Trust

The Lighthouse Gala Auction, held in London on Monday 12 March 2007, in aid of the Terrence Higgins Trust is bound to be a pretty special night out.  You know the score, lots of famous people donate something of their own, prestigious companies donate a high profile prize and then everyone bids to secure the lot of their choice.  

And this year is no exception; the lots are a real mixture of incredible experiences that you'll never forget.

If you check out the catalogue (http://www.tht.org.uk/binarylibrary/auction/auctioncatalogue2007.pdf ), you'll see JUST what I'm talking about...but these are my favourite...

BEHIND THE SCENES AT CORONATION STREET WITH ANTONY COTTON 
Donated by: Antony Cotton ITV 
 
Antony Cotton, who plays one of the show’s best loved characters, Sean Tully, will be your personal guide for an extremely rare and exclusive visit to the set of Coronation Street in Manchester. You and three friends will walk the cobbles of the famous street past the familiar homes of the Platts, the Battersbys and the Duckworths, finishing with a pint in the nation’s favourite pub, The Rovers Return.  Schedules permitting, you will also get the chance to see some filming and meet other members of the cast. 

Now Corrie is a dog-friendly place; would they allow me along too I wonder?

DINE AS MADAME DE POMPADOUR WITH 20 FRIENDS 
Donated by: Andrew Davis, Chairman, von Essen hotels 
(www.vonessenhotels.co.uk ) 

Nowhere does gala like Cliveden and this magnificent gala promises to be something else entirely! This will be a dazzling occasion: lunch or dinner for up to 22 people, in the Madame De Pompadour French Dining Room, a rococo masterpiece, at Cliveden in Berkshire.  You and your guests will enjoy champagne and canapés before a fabulous five course lunch or dinner prepared by Michelin award-winning chef Daniel Galmiche. You will also have the use for the day of this magnificent house, dedicated for over 300 years to the pursuit of pleasure. 

Cliveden welcomes dogs so you never know, you may get the best doggie bag EVER!

SPRING CLEANING WITH JOAN RIVERS AND TRACEY EMIN 
Donated by: Joan Rivers and Tracey Emin, Lewis Day Transport Plc 

Clear out the cobwebs with two of the most fabulous and interesting women in the world as award winning comedienne Joan Rivers and internationally renowned artist Tracey Emin visit you at home for some light cleaning and a jolly good gossip. To take place in London on a mutually agreed date before 12 March 2008. 

Just having these two in your home will be a riot!

And last but not least...

WALK THE DOGS WITH GERI 
Donated by: Geri Halliwell 

This once in a lifetime opportunity offers you and a friend the chance to walk and talk with the 
original icon of “Girl Power” . It is offered as a personal experience and is not to be used for publicity purposes (but the cameras follow Geri everywhere - some pap shots show her and her dog in a tangle with some dogs who live in my old neighbourhood). 

Now the thing is, the last time Geri was filmed with her dogs, she didn't pick up!  So while she may love dogs, is she responsible?  And remember when George Michael took her to Battersea, she only looked at the cute young dogs!  So, if you pick this prize, make sure you come properly prepared!

As the Terrence Higgins Trust says on its website, "Every 70 minutes, somebody in the UK is diagnosed with HIV"; the Lighthouse Gala is a great way to ensure the charity is there for them.  If the Mistress had enough cash, she'd bid to have a walk with George Michael and his dogs - he's a Labrador man - so it would definitely be the ultimate experience for her!

Woof Woof

Baby Spice, Emma Bunton Chooses Chocolate Labrador, Phoebe

So, another person has opted for the best dog in the world - a chocolate Labrador – yes, Emma Bunton, we salute your choice!

Or do we? I wonder, did Emma have any say in the matter when boyfriend Jade Jones surprised her with a gift of a dog (very high risk strategy and not to be recommended, to be honest)? If she did, well done her. If not, well done Jade.

Yes, Emma and new pup, Phoebe (named after Phoebe in Friends - don't quite get the link) will be enjoying fun and frolics in the park before their world is shattered with the arrival of...a baby. (Emma is pregnant, hence the arrival of a puppy to “practise parenting skills”.)

Most dog experts will advise to wait until the baby is born before bringing a dog into the family. Because, that way, the dog has nothing to be jealous of - well, that's the theory.

I wish Emma and her growing family well; I hope they realise what they've taken on. A chocolate Labrador is not low maintenance – particularly a young one - and, when you've just had a baby, the last thing you feel like doing is going for a long walk!

Woof Woof

Pop Princess Kylie Splits from Olivier Martinez. But what about Sheba?

So, another one of the world's worst kept secret is confirmed; pop princess, Kylie Minogue, has split from her long-term love, Olivier Martinez.

Of course, many people will be feeling sad for Kylie, particularly as Olivier stood by her during her breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

But, really, I reckon it was Rhodesian Ridgeback , Sheba - Martinez's dog - who helped Kylie through those bleak days. If you read her comments in The Mirror, Kylie says, “Sheba was very important during my treatment - there were many long hugs on the sofa.”

But it wasn’t all plain sailing:

“At first Sheba was a little resistant to the idea of there being another woman in Olivier’s life.

“There was an incident where she took a shoe from my wardrobe and chewed it to bits. It was a territorial thing, the kind of thing that happens when there are two women in a man’s life.”

But Kylie won her round; of course, she did. What’s not to love about Kylie?

And just like Diana, Princess of Wales, told the world how lonely she was with her photo outside the Taj Mahal, Kylie made it clear who her regular date was. Just remember, who did Kylie take as her date to Paris Fashion Week? Why Sheba, of course!

Martinez and Minogue have insisted they will “remain very close friends," but what about Sheba?

After all, Kylie penned her own children’s book, Kylie: The Showgirl Princess, which also featured Sheba. So, while Martinez will be forgotten, Sheba has been immortalised in Kylie’s work.

I do hope these two, at least, enjoy some sort of reunion.

Woof Woof

"We didn't want to be worried about napkins..." - Dog is Only Witness to Ashley Jensen's Wedding

Congratulations to Ashley Jensen, who stars with Ricky Gervais in Extras and now is on our screens as the seamstress, Christina, in Ugly Betty.

Ashley and her partner, Terence Beesley, snuck off to Big Sur in California to tie the knot. Only a minister and the couple's dog, Barney, were present.

Even though they didn’t want to make a big deal of it, they knew that Barney was a must-have guest! “We didn't want to be worried about napkins, you know? It was about us", she said.

And quite right too.

Woof Woof

PS Don't forget to vote for me in the 2007 Bloggies http://2007.bloggies.com/ - I'm in the Best Kept Secret section!

Chalky – gone but definitely not forgotten

Last week was not good for dogs of famous folk. Singer Pink's pet pooch, Elvis, a British Bulldog was found drowned in the star's swimming pool.

And then there was Chalky, beloved companion of celebrity chef, Rick Stein. But at least Chalky had lived a long and happy life as his master revolutionised fish cuisine in the UK and changed the face of Padstow forever. Chalky was 17 when he died last week but had been in good health until six months ago.

Many people will be famililar with Chalky's appearances on Rick Stein's food programmes, as they travelled together throughout the UK. Chalky was the ultimate cheeky chap with his antics, which included "biting a microphone, attacking crabs and jumping onto boats". Marvellous.

And now, according to bbc online, a Member of Parliament, inspired by Chalky and his very sad demise, has tabled a motion, "to reflect the 'heartache and distress' that families can feel when losing a pet". Conservative MP for Croydon Central, Andrew Pelling tabled the motion, saying Chalky "was a character that would be missed".

I'm not sure what Mr Pelling's tabled motion will achieve but I applaud his efforts to get pet bereavement recognised. It's a very serious and sad matter so I hope the honourable members will sit up and take notice.

So, as we bid a fond farewell to Chalky, we say thanks for the memories.

Woof Woof

Dog Saves Golden Globes Winner

This week's Golden Globes awards were a big occasion for Salma Hayek, producer of award-winning show Ugly Betty. Salma was able to celebrate the show's success with the rest of the cast and crew. But it could have been so different.

Earlier that day, Salma was feeling unwell and went to lie down. She was awoken by her pet dog, Diva - tugging at her arm and desperate to get her out of the house. It was then that Salma realised the house had a gas leak. Now that could have been really nasty and things could have ended very differently for Salma.

But why didn't America Ferrara (the award winner who plays Betty) say a little thank you to Diva in her speech? Were it not for Diva, the Ugly Betty team could have been in mourning, despite their awards.

Woof Woof

Whoops! I did it again

No, don't worry, Britney hasn't been flashing her bits and pieces again for the world to see. No, she's been there and done that! We don't need to see her Hollywood or c-section scar anymore, thank you very much!

Instead, Britney has been hitting the headlines again because she was pictured with her son, rather than a drink and a cigarette. And this is news, you may wonder?! Yes, it is!

Well, now she's a "single mom", Britney has been rebalancing the family since the exorcising of hubby, Kevin Federline.

On Wednesday, Pets of Bel Air sold Britney a new Chihuahua called... Snow White! Cute. A snip at $3,200 (£1650). However, Britney's other dogs - Lucky and Bit Bit (also chihuahuas) and Lacy (Maltese terrier) - have not been seen for some time. Maybe they've gone with Kevin and what Britney is planning to do is recreate the whole Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs thing but with dogs! Watch out, she could be trailed by Dopey, Happy, Grumpy, Doc, Sneezy, Sleepy and Bashful, of course.

Woof Woof

Dita von Teese or Marilyn Manson....Hmmm. Tough choice. Not.

I see from the New York Post that some more pets are going to be victims of divorce. This time it's Greta and Eva (two dachshunds) and Lily and Aleister (two cats) who were living with their owners, Dita von Teese and Marilyn Manson. But not for much longer because these two lovebirds have decided to call it a day and divorce.

Personally, I don't get Marilyn Manson but then again neither does the Mistress! But two of the Mistress's close friends really do get Mr Manson and purchased some of his artwork in honour of their marriage. Oh yes! So I have been up close and personal with the hand of Mr Manson, as it were!

Apparently, Ms von Teese fled their apartment and took all the animals with her and so the custody battle is about to begin. Except that Mr Manson is only after the cats! Well, what a surprise; "he misses the felines most". What can you say about a man who's only interested in some pesky cats?! Not much, let me tell you.

Of course, I know who I'd want to choose - it has to be Dita. Every time! She may be the face of Mac cosmetics but it's what's underneath that counts. Isn't that what everybody says?

Woof Woof

Lily Allen and Maggie May Reunited

What a bad week it has been for dogs and the way that people use them for their own end. I am not diminishing the suffering of the poor little girl who died; that was unforgivable and a whole separate issue.

Anyway, dogs are still hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Look at what has happened in Liverpool - pit bulls seized because they have been trained for dog fighting!

I've seen how people treat these animals and it isn't pretty, let me tell you. I've walked through estates where young men goad their animals to be fierce fighting machines. Yes, dogs have become some people's weapon of choice.

Anyway, enough ranting - well, almost enough because we have some good news. Singer Lily Allen has been reunited with her English Bull Terrier, Maggie May. And all because the publicity paid off and the guy who had "bought" Maggie May decided the reward offered for returning the dog was worth more than hanging on to Maggie May and maybe trying to sell her on.

Check out Lily's blog on MySpace (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=36707169&MyToken=33fd8df7-1ef6-4cc0-b3a6-97acedeee9dfML) to see the full story. It's all very sad but with a happy ending because at least Lily and Maggie have been reunited. I've posted my thoughts on Lily's space and asked her to continue to speak out about stolen dogs.

While idiots - yes, idiots - continue to buy dogs from the back of the van, etc - then pets will be stolen. And there is no doubt, Maggie May was targeted because she was a pedigree.

So, rant over - at least we have had one good news story this week. Wishing you all a very happy weekend.

Woof Woof