Dog Saves Family From Fire Blamed on Cat

GREENVILLE, Maine - Thumper, a black Labrador retriever, is getting credit for saving a Greenville man when a fire swept through his home.

Roland Cote said his wife and their 7-year-old grandson were away when the blaze started early Sunday in a converted two-story garage. He said Thumper grabbed him by the arm to wake him, leaving just enough time for him to dial 911 before fleeing the fast-moving fire.

While the dog is the hero, a cat is the bad guy in this story.

Cote said the fire marshal investigator believes the blaze was started when Princess, the family cat, tipped over a kerosene lantern. Cote says he and his pets escaped safely, but he says Princess did get her tail singed by the flames.

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

Rich Bitch: Leona Helmsley's dog inherits $12 million

This story is awesome on soooo many levels.

You can read the official document by clicking here.

Helmsley leaves dog $12M, grandkids zilch

Leona Helmsley's dog will continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in a mausoleum. But two of Helmsley's grandchildren got nothing from the late luxury hotelier and real estate billionaire's estate.

Helmsley left her beloved white Maltese, named Trouble, a $12 million trust fund, according to her will, which was made public Tuesday in surrogate court.

She also left millions for her brother, Alvin Rosenthal, who was named to care for Trouble in her absence, as well as two of four grandchildren from her late son Jay Panzirer -- so long as they visit their father's grave site once each calendar year.

Otherwise, she wrote, neither will get a penny of the $5 million she left for each.

Helmsley left nothing to two of Jay Panzirer's other children -- Craig and Meegan Panzirer -- for "reasons that are known to them," she wrote.

But no one made out better than Trouble, who once appeared in ads for the Helmsley Hotels, and lived up to its name by biting a housekeeper.

"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will.

The mausoleum, she ordered, must be "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year." She left behind $3 million for the upkeep of her final resting place in Westchester County, where she is buried with her husband, Harry Helmsley, and where the pair have a view of the New York skyline.

She also left her chauffeur, Nicholas Celea, $100,000.

Everything else, including cash from sales of the Helmsley's residences and belongings, reported to be worth billions, she ordered sold and the proceeds given to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

Her longtime spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, had no comment.

Helmsley died earlier this month at her Connecticut home. She became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname "the Queen of Mean" after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion. One employee had quoted her as snarling, "Only the little people pay taxes."

Make your dog a TV star!!

Hey dog lovers!

I just found out ABC News is seeking dogs for a new television show. Details are below.

Also, we have some cool events coming up for you and your pup! Please check out the NYC Schnauzers playgroup today to sign up and learn more.

Warmest woofs!
Corris & Roxie pup



ABC NEWS SEEKS DOGS FOR NEW SHOW

My name is Michelle Smawley and I am a producer at ABC News. I am working on a segment for a new newsmagazine which will debut in August.

I am looking for folks who have footage of their dogs exhibiting particularly interesting or quirky or annoying behavior. For example, refrigerator opening, anxious outbursts while the owners are not at home, something noteworthy along those lines.

The perspective should be behavior exhibited while no one is looking or at night while most of the family is asleep. I'm also keen to find folks who might be open to allowing us to film. So, if you have a story please do not hesitate to reach me at the number below or e-mail me at Michelle.Smawley@abc.com.

Dog Philosophy ~ Part One

I can truly say having a dog has made me a more patient, kind, and playful person. Every day I'm rewarded with sloppy kisses, wet-nose rubs, and a wagging tail. What more could you ask for!

Here's some great quotes about dogs for you to enjoy. I'll post more at a later date.

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. -- Anonymous

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful. -- Ann Landers

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. -- Will Rogers

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. -- Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than she loves herself. -- Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. -- Andy Rooney

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made. -- M. Adkan