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Ending 2007 on a High Note

Who knew the death of Leona Helmsley would inspire good in others?

In a previous blog I covered the passing of the “Queen of Mean,” which was followed by Courtney’s blog regarding Helmsely’s decision to bequeath $12 million of her fortune to her beloved pooches.

The idea to bestow riches on four-legged loved ones seems to be catching on because now various newspapers are running headlines that tell of three Maryland dogs who just inherited a pretty penny.

The canines – named Buckshot, Katie and Obu-Jet – inherited $400,000 and a house shortly after their owner died. All tolled the dogs now have an estate worth about $800,000.

To say the beagle and two Labrador mixes are pampered pooches might be an understatement. Since their owner’s death they have remained in their house with a live-in caretaker who says one night a week they are treated to a spaghetti dinner, with meatballs and garlic bread.

They also reportedly get top-notch health care. The furballs’ caretaker told one newspaper that when Katie escaped from the yard recently and was hit by a car, she made 40 visits to a veterinarian’s office to mend her broken legs and hip. The bill was close to $6,000.

Moving on… this next “feel good” tale involves a guy some people in Brownsville, Texas called the “King of Mean” because of his caustic personality.

Still, for nearly seven years Melina Salazar catered to the man’s every need each time he came into the restaurant she worked at.

Over the years the man became Salazar’s most loyal, albeit cranky, customer. According to the veteran waitress, she made sure his food was as hot as he wanted, even if it meant he burned his mouth. And she smiled through his demands and curses all the way up to his death in July.

Turns out the man appreciated her service. Two days after Christmas the dead man’s attorney notified Salazar that he left her $50,000 and a 2000 Buick in his will.

Which just goes to show it pays to be nice to mean people.

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This entry was posted in In The News and tagged , , , by Michele Cheplic. Bookmark the permalink.

About Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. She spent the next ten years as a television anchor and reporter at various stations throughout the country (from the CBS affiliate in Honolulu to the NBC affiliate in Green Bay). She has won numerous honors including an Emmy Award and multiple Edward R. Murrow awards honoring outstanding achievements in broadcast journalism. In addition, she has received awards from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for her reports on air travel and the Wisconsin Education Association Council for her stories on education. Michele has since left television to concentrate on being a mom and freelance writer.