Published: August 11, 2008 03:58 pm         

Ms. Takes: Canines sure could benefit from Leona’s load of cash

Remember Leona Helmsley?

Her famous statement, “Only little people pay taxes!” brought the attention of the IRS for a closer look at her tax returns and she was invited to enjoy free room and board in a federal facility with we “little people” picking up the tab.

Still, as a friend of mind once said, “Even the IRS can’t take ALL your money.” Leona departed this world leaving $12 million to her dog, “Trouble”, now living on the canine equivalent of Easy Street. Then, in tribute to the dog world in general she earmarked up to $8 billion (yep that’s “B” as in boy! Hard to believe, but that’s what the article said!), toward the welfare of dogs generally.

Some of the money has been used to create a sort of fun park for the exclusive use of dogs in the Washington Square area of New York City. I guess that’s a good cause, at least for the dogs in that area, but it brought to mind a bit I read the other day that if every man, woman and child in this country adopted four stray dogs (that’s eight for me and my Best Friend!), there would still be strays wandering our streets.

Most of those dogs are unable to access Washington Square, unless some of that $8 billion could be used to transport bus loads of them to the Big Apple.

Dismissing what $8 billion could do toward reducing the national debt, think what it could do for human beings in need of health care!

But, in keeping with the late Mrs. Helmsley’s concern for the dogs of the world, what about health care for animals in a broader area than Washington Square?

Suppose, for instance, that Humane Shelters across the country could get a slice of this lavish pie. It could be put to good use in the health care of dogs down on their luck. Even better, why not use some of this inheritance to provide spaying and neutering for dogs (and cats) to help eliminate the problem of homeless strays?

Consider also an endowment for the training of seeing eye dogs or therapy dogs or those dogs who assist the hearing impaired? Mrs. Helmsley may have felt nothing for humanity, but training dogs for a humanitarian purpose would serve both dogs and people.

Maybe “Trouble” won’t be able to use up the $12 million and will see that it goes to a cause Mrs. H overlooked. Certainly Trouble won’t be wondering where the next filet mignon is coming from.

Liz Ciancone is a retired Tribune-Star reporter. Send e-mail to opinion@tribstar.com.