Millionaire pets!

They’ve always been privy to a taste of the luxe world, but now they just might rule it too! Say hello to the present generation of dogs and other pets that are getting as rich as human beings through wills and bequests, enjoying jet-setting trips and glitzy birthdays and weddings too.
While the world was abuzz with the late designer Alexander Mc-Queen having left a generous £50000 to his three Bull Terriers and talk show queen Oprah’s dogs are set to inherit £30-million from her, it seems to be a now and forever love when it comes to these new ‘will smiths’.Back home, Indians are going gaga over their pets too.
Will of power
Designer Maheka Mirpuri wouldn’t mind leaving everything to her Shihtzu Vodkaa. TV host Cyrus Broacha who also loves his German Shepherd Ruffo to death, light-heartedly remarks how he’s going to leave everything he owns to him, “including two kids, a pair of dumbells and a lot of unpaid bills.”
“If I have that much money, I’d definitely leave a sum for my pets so they are well looked after,” declares entrepreneur Aarti Surendranath, referring to her eight dogs. She feels this need to give comes from wanting to keep the pets safe. “Those who include pets in inheritances are made out to be cuckoo, but actually I think they are so evolved in their thinking that they are looking into the future. They read about the horrifying things that happen in the world to animals and want to ensure they are protected,” she states.
But while the sentiment may be right, not everyone’s agreeing. “I certainly don’t think it’s right to leave money to just one or two animals,” says photographer and dog lover Atul Kasbekar. “If you want to help a Bull Terrier, why not contribute the sum to an organisation that helps these dogs?” he asks.
Poncy parties
It’s la-la land and money no bar, when it comes to pet birthdays and weddings.
Business honcho Gayatri Ruia says she’s attended “absolutely fun” dog birthday parties with her St Bernard and is now looking forward to her Beagle Sunflower’s special doggie wedding that’s next week. “My daughters are planning the whole affair. They’re going to decorate the place, create a special menu, have outfits stitched for this and call their friends over,” she informs.
Broacha’s been for lavish canine bashes too. “We Indians are the world champions in wedding and birthday dos, so can our pets be far behind? The parties I have attended had huge laminated dog posters, pet photos, balloons etc.”
Insensitivity to others?
“I think often these owners have no time for their pets and guiltily throw them an annual bash. I wish they would pay attention to their pets,” feels Broacha.
Psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria says pet legacies throw light on the person’s relationships with his own kind. “While these people have found a ‘deep sense of connection’ with their pets, it may also show their own misplaced sense of belonging. The lack of human relations could arise out of being hurt or unloved. Perhaps they could be too busy relating to an alien gene pool to make time for people. It comes from a different need to be loved, that’s all.”
Inheritance of love
I In 1931, American heiress Ella Wendel left her pet poodle £15-million. I In 1996, actress Beryl Reid left her £1-million home to her cats. I In 1999, London bookshop owner Christina Foyle left each of her five cats £20,000 a year for “upkeep”. I In 2010, designer Alexander McQueen left £50,000 of his £16 million fortune to his three English Bull Terriers. I Recently, Oprah Winfrey let it be known that her canines will inherit £30-million if she dies.