It is Labor Day and a many note worthy events have occurred since my last blog. However, one headline could not escape my attention, “Real Estate billionaire Leona Helmsley left $12 million in her will for her dog Trouble.”

 The scriptures record the account of the Syrophenician woman in her desire to have her daughter healed, respond to a statement by Jesus Christ by saying, “…yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their master’s table.”  (St. Matt 15:27, St. Mark 7:28) But since Trouble, a white Maltese, received $12 million, perhaps I can get some crumbs from her table. It was reported that Trouble was hand fed with only gourmet food and will be entombed along side the Helmsleys in their $1.4 mausoleum when she dies.

When I heard the news, I had to consider how many human lives could have been positively impacted with $12 million. Having traveled to many impoverished areas around the world, (from India to Brazil… from South Africa to Jamaica… from New York to Los Angeles) my heart ached thinking that a dog had just received all that money.

Our family has been blessed by our dog, Mickie. A full blooded Bichon Frise, she is now 14 years old and has been with our girls as they matriculated throughout their entire school years from kindergarten thru the 12^th grade. Now that our girls are gone off to college, Mickie is still here (with a few ailments and ‘arthur” in her bones), and is yet still very much a part of the family. Whenever I come home, I can count on Mickie greeting me at the door with her tail wagging. In fact she is right here next to me on my deck as I write this blog. Certainly, man’s best friend. But make no mistake – I’ve not forgotten Mickie is a dog. And while she will be missed whenever that day comes, I cannot afford to lose perspective of who Mickie is and who I am!

Now in all fairness to Mrs. Helmsley, it is reported that she is worth somewhere between $2.4 & $4 billion, and her will calls for the cash from sales of the Helmsley’s residences and belongings to be sold and that the money be given to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. I did a quick calculation and for the sake of this exercise, let us say she is worth $3.25 billion. When you consider the $12 million left to Trouble, it equates to less than half of 1% of her worth. Or if you had a family income of $75,000, it would equal you spending $275 on your pet! Oops! I think we’ve spent more on Mickie in a year considering her food, grooming, visits to the vet, etc.

Hey Trouble, when you consider the overall picture, Mickie is getting more from us than what Mrs. Helmsley left you. Never mind – you can eat the crumbs from my table! Have a blessed day everyone.