Dog's life? Not when he's worth $373,000

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Electric News

JASPER'S is a true rags-to-riches story.

Abandoned and left to die, he now has a 130,000 ($373,000) fortune and leads a life of luxury on a 500-ha estate with his own stretch limo to ferry him around.

He is a doberman-labrador cross and probably the most pampered dog in the UK today.


He eats nothing but sirloin steak, Dover sole and fresh mussels and wears a diamond collar.

He was about to be put to sleep at the Battersea Dogs' Home in London when he caught the eye of Ramsden Brewery heiress Diana Myburgh.

He had barely settled in his new home when his owner died at the age of 74, leaving him and another dog, Jason, 25,000 each. Jason's death soon after made him heir to 50,000.

Canny investments by his next owner, Sir Benjamin Slade, Mrs Myburgh's son-in-law, have increased the amount to 130,000.

Sir Benjamin says that Jasper pays his way, reported The Metro.

'He coughs up 9 a day for housekeeping, and I'm about to petition to put it up to 11. Special requests are extra. He likes to buy little presents for himself and a couple of doggy friends at Christmas,' he said.

He has had to fend off gold-diggers who offered Jasper their dogs' paws in marriage.

For all his money, Jasper is not the world's richest pet.

That would be Gunther IV, an alsatian which is worth 180 million. He inherited it from his dad, Gunther III, who was left 60m by German countess Karlotta Libenstein. Shrewd investments have tripled the amount and given Gunther IV his own butler, reported The Mirror.

Then there is Toby Rimes, worth 45m. He is a descendant of Toby, who inherited 15m from New York owner Ella Wendel.

Next on the rich pooch list would be Frankie, who was left 3m and lives with fellow pets Ani and Pepe Le Pew (both cats) in a 10m mansion in San Diego in the US.

Even when the dog has to make money on his own, he can do quite a good job. Take Moose who plays Eddie in the comedy Frasier. He earns 6,000 an episode.