Three Maryland dogs inherit $800,000 estate

updated 7:15 p.m. ET Dec. 29, 2007

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - They're not as loaded as Leona Helmsley's pooch, but three Maryland canines are plenty rich enough to live high on the dog.

The dogs — named Buckshot, Katie and Obu-Jet — inherited $400,000 and a house in Hagerstown with the death last year of owner Ken Kemper. Altogether, their estate is worth about $800,000.

The beagle and two Labrador mixes were strays when Kemper adopted them. They now live at their house with caretaker Roy Grady.

They might not be aware of their wealth, but they do know that on one night a week Grady treats them to spaghetti dinner, with meatballs and garlic bread.

"They love it," he said. "They know when it's coming on Friday, too. They have that time clock."

Top-notch benefits
They also get health care. When Katie got out of the yard last summer 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.

Helmsley's dog, a pampered but reportedly ill-tempered Maltese named Trouble, inherited $12 million from the late hotelier. But unlike that pooch, Kemper's pets seem content romping in their yard.

"They're the most loving dogs," Grady said.

Kemper worked for the Voice of America and commonly brought home stray dogs when he returned from overseas assignments.

The executor of Kemper's estate, longtime friend Karin Anderson, said that when the dogs die, she will probably donate the remainder of the estate to an animal charity because that's what Kemper would have wanted.

"He really loved animals," Anderson said. "The man's heart was so big, it needed its own ZIP code."

More from msnbc.com RedTape: DirecTV thrives on ‘deception,’ lawsuit says Doctor's mission to save Ethiopian kids' hearts   Bad Santa: Gifts that say you’re old, fat or hairy  What hit Italian prime minister? Take our weekly quiz Send your holiday pictures to troops Send us your memories and images of the past decade

MORE FROM WONDERFUL WORLD

Wonderful World Section Front

Man pays $72 for taco, says ‘Merry Christmas’ Two-legged dog gives hope to disabled vets Scout returns purse with nearly $2,000 Kitten survives 120-mile ride underneath SUV Mystery pair at diner spark cascade of giving UPS driver finds, returns $5,200 ‘Napoleon’ returns to library after 60 years Half-naked Santas run for charity Homeless brothers in line to inherit billions Woman delivers grandchild on Thanksgiving Wonderful World Section Front   Add Wonderful World headlines to your news reader: