There have been 19 break-ins in my Graham Hill neighborhood over the past month, including two of the three houses on my corner. So far my house has been spared, I'm guessing because of the loud, ferociously barking dog inside it. It's no secret my house has a loud, ferociously barking dog. When she's in the yard she loudly and ferociously barks at everyone who dares to walk by it. The kids in the neighborhood all know her by name. They often taunt her. She has a reputation.

Quite honestly, I've no idea what Feisty would do to an intruder. She's a sweetheart to us, but a tad crazy. And while we didn't get her for protection, I've got to admit I've always found the extra security she provides to be more than a little comforting. In fact, I can't think of a better personal security investment than a dog.

That said, I couldn't help but wince at the headline of this NY Times piece on the latest fad amongst our nation's ultra-wealthy: "For the Executive With Everything, a $230,000 Dog to Protect It."

Question: What kind of person spends upwards of a quarter million dollars on a dog?

“The dog has to get along with children,” Mr. Prather said. “The client is often a guy on his second family. He travels a lot, leaves his wife alone with the kids in a large house — maybe 30,000 square feet, so big you don’t even know what’s going on at the other side of the house. He wants peace of mind and a dog that his wife can handle. We don’t sell tank-stoppers.”

Answer: A rich asshole.