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When someone leaves behind an estate worth over $2 million, it’s no surprise his surviving family and friends might fight over some things. But it’s a shock to learn the most hotly contested item in Ron Callan Jr’s estate is his 13-year-old golden retriever, Alex.

Callan, who worked as a partner with his father in a salvage business, committed suicide on New Years Day. Callan’s father was named executor of the estate, and he had been caring for the dog during the day while Callan Jr’s former girlfriend was taking the animal overnight.

Both Callan’s parents, the ex-girlfriend and his fiancée were seeking custody of Alex - in a battle that raged so bitterly, a lawyer was appointed to represent the best interests of the dog.  Paul Royal, Alex’s attorney, commented that, “At first glance, the petition seems almost frivolous, but after speaking with all parties, it is evident that this is a highly emotional issue for all involved.”

On Monday, a Memphis judge handed down his decision - Callan’s parents are to split custody of Alex, swapping “ownership” every two weeks. They are also jointly responsible for any care-related expenses for the dog.

Rabid fans of the Harry Potter stories are being taken for a ride by one elaborate internet trixter. The hoax, perpetrated by someone with oodles of spare time, involves a book of approximately 250,000 words being posted to a number of sites frequented by fans - fans who’ve been so blinded by their potter lust, they believed this book to be the next novel in the series by JK Rowling.

Bloomsbury, publishers of the Harry Potter series, have firmly denied that the book presently available online is anything to do with the official collection of tales. Apparently only the author, and two top bosses at the publishing firm have read the real deal - and all indications point to Harry’s demise.

In the phony book, Harry winds up marrying Ginny Weasley - sure it’s sweet, but hardly lives up to the name Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The publisher is adamant that the real ending will only be revealed when the real book is on the shelves and people have read it. The seventh book is scheduled for release on July 21.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is shrouded by one of the tightest security operations in publishing history - when the book is finally released, it will be transported in locked boxes bound with chains.