Would You Pay $55 Million for a Balloon Animal?

Someone will -- it's the famous "Balloon Dog" sculpture by Jeff Koons, which is being auctioned.

It's arguably the most famous dog in modern art -- Jeff Koons'Balloon Dog (Orange). It's also arguably the most famous pet in art. I don't see any cats vying for that title. I don't see any Warhol Parakeets and Renoir Sheep trying to take the trophy from Balloon Dog (Orange). (Art majors: There really aren't any Warhol Parakeets and Renoir Sheep.)

Christie's calls Balloon Dog (Orange) "one of the most recognizable images in today’s canon of art history," and we can't argue with that. We always recognize it when we see it. I think one time we thought it was a boat, but that was years ago. 

Christie's describes Balloon Dog (Orange) thusly: "This monumental work, with its flawless reflective surface and glorious color, is the most beloved of all contemporary sculptures. ... Creating the illusion of weightlessness with reflective stainless steel of gigantic proportions, the work is considered the supreme example from Koon’s highly desired and acclaimed Celebration Series."

"The Balloon Dog is the Holy Grail for collectors and foundations," confirms Christie's Brett Gorvy.

The reason we're telling you all this is because now, you can own Balloon Dog (Orange)! Here's how to get it: Just leave a comment on this post telling us why you love Balloon Dog (Orange) ... uh, and then (here's the important part), on Nov. 12, attendChristie's Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Sale in New York and bid something in the neighborhood of, oh, I don't know, $55 million. (The comment will do nothing. That's just us being funny.)

Yes, Balloon Dog (Orange) is going to fetch $55 million, according to experts, because everything is crazy. Also, because Koon's last big stainless steel thing to auction, Tulips, went for $33 million, andBalloon Dog (Orange) BLOWS DOORS on Tulips, according to people who love dogs (Christie's). 

If you don't win, don't worry. There are four otherBalloon Dogs out there, in yellow, blue, magenta, and red. They are all owned by people richer than the sun. 

You can also buy one for $49 at Park Life. Koon tried to sue the little store in 2011 for making a balloon dog, but he dropped the suit, because it turned out Jeff Koons was not the first person to make a balloon dog. 

Still, he made one hell of a balloon dog. What do you think -- Poodle? Australian Shepherd? Collie?